I made a video at the start of the month sharing my new bullet journal set up, and I wanted to make a complimentary blog post to share the details I went over, because when you’re trying to design your own bullet journal some people do better with a blog post over a video.

Let’s start with the supplies I use:

Rhodia dot journal: This is my third year using this journal. The quality is great and that’s why I keep going back, but I wish they had more color selection.

Clear ruler: I use a 15 cm clear ruler to draw all my lines. I don’t know how people make straight lines without rulers, and let’s just say I’m particular about creating straight lines.

Mechanical pencil — I just use this for outlining before committing with a pen, marking out spacing, etc. You could use any sort of pencil, but I just have a mechanical one.

Zebra Mildliner Highlighters: I was informed that these are actually MILDliners not MIDliners, whoops. These are new for me this year and I’m excited to incorporate them into my BUJO. I wanted a way to separate between different types of entries on yearly and monthly calendars. I have a different color for travel, races, calls or interviews, appointments, events, birthdays + FemmeHead.

Now my favorite part, fine liners. They are life! The thinner the better. I use these day to day for everything else in my BUJO — the headers, spreads, you name it.

Kuretake Mangaka 01 : I like this one a lot and use it for day to day writing.

Pilot Razor Point: This one is just slightly thicker so I’ve been using it to write in my gratitude journal.

Pigma Micron 0.3 and Pigma Micron 0.2: I love these pens and use them day to day

Marvey Le Pen: This one is actually thicker then most of the others so after I used it for setting up my bullet journal I decided to not use it in there anymore.

Ok, now onto the set up, layout and spreads.

Starting with the fresh year I create a page for my 2019 goals, which is still currently blank besides the header because I haven’t gone through the brainstorming process of choosing my goals. And don’t worry I’ll be sharing that in an upcoming video.

The next spread is my yearly overview. Last year was my first year of doing this, and it was a much needed addition. I love having a space where I can see everything that I have coming up, as well as a place to put an event or travel when it’s planned so it’s not forgotten.

My yearly overview is a two page spread with six months on each page. I have a small calendar of each month at the top of each section followed by a blank space under each to write out important dates and happenings that month.

This year’s overview is still pretty blank because I don’t put things in here until they’re finalized, such as travel. So far you can see where I’ve highlighted people’s birthdays, and a few races I know the dates for.

Next is my monthly overview. This is a single page calendar that is a minimal design of the date and day of the week down the left side of the page. I separate the weeks with a line between Sunday and Monday.

On the following page is my content calendar, which has a similar layout to my monthly overview but then I add a few check off boxes on the right side for “Notes” “Create” and “Upload” so I can keep track with where I am with each piece of content I’m creating. I often bulk create content so it’s helpful to know where I’m at.

From there is my brain dump which is a two page spread broken up into four sections labeled, “Content”, “To-Do’s”, “Research” and “Ideas” because these are the most common/general categories for what my brain dump consists of anyways.

And the final spread is my weekly overview. It is two pages with the top half of the first blank for my to-do’s followed for a space for Monday and then Tuesday with the week on the top of that page. The following page is Wednesday through Sunday, with the weekend sharing one section since I usually have less those days.

So instead of going spread to spread completing each before moving on to the next I usually go through and do each step for each spread before moving onto the next step. And for me those are:

— outline, mark spacing in pencil

— write everything with a fine liner

— go back and thicken downstrokes with heavier pen

— go back with fine liner and cross t’s and dot i’s

— go back and erase all the pencil

— draw all the necessary lines with ruler

— highlight headers using ruler to get straight line

— fill in calendar

— highlight events, etc. with different colors

And the great thing about using a bullet journal system is that you can customize it, tweak it and change it completely as you create it. So, if I get bored or don’t like a design I can do it differently next time.

[Things are hidden in my photos of my BUJO for privacy, duh. Promise it’s not that exciting. And affiliate links are used in this article, which don’t cost you anything, just give me a teeny little kickback if you use that link and buy the item. So, help a sister out.]

Staying Minimalist | Keeping a Want List

September 07, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in minimalism

So, I want to share one of the best things I’ve done for myself in the realm of minimalism.

And no it’s not decluttering my things.

It’s creating and keeping an ongoing “want list”.

So, you know when you’re scrolling through social media or walking through a store and you see something and think, “OMG I need/want that!”

This is a list to curb those instincts.

When I have that rush of “gimme gimme gimme” instead of buying whatever it is, I put in onto my list.

And it sits there.

That’s right, I’m not allowed to buy it right away.

This allows me to research and find the perfect one of whatever it is.

I can find the style I want, the company I want to buy from and the price I want to spend.

I can keep an eye out for it in the thrift stores, search online, ask around.

And then when I do buy it whether that's a month, or several months later I’m in love with it beyond that initial high you get from getting something new.

And do you know what?

Sometimes I don’t buy it.

Sometimes it sits on my list, sits and sits, and then I go to put something new on my list and I’ll look back over it and see an item and go, huh, you know what I really don’t want that anymore.

And then I delete it from my list, and yes, there’s a lot of satisfaction in that. I just saved X amount of money.

Let’s talk about my current want list to give you an example of this.

So, at the moment I’ve put my want list into my Wunderlist app on my phone. That way I have access to it at all times.

Here’s what’s on it:

+ a Keep cup

+ lace barrette that can show

+ toe rings

+ acne pimple patches

+ underwear

+ tight black tank

+ striped linen pants

+ hair bandanas

+ delicate gold jewelry

+ black loafers/flat mules

+ new iPhone

So, right off the bat, I recently bought that bralette, some new underwear and I found three bandanas in the bottom of Michaels drawer. Boom check those off the list.

I want a keep cup because at the moment I only have a stainless steel coffee container that isn’t really an on the go option. I need something with a lid. But I’m not at the point where I’m ready to commit to a keep cup. Maybe I’ll find a better option I like more.

There’s no rush really to what’s on my list.

I haven’t looked into any toe rings or delicate gold jewelry yet.

And as I’m thinking through this blog post I’m remembering other things that I’m on the hunt for. I’m on the hunt for a pair of cloth (not denim) overalls.

And I’m waiting for the new iPhone to be released so I can get the 8 at a cheaper price.

I can add links to certain things I like. Such as those flat black loafer mule things, whatever they’re called. I can spend some time looking for the ones I want, and if I find a few I like I’ll add the link to the document, but I don’t buy it yet.

It’s mostly just about letting stuff sit on there.

Do I need a new pair of shoes to survive? Or acne pimple patches? Absolutely not.

It’s a practice of patience and really figuring out whether I need/want something or if it’s just that rush of “I need this now!"

