Downshifting

Down shifting this year in 2011? I am. I think its time my family and I start living up to what we preach a little more! There are so many things I want to do in life still yet and I can't seem to get started on them. I think it's mainly because I've always had the all or nothing mindset and want to tackle it all now. I'm trying to stop that! Right now we are where we are and I need to realize I don't need a home in the country to start. I can do it right now in the Cottage in the city. I can...

-buy used
-cook from scratch
-try to get more sleep
-read more
-no fast food (my family in particular has gotten so used to this lately)
-learn to knit. I already can sew some, and crochet some. Need to master those!
-love my family unconditionally
-grow vegetabe and fruits. I have two gardens, one at my grannies and a small raised bed here. We have a blueberry bush but it didn't produce last year. I'd like a blackberry bush and grape vine. and to finally be able to grow strawberries(no luck in the past)
-teach my children a simple way of life doesn't always mean boring.
-seriously consider homeschooling to acheive above goal.
-make my family the top priority, which they have always been!
-grow some herbs
-buy recycled products and recycle as much as I possibly can.
-learn a new craft, ie; photography, wood working, knitting, and etc.
-begin composting
-learn to can foods:)
-visit the sick and elderly friends and family I never seem to find the time to do now:(
-learn to love myself for who I am :) because who I am is awesome!
-loose the excess weight by walking and eventually jogging in my neighborhood.
-use natural cleaners
-don't buy disposable
-take my own grocery bads to the store
-shop at farmers markets for the things I cannot grow
-learn to live instead of watching someone else's life while mine speeds by
-blog more about my journey ;)
-find good recipes for all natural shampoo, and conditioner, and soap
-reduce the make-up I use, not sure that is possible I don't use alot to begin with:)
-be more conscienous about where my products are made who is making them and what conditions are they made under.
-be a part of the solution and not the problem in other words.



This list is getting very long and overwhelming so I'm going to start with the first one and go from there. I want to be the change I want to see, and it's starting with me right now!