• Lifestyle
    • Faith
    • Minimalism
    • Zero Waste
    • Home
    • Motherhood & Family
    • Health & Wellness
    • Travel
  • Food
    • Raw Food
    • Vegetarian
    • Smoothies
    • Desserts
    • Clean Eating
    • What I Eat In A Day
  • DIY
    • Facial Cleanser
    • Facial Moisturizer
    • Facial Mask
    • Eye Cream/Serum
    • Lip Balm
    • Hair Cleanser
    • Hair Rinse
    • Hair Leave-In/Styler
    • Beauty Oil/Butter
    • Beauty Mist/Toner
    • Natural Fragrance
    • Deodorant
    • Nail Care
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Curly Hair Regimen
    • Healthy Hair Tips
    • Chemical-Free Series/Hair
    • Skin
    • Acne
    • Principles
    • Chemical-Free Series/Skin
  • Style
    • Modesty
    • Wardrobe Simplified
    • My Capsule Wardrobe
  • SHOP
  • About
    • Beauty Regimen
    • My Personal Testimony
    • My Minimalist Home
    • Testimonials

Minimalist Beauty

living simply with grace, discretion and faith

Minimalist Beauty

Finding Joy In The Little Things

May 18, 2012 by Dawn Michelle

It is always the small joys in life that keep me going.  As I am typing this, the most beautiful sunflowers sit in front of me placed in my husband’s beer mug.  On one of my decluttering sessions I decided to keep only one vase, which turned out to only be good for decoration.  Luckily whenever my husband brings me flowers, there is at least his over sized beer mug to double as a not so elegant vase.  Sometimes the silliest decisions in life can provide humor later.   It really is more about enjoying the process no matter what is going on.

This morning I had planned to take dance class across town.  I had left a little later than I had wanted and traffic didn’t ease up because of it.  When I finally got to my destination, I could have made class on time if only there was a parking spot.  I refuse to go into classes late unless I have a relationship with the instructor and a good reason.  There was no parking anywhere in sight so I ended up coming home and deciding to take a later ballet class.

I decided not to be frustrated having had little sleep and driving all the way across town.  By being a bit flexible I was able to enjoy the surprise of running into a really good friend of mine that I haven’t seen all year long at the second dance studio.  Our paths never cross without planned intervention, so that lovely surprise was worth the long drive today for no other reason.  Plus I was still able to get into class today thirty minutes early, and get a lot out of it.

My latest minimalist journey has been decluttering my thoughts to find clarity more so than nitpicking every item that I own.  I haven’t done as much decluttering or organizing as I would like by getting into my closet a bit more, or organizing more paper work and creative supplies.  Yet I have become clearer than ever on exactly what I want to do in terms of my dance career, and what I need to do every day to reach that goal.  I have been focusing more of my time and energy around the time that I have to train further.  Don’t get me wrong, having a clutter free home is extremely important.  I’m finding that the value of having peace of mind and clarity are also a very vital part of the minimalist journey.  I do feel that a decluttered home and mental clarity do have a serene synergistic relationship.

Acknowledging every positive moment that I can every day is finding those little sparks of sunshine even on rainy days.  My ballet class today was by no means perfection, yet I made sure I got in class today no matter what.  I can see how my hard work is paying off and also what I need to work on consistently.  Plus a big hug from my friend who is so close to my heart was the beauty in today’s chaos.

What small joys did you notice today?

(Image by D Sharon Pruitt)

Stay Connected with Minimalist Beauty & Subscribe with bloglovin’. Also Join the Community on Facebook & Twitter. For more about Dawn Michelle go here!

Share

Facebook Google+ Twitter Pinterest Email

You might also like...

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Darcia says

    May 19, 2012 at 5:44 am

    “Acknowledging every positive moment that I can find every day is finding those little sparks of sunshine even on rainy days”

    That is an awesome way to live and find joy in life. I am taking notes.

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      May 21, 2012 at 12:58 pm

      I takes some effort but get easier the more you do it!

      Reply
  2. Two Less Things says

    May 22, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    I agree with your comment about the relationship between mental clarity and an uncluttered home. Getting rid of all that clutter means the mind can concentrate instead on those things we value and are passionate about.

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      May 22, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      Thanks for your comment Two Less Things! Focusing on the things we value and are passionate about is so important.

      Reply
Previous
Next
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

living simply with grace, discretion and faith

I met a woman the other day who openly shared some I met a woman the other day who openly shared some of her challenges with motherhood.  Motherhood is intensely challenging, beyond humbling, and at times you just want the day to be over then realizing that you’ll be back at it the next day.  It never ends and there isn’t much reprive.  It’s been on my heart to share some encouragement to any mother who will read this.  I pray this will bless you in some way.  The link is in my profile!
🌻 #motherhood #encouragement #humility #minimalistbeauty
Fenugreek seeds, also called methi seeds, have a m Fenugreek seeds, also called methi seeds, have a multitude of medicinal properties along with being a prominent spice in many cultural dishes.  For starters, fenugreek seeds are packed with protein for strengthening strands, mucilage for moisturizing and soothing the scalp while detangling the hair, and most importantly nicotinic acid which may minimize hair shedding while soothing scalp issues.  Fenugreek seeds are also anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal which is beneficial for soothing a dry irritated scalp as well as high in iron. 🍂