And I’m happy to report that this has helped curb my shopping by a lot, and I wasn’t a big shopper to begin with.

Do you have a want list or the equivalent of it in your life? How do you use it? Or what do you do to stop and think before you buy something?

I Kind Of Want to Delete Facebook...

July 11, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in business, minimalism

I’ve got a very unimportant dilemma I’ve been mulling over:

Part of me wants to delete my Facebook.

I created my Facebook as a sophomore in high school circa 2006 because of a boy. Yup, a boy.

And I was a very active Facebook user through high school and college. Posting pictures, commenting on other people pictures and posts, sharing funny quotes or thoughts. Oh, and let’s not forget about messenger.

Nowadays I actually only really use my Facebook to message friends and be a part of an 'event’ every now and then for a friend’s party or something similar.

But I just looked it up and you don’t have to have a Facebook account to use messenger...

It’s been years since I posted photos, Instagram has replaced that for me. And Instagram is honestly probably my current favorite social media platform. I’m a very visual person.

I don’t use Twitter as much as Instagram, but it has replaced Facebook as the place to post thoughts that pass through your head, articles and that sort of stuff.

I know Facebook has a purpose, especially when it comes to running your own business, because “everyone is on Facebook”. But to be honest besides business it just isn’t relevant to my life anymore. So much of our lives revolves around social media, especially when you run a brand/business online. I know I've made that choice, but I don’t really fully utilize if for FemmeHead. (I know, shame on me!)

Sure, I have a page for FemmeHead and I’ll share stuff there when I post something new, but nothing revolutionary is happening on there.

So, those are my thoughts. I want to delete it, but haven’t because I feel like I’m 'supposed' to have one for work. What are your thoughts? Has anyone deleted their Facebook?

Benefits of a Capsule Wardrobe

June 22, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in minimalism, personal finance, mind

I’ve been really into the benefits of things recently. And one of my favorite topics is minimalism and one branch of that for me is my capsule wardrobe. While you 100% don’t need to have a capsule to be a “minimalist” it is something that I have found beneficial for nearly two years now (to be honest I can’t actually recall how long it’s been).

One obvious benefit for me has been less laundry. I go through phases of wearing strikingly similar outfits for months at a time. You know the t-shirt and jeans sort of thing. And I will rewear the same pair or two of jeans all week long, and sometimes the same two or three shirts.

And I’m going to let you in on a secret: I only do my laundry once a week. And I know that’s probably pretty common for most people but even at the end of the week I have to combine loads with Michael because often times I don’t have enough for a full load of laundry.

For me it’s not the collecting of dirty clothes and putting them through the washer. It’s the folding and hanging back of of said clean clothes that isn’t my favorite part. And with a capsule wardrobe this process has been cut down so much from where it used to be. Not to mention you could go weeks without doing laundry because of everything you owned. So when it did come time to do laundry it was a downright nightmare!

Next on my list of benefits: easier decisions each morning. I like to savor that good morning brain juice for important decisions to be made, not on mundane things like what should I wear today. I can literally open up my closet, grab an outfit in 10 seconds, put it on and feel great about how I look that day. Because I don’t have a bajillion pieces of clothing to sift through each morning I can save my brain power for work.

And the next one kind of goes along with that, but basically you like everything you have to choose from, which in turn helps define your personal style. I don’t keep things that don’t fit me, I don’t like how they look or that I feel don’t reflect my style. While I don’t think I could describe what my personal style is to you, I guarantee you can see it via what I wear. I don’t hold onto old pieces that I’m not into anymore.

Moving right along: you only have season appropriate clothes to choose from. This means I have my capsule full of sweaters in the winter and flowy dresses in the spring and summer. I don’t have to wade through everything I own to find something that works for the weather that day. I know that from the selection I have set out in my closet there is going to be a simple, quick option for me.

And finally I think my favorite perk is having a capsule has made me a more conscious consumer, I don’t get swept up into fads that pass quicker than you can blink and in the end I’m saving a boatload of money. I used to go to the thrift store to just see what they had. And because everything was just a couple bucks I didn’t feel guilty buying whatever it was. But I ended up with so many things I never wore for one reason or another, and I just had way more than I could actually wear.

I now think through everything I buy, and it makes the process so much more enjoyable but also when I finally do make the purchase I am so much more excited about it, and that excitement lasts. And although now I’m more willing to invest a bit more into something in the long run I’m saving money because those things last longer and I’m not just buying cheap crap willy nilly.

Why do you like having a capsule wardrobe?

Positives of Minimalism For Me

June 08, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in minimalism, mind

I could go on and on about all the benefits of the world of minimalism (and I do), so today I wanted to just share another list of all the positives that have come from this transition in my life.

+ It's easier to clean

You may think that you’re very organized with all of your different containers and storage spots in your home, but clutter is still clutter no matter how you arrange it.

I have a spot for everything I own and know exactly where it goes. This also makes keeping track of stuff a lot easier too. (I’ve found one of my superpowers is remembering where something is at, even Michael’s stuff.)

And when you have less that means less stuff to put away when it comes time to cleaning. Think about having a five-bedroom house vs. having a two bedroom house. Space easily gets filled with things, and that space has to be vacuumed, dusted, you name it.

+ It's easier to get ready

I’ve done a number of closet declutters since the original big one back in the day, but at that first one, I got rid of nine large garbage bags of clothing and shoes. Nine bags! Before I would have to use my elbows to push my clothes apart to hang something up. It was insane.

Now, my clothes don’t even fill a fourth of my closet, which is really nice because that gives me storage for work things.

But it also makes getting ready in the morning so much easier.

Since that first declutter, and subsequent declutters I’ve been creating capsule wardrobes for each season, which helps so much more than you could imagine.

Having only your favorite items that are season appropriate to choose from each morning cuts getting dressed down to just a minute or two each morning.

+ It impacts all aspects of life

This was a surprise benefit I discovered thanks to minimalism. I just thought “Hey, I’ll have less stuff. Great!” But what I didn’t realize was that it would change the way I think about everything.

Who are the people I want to spend my time with and give my energy to? It’s hard to cut people out of your life, but sometimes it’s necessary so you can thrive.

What am I spending my time doing? Is it activities I enjoy, or things I’m doing just because I think I should, or someone else asked me to? When you stop doing things that aren’t adding anything to your life you make space for things that really matter to you.

+ It has made room and money for quality items

When you stop buying stuff just to buy stuff you have more time to research what you actually want and need, and the particular item you’re going to get and love. This has made me so much more excited about things when I do buy them because I know I’m going to love them and use them.

