Happier with Less

I have learned a lot about myself during the quarantine. I don’t need much to be happy. Strip me of my $7 coffee or tea, take the take-outs away, and I am still comfortable and content. The simpler life suits me just fine. Being at home with my husband, cooking every day, cleaning up together -declaring dishwashing part of his Physical Therapy, because he is still not allowed to lift anything that’s no heavier than a coffee cup.

We have fun together, enjoy each other’s company, but also realize we both need space to be alone. Goodness can he be on my nerves -and I am on his I suppose. I need an hour of me-time a day to function humanly. Just reading a book or writing on my blog, walking the dogs, or just watching an episode of ‘Little Fires everyhwhere’ or the ‘Good Girls’.

I have learned to meditate and relax on command -which tickles me pink. I smile all the time and wake up well-rested. I can’t put a label on it. Is it self-awareness or gratitude?

Of course, you can still rock my boat, like when my husband announced that now would be a good time to learn sewing on THAT machine, pointing at my beloved portable industrial sewing machine. I almost fainted. Perhaps now would be a good time to start drinking -again?

But he was right. I have taught men and women how to sew and work with fabrics, why was I so hesitant teaching the man I love. Turns out teaching a stranger is easier and perhaps less stressful. I have never seen eye-rolling or heard heavy breathing or hissing during my classes with my students.

Someone called me ‘stubbornly optimistic’ the other day and inside I clapped my hands like a little girl. Best compliment ever -by a mile! Yes, that’s me. I create silver linings on a daily base.

I still can’t do stupid. Stupid hurts me, forces me to be sarcastic.

I am busy, my workroom is full of projects and restaurant booth seats. Some are thinking ahead and do the repairs now, during a time when they are closed anyway.

I have now sewed hundreds of facemasks. Now it’s Buy one/Give one and I am loving it. We are a team. My husband cuts and irons the fabrics, and I -still- do the sewing, but soon he will be able to do that part as well. We work well together when we work as a team. Letting go of our ego’s did us good.

Life has gotten cheaper for us. We had been eating out or ordered-in too often. We had spent money on things we really don’t need.

I am happy with less!