These little seeds are a win win for natural hair care and can be used in various ways.  I’ve used fenugreek seeds in my beauty regimen on and off for years.  Today I wanted to share four easy ways you can incorporate fenugreek in your hair regimen to promote healthy hair growth.  The link is in the profile. 🍂

#diyhaircare #naturalhair #minimalistbeauty #sponsored @mountainroseherbs
God is so good! We move on FRIDAY. This picture God is so good!  We move on FRIDAY.  This picture was taken before they removed the bricking which was VERY NOISY to say the least.  We haven’t been completely able to avoid the beginning of the construction process, but I honestly think it’s a good thing.  This way we can remain GRATEFUL throughout the entire process.  GRATITUDE during LIFE’S IMPERFECTION develops CONTENTMENT.  That is one thing I work on daily.  If you missed our “We’re Moving Again” testimony it’s on the blog. 🌿🍁🍃

 #testimony #sharewhatisgood #godisgood #godisfaithful #godmakesaway #minimalistbeauty #simpleliving
Friday mornings are my busiest mornings of the wee Friday mornings are my busiest mornings of the week.  I make muffins for Saturday’s breakfast (either corn bread, pumpkin, or banana bread muffins) to have with fruit, a big crockpot dinner for the weekend (beans & rice bowls, lentils and sweet potato stews, or a big veggie and red potato stew) to serve with bread, tortillas, grains, and/or salad depending on the dish, and I’m usually putting orders together to go out for @iamazuha today too.  All the while I’m also making other food for the day. 🍂🥧🍁

Friday’s are crazy because of the usual responsibilities, but mainly because I really want to relax a bit over the weekend.  Over this past year I’ve worked really hard to create systems to make working from home and being a homemaker easier.  Homemaking really is like running a small boutique bed and breakfast hotel.  It takes planning ahead, having a solid system, financial planning, commitment, and a lot of love.  I’ve been learning to really enjoy this process.  Just like everybody else I’ve been baking more this year than ever.  Very rewarding. 🍂🥧🍁

Wishing all of you a beautiful and blessed weekend! 
💞Dawn Michelle
We’re MOVING again! With everything going on wi We’re MOVING again!  With everything going on with the world wide pandemic, I’m seeing the importance of sharing anything good that the Lord is doing in your life with others.  We need HOPE.  We need to share the JOY of walking with God.  The testimonies of glorifying God would just add encouragement that I know I need.  I LOVE hearing of God making ways out of no way, giving us more hope and FAITH. 🌿🍂🍃

I was initially praying to God for ways to endure what we were about to go through while somehow someway making it nice for my family during the process.  But God was already orchestrating a new way for us to not even have to endure it at all.  Read my testimony on Minimalist Beauty... (link in profile) 🌿🍂🍃

If God has done ANYTHING in your life no matter how small PLEASE share it in the comments below.  We all need to hear what’s good!  The news shares otherwise, but we can create a space here of good testimonies.  Please share below and I pray you are having a blessed day. 🌿🍂🍃

Much love!
#testimony #sharewhatsgood #godisgood #godisfaithful #godmakesaway #minimalistbeauty #simpleliving
We could all use an IMMUNE BOOST right now.  Here’s a simple juice recipe that I make for just that.  I call it SPICY APPLE JUICE and my three (almost four) year old drinks it up no problem! 🍎 

I simply juice 2 WHOLE medium/large APPLES (3 small apples pictured) + 3 CLOVES of GARLIC in a slow masticating juicer for one immune boosting serving.  Yes I do include the core as it has many health benefits. 🍎 

After having my 1st official winter back on the east coast last year, RAW GARLIC was how I made it through without getting sick at all while caring for sick family members. 🍎 

Since then I juice garlic in many of my juice recipes or mince up multiple cloves as dinner toppings for chickpea pasta, beans and rice bowls, and stews.  What I LOVE most of all is hearing my son say, “More Juice?” Proud Mama!!!! 🍎

#immuneboost #juicing #juicerecipe #simplenutrition #healthyliving #minimalistbeauty #minimalistbeautyeats
I started wearing linen clothing because it’s ex I started wearing linen clothing because it’s extremely practical.  Linen is one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics on the market.  Linen is also considered the world’s strongest natural fabric.  After tiring of purchasing new clothing every season for my heavily worn small capsule wardrobe, it just made sense to look for mid and heavy weight linen garments that could be worn year round and layered that actually lasted. 
🍃

Linen clothing can last up to 2-3 decades if properly cared for.  I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but have finally found a simple method for caring for my linen garments. (Link in profile.)
🍃
#linenlover #minimalistbeauty #sponsored @mountainroseherbs
I stopped using henna, I tossed my comb and brush, I stopped using henna, I tossed my comb and brush, I wear hair buns 95% of the time, and my hair care routine only got simpler with only two “products”. All the details plus why I really cut my hair last spring on the blog.  Much love!  #minimalistbeauty #curlyhairroutine #naturalhaircare
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: Access Token is not valid or has expired. Feed will not update.

Copyright 2021 Minimalist Beauty | Site design handcrafted by Station Seven