And I know I will have not only space for them, but because I’m saving my money not buying a bunch of stuff all the time I can invest more money and get quality products that I’m proud to own.

+ I have more connection to what I do own

Going off that last one I have found that because I have taken the time to weed out all the things I don’t like, and have spent the time to research and choose each item consciously that I am so much more invested in what I do own.

I take better care of my things. I have more pride in what I own. Even something as simple as a water bottle or a pair of boots.

Minimalism doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything you own, and I think a lot of people are afraid they’ll have to give up things they love. But it couldn’t be more the opposite. You get to keep everything you love and cherish, and you’ll have more space and time for them too!

+ I have everything I want and need

Sometimes people think minimalists go without, that they sleep on a mattress on the floor and have no flavor to their life. But I can truly say that I have everything I want and need in life (and probably then some). There are always areas in which I know I could cut back even further, but the great thing about it is you don’t have to unless you want to. It’s not a competition.

+ It has helped me fine tune my decision-making process

I used to buy cheap things without really thinking about them. What were a few dollars here or there? But I’ve realized that just because something is on sale, or could be altered to fit better or hey might one day be part of a really great costume idea doesn’t mean you should buy it.

I am so much more conscious of what I’m bringing into my life, whether that is material things, people, experiences, you name it.

I also feel like minimalism has given me more character and personality because it’s made me sit down and think about what I want out of life.

How has minimalism benefited your life?

Thrifting When You Travel

May 25, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in minimalism, zero waste, travel

There are two things that I love to do when I travel.

Go to bookstores.

And go thrift shopping.

I frequent my local thrift shop at least once a month, but if you’re in a different city that’s an entirely new set of things and possibly a different take on fashion.

What I mean here is you’ll probably find a slightly different stock between Iowa and say California.

And sometimes if there’s a particular item you can’t find where you live, there might be multiple of them where you’re visiting.

I remember seeing entire racks of overalls in a shop on Brick Lane in London, and feeling in heaven.

So, yeah I always enjoying heading into a thrift store or two regardless of where I am. That is, of course, if thrift stores, or vintage shops are a thing there.

I didn’t find it in a thrift store, but I found my dream bike on Craigslist after months of searching. I wanted a Bianchi, but try as I might I couldn’t find one in Des Moines. I ended up going out on a ledge and looking in the Colorado Springs area because I have an uncle out there. I found a bike I loved, he went and looked at it, and a friend driving through picked it up from him and brought it back to me in Des Moines.

I think another thing I like about thrifting is that it’s something I do at home, and I always like to do things when I travel as if I lived there. Work from coffeeshops, go to the grocery store, ride a bike, go for a run or hike and go into thrift shops.

I just got back from San Francisco, and I spent quite a bit of time up on Haight Street going through the different thrift stores and vintage shops. I ended up finding a black denim mini skirt, which I’ve been searching for this for awhile, as well as a nice summery dress, which I’ve also wanted more of.

I also splurged in a non-thrift way and got myself a pair of vegan Doc Martens, something I’ve wanted for quite some time now. Normally, I stay away from regular stores when I travel, but being from Des Moines, we don’t have the full array of stores here.

Anyways I highly encourage you to go thrifting when you’re traveling.

Are there any fun things you always like to do when you find yourself in a different city?

Welcoming in Spring

April 06, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in mind, minimalism

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I love the return of warm weather, trees budding, flowers blooming.

When it’s mid-February and you’re bundled all the way up to your eyeballs, bracing yourself against the biting wind as you walk to and fro outside, you fantasize about spring.

I always hopefully expect a clean transition from winter to spring, from cold to warm. But I always laugh at my naivety when spring first starts and mother nature doesn’t seem to quite have it all figured out yet.

I know it’s different depending on where you live, but it’s kind of a local joke here in Iowa. You’ll have a 60-degree day where everyone comes outside to soak in the warmth, and then there will be a blizzard two days later.

I suppose this just makes you that much more grateful for the warm days when they are here.

Just this morning as I was walking to the coffee shop to work I realized it felt like a spring morning. It had that mild crispness with the promise of warmer temperatures later in the day.

We all have different ways in which we welcome in each season as it arrives, but I’ve realized I have a few different things I’ve been doing during this transition.

An obvious one if you’ve been following along with FemmeHead is that I switch up my wardrobe with each season. So, I’ve got a capsule that a combination of all the things I’ll need for the undecided weather. It’s always so exciting to put short-sleeve shirts, dresses, and shorts in your capsule, knowing you’ll get to wear them soon.

The next thing is something that a lot of people do, and have been doing long before I was born, deep cleaning and decluttering the house. There’s nothing better than throwing open all the windows on a Sunday, putting on some music and cleaning out your whole house. I love being able to get to things that I have put off for a few months, and the final product of a squeaky clean, decluttered house is all worth it.

I am a hermit in the winter. It takes a lot to get me to bundle up to go outside. So, staying active is a real problem for me when it’s cold. But there’s something about those few warm days at the end of winter that gets me so jazzed up about getting outside and doing something active. This spring its training for a half-marathon with my mom, but even just going out for walks, hikes, bike rides, you name it, I love it.

Overall, spring is just a time of change for me. It’s a fresh start in many senses. It’s a great time to reboot habits you’ve let slip like waking up early, eating fresh fruits and veggies, and doing a mental assessment of things you want to change.

Just yesterday I made a list of books I want to pick up because I have that itch for some self-improvement. It’s so easy to be static and consistent in the winter, which isn’t a bad thing, but when spring rolls around I’m ready to spice things up, to try something new.

What are the ways you change when spring rolls around? I always just get this burst of energy, motivation, and inspiration to get cracking on being the best me possible.

What I've Been Eating This Winter

January 31, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in body, mind, minimalism, vegan

I was scrolling through my Instagram the other day and I came across some of the refreshing smoothies, salads, and plates of fruit I had enjoyed in the warmer months. And while I dearly miss things like avocado and watermelon I'm still making it through the colder months just fine.

And it got me thinking how my diet changes with the different seasons. So, today I wanted to share some of my current staple meals, regardless of how boring they might be, they are what's getting me full through the winter.

Every now and then I like to share what I'm eating to show that you can be plant-based without having beautifully arranged acai bowls and that it doesn't have to be expensive or difficult

Oatmeal — an easy, inexpensive breakfast that can be made without much thought. You can keep it simple with just some brown sugar, molasses or maple syrup, or you can doll it up with fruits, nuts, seeds, and countless other toppings.

Potatoes — easy to pop two in the microwave or oven. You can pour some soup (chili or lentil) over the top of them, or you can top them with beans, hot peppers, pickled beets, sauerkraut and pickled cabbage. Potatoes is one of the things I always try to buy organic because they're on the dirty dozen list.

Chickpea Sandwiches/toast — so easy, so filling and so customizable. I can just simple mash up some chickpeas with a few spices and sriracha or stack them to the nines with all the fixings like saurkraut, pickled beets and seeds.

Soups — warmth is key in the winter. And whether it’s making a stew or chili from scratch, or picking up a couple cans of soup to have on hand for a quick meal, soup is an easy option. You can also add different toppings to them, eat them with potatoes or chips. And if you make a big batch from scratch it can last for quite a number of meals. Not to mention you can often make an amazing soup from leftover ingredients and vegetables in your fridge.

Nachos — odd, I know but easy, filling and you can throw whatever you have on top of a pile of chips and it works as nachos.

Pierogi — a little time consuming so I don’t make them more than like once a month, but they are so satisfying. I always put potato and onion in mine and then eat them with a little vegan sour cream, sriracha, and pickled beets. Drool.

Salads — a lot of my meals have been “heavy” and I guess that’s just something I crave in the winter. But I also have to balance it out with something lighter like a nice big salad. Sometimes I just want something fresh, and that’s when I go for a big salad. And there are literally so many options when it comes to salads.

Fruit — the ultimate compliment to breakfast or any other meal to be honest. I always try to add in some fruit whether it's a snack or a side dish for the same reason I reach for salads because I’m craving something light and fresh.

As you can see none of these are time-consuming or fancy (Pierogi maybe but they're just flour, onion and potato so therefore easy). I do try to spice things up by trying a new recipe every few weeks, but keeping things simple cut down on the time used up planning and cooking.

What are some of your staple dishes for the winter months?

Trying to Mend My Night Routine

January 24, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in body, mind, minimalism

I’ve got the perfect morning routine almost down pat, but my nighttime routine still has some work to do.

There are elements of my nights that I love, but there are also things that I know need to be added or nixed.

So, let’s start with what I’ve got going for me:

+ skincare — when I was younger and first started having to take care of my skin I was awful at it. In college, there were countless nights when I would go to bed without washing my face, even when I had a full face of makeup on. I cringe thinking about it now. But now I’ve gotten to the point of adulthood where I wash my face before going to be. And there’s nothing better than a freshly washed and moisturized face.

+ sleepy time tea — I took a break from caffeine and instead drank a lot of herbal tea. One of my favorites was sleepy time tea and while I don’t have it every night it is nice to have a mug of something hot to sip on when you get into bed.

+ about twice a week I read before bed — in my ideal world I would read every night before bed, but I’m not there yet. But I always love the times that I do.

+ gratitude — sounds cheesy but Michael and I share what we’re grateful for that day, and it sends you to bed feeling really warm and fuzzy inside.

Things that I like but probably aren’t the best for winding down:

+ Michael and I love watching an episode (or a few) on Netflix at the end of the day. Right now we’re on the last season on The Office as well as the new season of The Crown. I know it’s not good to stare at a laptop before going to bed, but it’s this fun little thing we both enjoy to wind down from the day

What I need to stop:

+ staying off social media — I’ve gotten a lot better over the years but I used to have to scroll through Instagram until I got through all the new posts. Ridiculous I know. But overall I’d like to cut down on technology before bed.

What I would like to add:

+ mediation — I go through phases of meditating regularly, but I would love to start consistently doing it at night. And not leave it to the last thing or I will definitely fall asleep during.

+ journaling — while I’m all about morning pages, I would love to add regular journaling at night as a way to reflect on and document my day. I love looking back on old journals, and I think night time would be a great spot to start doing it consistently.

+ pajamas — ok, last and probably weirdest, but in the past year or two I’ve really wanted to get a dedicated pair of pj’s that I only wear to bed instead of stuff I also work out in. Something about getting into the mindset of sleep is what keeps pulling me towards getting a pair of pajamas.

What are your favorite parts of your night time routine, and what would you change?

Creating a Morning Routine to Cut Down on Decision Fatigue

January 17, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in body, mind, minimalism

Limiting your decisions can help you avoid decision fatigue. While you’re usually aware of when you’re physically exhausted, many of us can’t tell when we’re worn out from making decision after decision all day long.

Seriously, think of everything you have to decide on throughout a typical day. What to wear, what to eat, how to style your hair, what shoes go with what you’re wearing, how much you should layer up before heading outside, what to pack for lunch. And these are just a few of the things you need to figure out before work when an endless stream of decisions have to be made, all day long.

Sounds exhausting doesn’t it.

Well, turns out, limiting the number of decisions you make each day is beneficial overall.

So, today I wanted to touch on why I have a morning routine that’s pretty much the same thing each day. It’s what works for me, gets me ready for the day and helps save my brain power for the more important things that need to be decided on later in the day.

For the most part, I get up at the same time every day. I let myself sleep in a little more on my period, but having my alarm set at 6 a.m. every day allows me to start my day with the important task of taking my basal body temperature.

After that, I usually go to the bathroom and then go back to make my bed. I used to never make my bed when I was younger, but now it’s one of the first steps in my morning tidying routine that mentally sets me up for the day.

Then I head out into the kitchen to finish cleaning up from the day before. I also get the kettle going for tea and oatmeal. While that’s going I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and do my skincare.

From there I head into the back bedroom where my closet and desk are. I pick out what I’m going to wear. Lately, it's one of two pairs of jeans, and one of three sweaters.

Thanks to having a capsule wardrobe what I have to choose from is pretty small and makes getting dressed effortless. Never do I feel like I have “nothing to wear” anymore. Nor do I spend more than 30 seconds picking out what to wear.

If you’re not into the whole “uniform” thing and have more to choose from, try picking out your outfit the night before so you can just throw it on in the morning and get going.

When I lived with my parents after graduation and went to two jobs each day I would pack my lunch the night before. I would love to get into the habit of meal prepping but I haven’t made it to that point yet. But how nice would it be to just do it all one day and then each day you just had to pull a meal out of the fridge and go?

From there I sit down at my desk with my planner and write down the four or five most important things I need to do that day. (This can also be done the night before, but I like doing it first thing). And from there I just start in on the first task without worrying too much about it.

Everyone is different but simplifying my routine in the morning and just knowing what I’m going to do makes it much easier to get into the mindset of work, and then have the energy to be able to make big decisions while working instead of blowing that on menial tasks that don’t really matter.

How do you cut down on the number of decisions you make in the morning?

Inspiration for Gift Giving

January 12, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in body, mind, minimalism, travel, vegan, zero waste

I know Christmas is over and we’ve got a long time until it’s time to celebrate again, but I wanted to share some of my favorite presents that I gave and got this year for inspiration. Because there’s going to be plenty of times throughout this year that you want to get someone a gift.

Presents I Gave

+ bath bombs — if they like baths, they’ll love bath bombs.

+ incense — nag champa incense is my favorite, and anyone that likes smelly goodness will love incense.

+ a journal — I kept a journal starting last Christmas and wrote an entry every day of what we did, and then gave it to Michael this year. It was a big hit.

+ power bank — for that person whose phone battery is always almost dead. I got this Anker one for Michael.

+ inflatable lounge — much more of a warm weather gift, but Michael is all about being comfy, and he likes to go out and sit in a hammock in the summer so I thought this would be good to have in the car for when he can’t find trees close enough.

+ string map — a lot of fun to make, and pretty simple too. Just need a board, nails, and some embroidery string. I made a map of Iowa for a friend, but you could make letters or silhouettes. So many options.

+ packing cubes — for anyone who travels and appreciates organization. I like these.

+ chocolate — you can’t go wrong here.

+ gift card — let them choose their gift at their favorite store.

+ suspend game — I was looking for a white elephant gift that would be good for any age. And I found this one, which is kind of like Jenga.

+ s’more kit — my dad is the s’more king and he likes anything chocolate. But you could do a hot chocolate kit or any number of food kits.

+ hygge kits — or at least that’s what I called them. I gave one to two friends as well as my mom and sister. They had face masks, warm sock slippers, chocolate, a candle and incense.

+ regifted things — you might think this is tacky, but I think it’s genius. If you have something cool that just isn’t your style or you don’t use it, give it to someone that will.

Presents I Got

+ hanging planter — Yes, a friend made me an awesome hanging planter that’s hanging above my desk now. I love it. It looks kind of like this one.

+ vegan “meats” — Our friend got Michael and I a selection of vegan meat from this shop we visited in Minneapolis.

+ knitted socks, hat, cardigan — my mom is a knitting goddess and each year I get some amazing knitted goodies. So, if you can knit or crochet make something!

+ wine — you can’t go wrong with wine.

+ converted home movies — my younger brother sent in all our old home videos to this company that converted them into mp4’s that we now all have access to for the rest of time. One of my favorite gifts.

What are some of your favorite gifts that you gave or received?

My 2018 Goals

January 10, 2018 by Victoria Zimmerman in body, mind, minimalism, personal finance, zero waste

I know, I just bashed on New Years Resolutions last week, but it’s not setting goals that I have a problem with. It’s thinking that you can only do it for New Years and if you slip up once then you should just quit until next year.

I first made “resolutions” two years ago. Last year I set separate goals for my personal and professional life, and this year I’m going to do the same.

So, without further ado, here are my 2018 goals!

PROFESSIONAL

+ create two new courses — I already know what I want them to be, and have started working on one, but the goal is to complete them and get them online for people to have.

+ create a workshop — I already have the concept of what I want it to be, it’s just a matter of putting my head down to finish creating it. And then (deep breathe) hold the workshop.

+ talk in front of an audience — Is anyone else shy? I’m really good behind a camera and a computer because I can think through and edit what I want to say. But when you’re in front of a crowd there’s no going back.

+ expand my second channel — I started a second channel in 2017 (that was actually one of my goals), but this year I’m very excited to see it expand from just a vlog channel.

+ release new merch collection — You guys loved my FemmeHead shirts and totes, so I’m going to release more! I want to create a few new designs as well as offer more of the original design.

+ 100,000 YouTube subscribers — Yup, the big One, Zero, Zero. I’m roughly around 37,000ish away from it. And I think I can do it! (But it’s never about the number of subscribers for me. It’s about who I’m actually able to help. It’s just been a fun little goal to set myself since I started on YouTube).

PERSONAL

+ learn to play a song on the uke — I bought a ukulele over a year ago, and while I’ve gone through phases of practicing I’ve never learned an entire song.

+ participate in a race — I think this might become a yearly goal for me. I had the same goal last year and I ended up doing my first 5k, triathlon and marathon. Boom!

+ take myself on solo dates — There are places around town (the botanical garden comes to mind) where I’ve always wanted to go but haven’t because I didn’t have someone to go with. So now, I want to take myself on at least one solo date a month.

+ keep all of my receipts — Yup, boring, but for accounting and tax purposes it would make it a lot easier if I had my paper receipts. (Thankfully a lot of my buying is done online).

+ pay off my student loans — When I first graduated I made the goal of two years. And I was on track, but then I met a boy and had to rebalance my finances. Well, I’ve kept paying off more than what I owe and I’m down to just above $5,000. Can I pay that off this year?

+ hang out with a family member and a friend once a week —spending time with those I love has taken more of a priority over this past year, and I’ve done such a great job I want to keep at it!

+ produce less waste/buy less plastic — When I first discovered the zero waste and minimalist lifestyles I did a great job of reducing the amount of waste I created. Well, so many freaking things come in plastic, and I want to make it a goal this year to cut down on plastic overall.

What are some of your goals that you're most excited for this year?

Discovering Lagom + How It Fits Into My Life

December 29, 2017 by Victoria Zimmerman in body, mind, minimalism, personal finance, vegan, zero waste

I first discovered hygge and it wasn’t long after that I stumbled upon lagom.

While there is no direct translation from Swedish, I liked the definition “not too little, not too much, just right.”

I saw someone refer to it as the “Goldilocks" amount. And another said lagom is closer to “optimal”. Overall, it is a lifestyle of balance, sustainability, and frugality.

For a minimalist like myself, lagom speaks to me. I think a lot of people think minimalism is about owning nothing, living in a destitute house of white walls, a mattress on the floor and one plate and fork. And it couldn’t be further from that.

While yes there are those that enjoy minimalism in its extreme the vast majority of us look at it as a way to go about life. A conscious choice to be selective about what we let into our lives. Whether that’s physical things, people, experiences. It’s all about refining it down to just what brings you happiness.

Why bother with the rest everything if it’s just going to clutter up your space and your mind?

Unlike hygge, lagom isn’t a moment or an experience, it’s much more of an overarching concept to live by.

When you get down to it, lagom is about striving for a balanced life that can lead you to live in your most natural state.

Funny enough most Swedes will go “meh” at the mention of lagom because for them its something that means average and boring to them. But the rest of the world is jumping on the lagom train.

I’m all for taking these concepts like hygge and lagom and finding the aspects of them that speak to me and infusing that into my life to make it all that much better.

So, here’s the bits of it that speak to me:

Balanced Eating — I’ve never been too strict with what I eat. And the great thing about being vegan is I can eat as much as I want on a whole foods plant-based diet. But there will always be a place in my heart (and my stomach) for sweet things. If I’m focused on getting enough nutrition through fruits, veggies, nuts seeds, grains, etc. then I can have my cake and eat it too!

Wasting Less — I’ve made some big changes over the past two years when it comes to this. And for the most part, they’re simple switches. Getting reusable shopping bags, coffee cups, not overbuying on food. I don’t leave the lights on when they’re not needed, or the water running while I brush my teeth. I walk or ride my bike when possible (and it helps not having my own car). I recycle, I reuse, and the amount of trash I produce has dropped drastically. I’m still far from zero waste but I’d love to get there one day.

Getting Rid of the Excess — Decluttering is one of the most beautiful things I do for myself. It is addicting first off because you have this amazing feeling of lightness and freedom after going through your belongings. And there’s nothing better than having just what you need, and when all of those belongings have a home. Decisions are easier, cleaning is easier. It’s a win, win!

Being a Conscious Consumer — If I want to buy something new it first gets put on my ‘want list’ and it sits there while I research the best option, cost, where I can get it from, whether I can get it second hand, etc. And often times I find that things will sit on my ‘want list’ and eventually I realize, meh I really don’t want/need that and it gets taken off the list. Decluttering was a great way to jump start how I viewed buying stuff. The same goes for starting a capsule wardrobe.

Creating a Capsule Wardrobe — Speaking of that, it intimidated me at first but once I finally went for it and curated a capsule for each season my mornings have been so much simpler. Why have all of your clothes all together when you probably can’t even wear half of it? This doesn’t mean I’m stuck with only that capsule for the season. If I realize there’s something I need I’ll add it. And it’s a great way to actually see what you need, and what you don’t wear, and can pass along.

Having a Mindful Work/Life Balance — This one can be tricky regardless of whether you work for someone or you work for yourself. Personally, work and non-work can blend together. Especially since I work from home. But a few things that have really helped is creating a little home office in the corner of our guest bedroom, knowing that “Right, I’m going to sit down to work from 8 -5 today.” I also find that getting ready for work (getting dressed, etc.) helps get me into the mindset. I also don’t jump straight into work in the morning or work up until bedtime either. I make sure I have time before and after my work day to do things for myself. Whether that’s journaling, yoga, meditation, hanging out with friends or family. You need to make time for yourself outside of work.

Overall, I think there are so many elements of lagom that are already a part of my life. But I’m all for discovering new concepts and finding inspiration in them. And sharing them with you!

Are you into hygge or lagom, or is there another catchy term you are inspired by?

Nourishing My Five Senses

December 27, 2017 by Victoria Zimmerman in body, mind, minimalism

I’ve been digging into how to create a positive mindset surrounding winter this year, and I have to say it’s going quite well. And one thing that came to mind as I was journaling one morning, surrounded by candles, incense, a hot drink, warm slippers and soft music was how I was attending to each of my senses in one way or another and how calm and wonderful I felt.

So, I kind of set a goal of making it a priority each day to check in with myself periodically to see if I was taking care of each of my senses. And I have found that when I give focus to each one my days are just so much better.

Today I wanted to take you through the different senses and different things I’ll do to nourish each.

Sight |

Let’s start at the top. Every morning I start with around 15-20 minutes of tidying. I find that when everything is in its place my mind is so much clearer. This includes keeping my desk clean throughout the day.

Another thing I like to do when I first sit down at my desk in the morning is light some candles and flick on the warm floor lamp to create a soft, calm glow instead of clicking on the harsh overhead light. I’ve been avoiding the harsh fluorescent lights first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

And finally, I like to decorate my space with things that are going to make me happy. Pieces of “art”, photos, a felt letter board, and a growing yucca plant next to my desk. And since it’s that time of year I turn on my Christmas tree each morning and that always gives me a instant fuzzy feeling inside.

Smell — Moving right along, think of some of your favorite smells, and the feeling they give you. There’s nothing like taking a nice deep inhale of fresh air when you’re outside. Or letting the smoke from an incense waft through your space. Walking into your house after you’ve baked cookies, freshly washed clothes, new babies, the list goes on. Anytime a smell stands out to me (in a good way) I make sure to breathe it in once more and be present with the good feelings floating around inside. In the morning my scent of choice is a nag champa incense.

Hearing — Even though I enjoy driving in silence when I’m alone, I love putting on some easy going background music first thing in the morning when I sit down, or some more upbeat music later in the day when I need a little pick me up.

Podcasts are also growing on my list when it comes to walking places or for those times I don’t want to drive in silence.

Taste — Mmm food. I’ve been doing a much better job the past month or so of eating breakfast. I have to make it a point to make sure I fix something for myself or it can slip into lunchtime before I notice I haven’t eaten.

Another way to hit those taste buds is something to drink. This month that’s been a nice hot mug of herbal tea, it’s normally a cup of coffee, and sometimes in the summer, it’s a big smoothie in a mason jar.

Not to mention stopping for snack breaks and yummy meals throughout the day while I work. And it’s pretty common for there to be a chocolate bar or something similar tucked into a desk drawer.

Touch — And finally, possibly the most important part of being “cozy”. I opt for a simple, comfortable outfit. Jeans and a sweater. And when I’m home that always includes knitted socks made by my mom and my slippers Michael gave me for Christmas last year.

I made sure I got an office chair with a nice cushion for my bum and topped it with a soft pillow to lean back on. If I get extra chilly I will wrap myself in a blanket. Not to mention the space heater I have next to me while I work. Once I flip that on and shut the door my space becomes nice and toasty.

If I find myself feeling out of sorts during the day I’ll step back to assess the situation. Often it’s a simple fix of adding something to nourish a sense I’ve been neglecting. And I know this can sound all a bit woo-woo, but I promise it’s been doing wonders for me.

What are the ways in which you attend to your different senses throughout the day?

My Winter Work Out Plan

December 22, 2017 by Victoria Zimmerman in body, mind, minimalism

This summer the majority of my “exercise” was running because I was training for a marathon.

The next time I train for a marathon I will definitely “cross train” more instead of only focusing on running (while that is still obviously important).

It’s been a month since my marathon, and while it’s good to give yourself a break afterward I don’t want to “lose” all my training and hard work.

But I do want to switch it up a little. So I took a look at what I’ll have available to me over the winter, and what I’ll actually enjoy doing.

And the three main activities I want to focus on are yoga, running and lifting.

Yoga — I dabbled in yoga in college, and consistently went every day for a six month period after graduation. But the circumstances that led me to have an affordable pass to that studio ended and I can’t afford to hand out that chunk of cash every month. Although hot yoga is delectable in the winter. My compromise has been hitting up a yoga class every now and then but then utilizing videos online for a little yoga session in my living room. I don’t have to trek to a studio and I save myself a lot of money.

Running — I’ve come to realize that it’s more work to get myself dressed and outside when it comes to running in the cold. If I bundle up appropriately it’s all fine and dandy. Your lungs burn a bit, but it’s manageable. And I’ve been running for months so why stop now just because it’s getting cold? Running is a great way to get outside and have some time to just freely think without needing to have some form of entertainment.

Lifting — While I sometimes feel like a monkey lifting weights I do actually enjoy the challenge. Our apartment building has a decent little exercise room with a few machines and a full set of weights. And just like with living room yoga, I’m not forced to go outside to get to the gym so that’s a major perk. I want to focus on getting stronger overall but also focusing on my joints or whatever it may be so when it comes time to train again my knees, and such, are stronger.

Ideally, I would like to do each activity two or three times a week. So, one sample week would be:

Monday: Yoga

Tuesday: Run

Wednesday: Lift

Thursday: Run

Friday: Lift

Saturday: Run

Sunday: Yoga

I find that having a “plan” really helps to motivate me and be consistent with exercise. If I can look at something and say “Ok, today I’m going to go run 5 miles, or today I’m going to do these arm exercises in the gym” I find that actually getting there and doing it is much easier.

I’m curious to hear if you have a particular work out plan as well as the winter, and if where you live has had an impact on what you plan on doing.

A Forced Internet Break

November 17, 2017 by Victoria Zimmerman in mind, minimalism, travel

One of my favorite things about traveling, especially abroad, is being disconnected.

For the most part you just don’t have use of your phone because it’s in airplane mode and only works around wifi.

And this past trip to France ended up being a real break from technology, social media and all things in between.

I would still post to Instagram every other day or so. But I wouldn’t scroll through insensately after as I’ve been known to do.

I would take a peek at my email every few days to make sure there were no fires I had to put out, and I sent my mom a message a few times.

Michael and I are both sort of workaholics. We just really get sucked into what we do. But it was a great chance to do something else. And to just be forced to do something else.

We went on a lot of walks, either through the country or through the city, depending on where were were staying that day.

We would make meals together and sit outside to eat them.

We would start our day by waking up and having a cup of coffee together.

We went on bike rides, hikes, and spent hours curled up around a fireplace with a few friends that came to visit having those conversations that leave you inspired and invigorated for life.

We would sit down and read. We even went on a tour in Avignon!

And now that we’re home we both have really tried to bring a few things back with us.

We went rock climbing the other day, we both have books we’re reading (or in my case five).

We’ve been making more of an effort to hang out with friends and family. I went and saw my sister and nephew the day after I got back, the next week we went up to his sister’s for Halloween, and a few days later I went to hang out with two of my friends.

And I’m looking forward to getting together with family now that the holidays are coming up.

I always like to take vacations as a chance to reset as well as recharge. Take the time to analyze the aspects from your trip that you want to take with you into everyday life.

What are some of the changes you’ve made because of a trip?

Books I've Finished, Am Reading + Will Read Next

November 10, 2017 by Victoria Zimmerman in mind, minimalism

I’ve been trying to consume more and more books recently. Whenever I travel I’m really able to dig into a few great books, because it’s what I dedicate my free time to, and it’s a great time to pass time as well.

This fall I’ve read a lot of awesome books, and started a few more as well.

So, today I wanted to share the books I’ve read and my thoughts on them, as well as the books I’ve started and the one’s I have sitting waiting to be read.

Books I’ve Read:

Where’d You Go Bernadette — This one was on a recommended list so I decided to pick it up, and I ended up inhaling it. Told from the perspective of the bits of information the daughter has pieced together from emails, notes, etc. in search of where her mom has disappeared to. Highly recommended fun read!

Worth It — I love a good book about money, and this one is from the founder of DailyWorth.com and digs into the relationship of women, their money and self-worth.

Get Rich, Lucky Bitch — While Worth It was good, I loved this book by Denise Duffiled-Thomas. She takes you through all sorts of exercised, challenges and assignments to dig into your money mindset, and how to reprogram your perception of money and what you can achieve. Highly recommend for a boost of financial motivation!

Vessels — A beautifully written book about love and loss. I had never really thought about the lasting effect of miscarriages until reading this book. It’s a quick read, but pick it up.

Belly Laughs — I’ve never been pregnant or given birth, but I really enjoyed this hilarious read. It’s like reading emails from a best friend about all the gross, weird stuff that happens.

Girls and Sex — Where to even begin. I loved this book. Peggy digs into the atmosphere teenagers head into surrounding sex, relationships, and all things in between. It was fascinating to realize similarities from when I was a teenager, but then also the huge difference that’s already happened. Pick it up if you have a daughter or if you were ever a teenage girl.

Goodbye Things — This is one man’s story of his journey to minimalism, and while it was good I just feel like this is everyone’s story and therefore isn’t really exciting after you’ve read a number of them. I obviously love minimalism and am fascinated by it, but I’m ready for a fresh take on it.

The China Study — We read this one for book club, and it was fascinating. Going into it I didn’t realize it was going to be pro-whole foods plant based diet, but that’s exactly what it is. If you have any interest in nutrition, health or are mildly concerned about what you’ve putting into your body, pick this up.

Small Great Things — I’ve always loved Jodi Picolt’s books. They take a topic that seems pretty straight forward at the beginning and tears it apart, showing both sides and all this aspects of it that never crossed your mind. This one is about racism, which we all know is beyond relevant still.

Books I’ve Started:

Fen — So we chose this one for book club in the spirit of Halloween, and it’s unlike anything I’ve read. The author is a female a year older than myself, which I think is awesome, and she’s created this eery world, Fen, where there’s this creepy connection between animals and humans. This one reminds me of reading books for college classes and trying to dissect them and understand them by notes scribbled in the margins and rereading different sections.

The Sun and Her Flowers — I loved Rupi Kaur’s first book so when I saw this in an airport I had to pick it up. But I’m trying to savor her poems (even though I could tear through them in a day).

The Book of Hygge — I have to admit something. I discovered this term on Pinterest, but I have been so intrigued since then, and wanted to get a few books on the topic. It’s really inspired me to change how I approach the colder months. If you haven’t heard of “hygge” just get on Pinterest.

Happy As a Dane — I found this one at the library when I was searching for books on hygge. I’ve known for awhile now that life in Scandinavia is something I’m curious about. And I’m excited to keep reading this little book.

Women Who Run With the Wolves — a lovely woman I used to work with gave me this book as a birthday gift last year, and I’ve been meaning to read it. From what I’ve read I’ve come away with this sense of empowerment that is infectious. And I even saw it was on Emma Watson’s list. I plan to work through it a story at a time.

The Rules Do Not Apply — I just started this one yesterday after picking it up at the library, and I feel like I’ve read parts of it elsewhere before. Regardless it’s been an interesting read. I’m still in the part where her life is still together but I know it’s all about her unconventional life falling apart. It’s one of there where turning page after page is effortless.

Books On Deck:

The Nordic Theory of Everything — It’s the next book we’ll be reading for book club. The author moves to the states and this book is all about comparing how things are done between the states and the nordic region. I’m really looking forward to this book.

Leaving Time — I decided to pick up another Jodi Picolt book from the library since I enjoy them so much. And I’ve been trying to add more leisurely reading to my days. This one is about a mother who disappeared, and the daughter who’s looking for her.

The Little Book of Hygge — This book is everywhere when you type in “hygge” so I’m on the wait list at my library to check it out. I’m ready to learn more about the danish secrets to a happy life.

There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather — This winter season I’ve made it my goal to reframe my mindset about the cold weather in order to start enjoying it more, and to make the most out of it. And in my search for books on hygge this one came up and so like the previous book, I’m on the wait list for it.

I'm so excited for the books I'm reading, and am going to read. What are some of your top recommendations?

Using Pinterest to Create Dream Board

October 13, 2017 by Victoria Zimmerman in mind, minimalism, personal finance, travel

I love the concept of dream boards.

My teenage bedroom was essentially four walls of dream boards, or whatever I decided was worthy of getting cut out of a Teen Vogue and taped on my wall.

I don’t collect magazines anymore, nor do I find my “dream life” in them.

But do you know what has come along since my moody teenage days?

Pinterest.

I don’t even have to explain what it is: the internet’s dream board.

We’ve all spent countless hours pinning drool worthy recipes, outfits that are a little too perfect and a detailed plan of our dream wedding before we even had serious boyfriends.

I’ve seriously curbed my Pinterest addiction since college, but I’ve found it a cathartic exercise to collect and curate different aspects of the dream life I strive for.

In January I chose two guiding words for 2017: Ignite and Radiate. And I created a board of different images and quotes that spoke to those words that I’ll scroll through every now and then.

And one of the best features of Pinterest? Secret boards.

No more scouring magazines, scissors and glue for this girl.

My most recent secret board creation? One I dubbed, “Beautiful Abundance” where I put all the things I’m working to manifest in my life.

And if you hear the term “manifest” and want to gag a little bit, stick with me. I was once in your shoes not that long ago.

Then I discovered “Letters to the Universe”, dipping my toes into manifesting, and things started to happen.

I asked the Universe for freelance opportunities and I got an email from a gal I went on to do a internship/mentorship for.

I asked for more money opportunities, and my mom called to ask for help with two painting jobs, totaling over $1600 in less than three weeks.

“I’ve got to put this power to good use!” I thought.

So, back to my “Beautiful Abundance” board. I created it as a place to put all the things I wanted to manifest for my future. And not my “where will you be in 10 years” future. My 6 months - 5 years plan.

While it’s obviously important to consider where you want to be in 15 years time I think so many people spend all their wishing on years and years down the road.

What about the life we’re living in the here in now?

Why not focus on that? I know I am.

Fill your dream boards, your vision boards, whatever you want to call them with things that make you feel something. That get you excited to work towards your goals.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a visual person so actually seeing something versus just writing it down (which I also think is important) sparks something different in my brain, making it seem like more of a possibility for reality.

So, go and spend some time on Pinterest (I’m giving you permission) and make a board that is just for curating your dream life. Don’t hold yourself back, fill it with images, words and whatever else feel right to you.

Go back and look back on it here and there, edit it and refine it to keep it up to date with what you want. And just let it soak in, think about how it would feel to have or be whatever it is. Visualize that, and magical things will start to happen.

Why I Have $100,000 On My Wall

October 06, 2017 by Victoria Zimmerman in personal finance, body, mind, minimalism

Last week I wrote a post about lessons I had learned from the book “Get Rich, Lucky Bitch” which I devoured and thoroughly enjoyed.

One of the glaring realizations was that I had this subconscious belief that I only deserved to make the bare minimum needed to survive.

But what happens when your goals change, what you want changes? What if a house and a family doesn’t seem so distant?

The answer: you’re going to need more money.

I realized that I thought making more money than I “needed” was greedy. That I should only want what I need and nothing more.

Why set big goals if you have enough now?

Well, I realized it wasn’t about being ungrateful for what I already have. It’s about growing, as a person, as a business, and it’s OK if you desires and goals change.

It doesn’t take much money for me to support myself at this point in life. I’m pretty proud of that fact, but I also discovered that the idea of making “a lot” of money freaked me out, gave me these weird, cringey feelings that I didn’t like.

In the book she talks about clients who had the goals of making six figures, seven figures, and each time I found myself a bit bug eyed thinking, “That’s sooo much money!”

When I thought about what it would be like to make six figures I found myself really uncomfortable with the idea of that much money.

I’m a far way off from that income goal, but how could I ever expect myself to seek out more money if I wasn’t even comfortable with the idea of making more money.

Essentially, I was repelling money and opportunities that led to more money because I didn’t think I needed it nor deserved it. I was uncomfortable with it.

So, I’ve started doing a few things to change my attitude towards making more money.

One, slightly absurd, thing I’ve done is put “$100,000” on the bottom of my felt letter board that sits on my desk.

And when I first put it up there I would hide it behind candles, embarrassed that it was even there. But slowly, as I sit down and look at it every day I’m becoming more and more comfortable with it. Slowly but surely it doesn’t seem so absurd, it doesn’t seem so greedy, it doesn’t seem so impossible.

I’ve also started putting up little positive money affirmations on sticky notes above my desk.

I’m slowly chipping away at my preconceived notions about income and self-worth.

I want things in life, and I want them sooner rather than later. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Having goals doesn’t make me greedy. I’m not harming anyone to get there.

I love learning about personal finance and money mindsets. Money will probably always be taboo, but it doesn’t mean I can’t change my own attitude towards the matter.

What are some of the big money lessons you’ve learned so far in life?