As you know one of the benefits of living a life with less is the reduced impact on supply and demand which in turn has a positive effect on the environment. In light of that I received the following email yesterday which I decided to share with you on the chance that you may wish to participate. It is worth taking a look at the link just to appreciate the beauty of nature captured by the amazing talent of the photographers featured. Here is the email…

From now until noon on Monday, February 7th, you and your readers have a great opportunity to choose the winner of  The Nature Conservancy’s 5th Annual Digital Photo Contest. We need your votes to make sure the best photo wins.

Please help us gather as many votes as we can by posting this link to where your readers can pick their favorite. Every vote counts!

http://support.nature.org/site/PageNavigator/vote_xx

Great nature photography inspires people to go out and appreciate wild places or to just take a closer look at what’s right in their own backyards.

For more details, please see below and feel free to contact me with your questions.

Thank you for your participation,

Midori Matsuyama, Online Outreach,  www.nature.org

It is such a hard task these days choosing five and having to let the others go. I would hate anyone to miss the great wisdom that my readers have to offer but there has to be a limit.

Marilyn in NM in response to Mini Mission Monday – Once again, these missions are great! I’ve gone through the bookcase… Read More

Annabelle in response to Reduce Reuse Recycle – I volunteer at a local thrift store; and more than 90% of the stuff we are given is TRASH… Read More

Kelley in response to Reduce Reuse Recycle – I love this post! I am packing for a move later this month… Read More

Meg in response to The Black Hole – Hi guys–my black hole used to be the big island between the kitchen and dining room… Read More Here is a link to Meg’s beautiful clear Island – Minimalistcook – Living-with-an-uncluttered-kitchen

Melissa in response to The black Hole – I do have a black hole….I just can’t find it!… Read More

This weeks favourite five post I read or blogs I have discovered this week.

Raptitude – How-to-make-trillions-of-dollars

The Uunblogger – Dogging-the-wag-putting-my-blogospheric-imagination-in-its-proper-place

Becoming Minimalist – 8-essentials-for-a-successful-marriage It is worth it just to take a minute to look at the lead photo in this post. It made me smile to see their joy.

Minimalist Cook – Getting-to-the-bottom-of-leftover-condiments

Modminimalism – Check out this new blog it promises to be very useful indeed.

Today’s Declutter Item

I don’t need coupon folders any more because Australia doesn’t do coupons like they do in America. Pity about that but since I don’t shop much any more it doesn’t matter.

Things I am grateful for today

• I am not my neighbour two doors down – it got to 43°C again today and their air-conditioner isn’t working.
• That the Cyclone that hit the North Queensland coast wasn’t as destructive as they feared – It is heading inland now which is a bit odd because they usually die out once they hit the coast. Let’s hope it peters out before it get too far because homes aren’t built to cyclone standards in there.

• A game of scrabble with some neighbours – I lost of course but that is partly because I refuse to use words I have never heard of and because I just like to play games and don’t care whether I win of lose.
• I am grateful to all the lovely readers that leave comments for Cindy and me – it really spurs us on to our next posts and even inspires posts on a regular basis.
• A book borrowed from a friend that has great historic photos of the city where I live – It is only a lone and will be going back once I’ve had a good look.
  

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow.

For this week’s favourite five I have done something a little different. I received several comments over the last week or so from people who run their own blogs on the topic of decluttering, minimalism, self improvement or a combination of all three. I decided to combine the comments and the links and showcase what they are writing about. Take a look for yourselves.

Liz’s Blog – A Life Less Cluttered —– Liz’s Comment

Mike’s Blog – Boston Web Crew —– Mike’s Comment

David’s Blog – Listen feel Breathe —– David’s Comment

Marnie’s Blog – The Unblogger —– Marnie’s Comment

Freedom’s Blog – Rethinking the Dream —– Freedom’s Comment

I hope you enjoy these little gems and give them an encouraging comment

Today’s Declutter Item

This item (a water syphon) served it’s purpose but hasn’t been used since perhaps it will come in useful to someone else.

Things I am grateful for today

• A cooler day – We have been sweltering this week
• Another thrift store drop off was accepted with gratitude.
• Having a productive day.
• People who keep there side walks trimmed of grass and overhanging shrubs – it makes walking with my husband holding hands a lot easier.
• Being my own person
  

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow.

This weeks favourite five comments have a similar theme – Mini Missions – I am getting some positive feedback and I wanted to share it with those who normally wouldn’t read all the comments.

Anne – It’s Saturday night and this week’s Mini Missions are done! Yippii!!!… Read more

Daisy – Does it count if I did the mini mission all in one day (basically?)… Read more

Marilyn in NM – I’ve written out my mini missions on my to-do list…Read more

Jo – Hmm . . . did five of seven mini-missions last week . . . Read more

Rebecca – I’ve noticed that the mini-missions take longer than I expect… Read more

This week’s favourite five post were a delight to read I hope you enjoy them too.

Small Notebook – The-perpetual-giveaway-box

Be More With Less – What-it-really-takes-to-live-with-less

Lunch Breath.com – Cartoons -how-to-describe-your-used-furniture-on-craigslist-2 This one is just for a bit of a laugh although…

My Zero Waste – Decluttering-sans-waste

There ally good life.com – My-low-spend-11-buy-less-than-12-items-of-clothing-in-2011 I am getting on board with this I am sure I can manage to buy less than 12 items of clothing for myself this year. I am not even sure I would have bought that many last year.

Today’s Declutter Item

It’s like the Tour De France of Freecycling this week well maybe it is more of a Sunday ride down the Fernleigh track but either way today’s item is this slide projector that I think we may have used once in the last 10 years or. It has found a new owner and will be collected on Friday.

Things I am grateful for today

• Admitting something will probably never get used and decluttering it.
• Know when I do the laundry that I am lucky to have clothes in the first place.
• Having a lovely day out with a friend.
• International foods – wouldn’t life be boring without them.
• Honesty – I like to be honest with others and I prefer them to be that way with me. It takes the guess work out of a relationship.
  

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow.

There were so many comments this week it was hard to keep up with them but I had to choose five and I did for various reasons.

Victoria -  …I tend to be a very Spartan person in general, but have to constantly fight the battle to keep my lifestyle as zen as possible… Read More

Grace from Brazil – …You have challenged me to think about the decluttering as an ongoing journey…Read more.

Lynne – Ahhh! I would absolutely NOT ask the artist if you could swap it…Read More

OBC – I had a huge problem with letting go of things…Read More

Pamela – This is the first time I’ve commented on your (wonderful and inspirational and challenging) blog…Read More

Blog posts I really enjoyed reading this week. Some for fun, some for inspiration and some for their useful advice.

Movers Edge – Packing-Tips This is a little off the subject of decluttering but there are some great tips for moving which include one decluttering tip for the process.

Be more with less – How-to-live-in-the-land-of-enough-gratitude

Finding me in france – Holiday-survival-tips I have been a little busy over the Christmas period so I have been a bit behind on reading my favourite blogs. This one from Bobbi was so funny I had to share it with you even thought the festive season is over.

Marc and Angel hack life – 40-extraordinary-things-happening-right-now

Stop work place drama.com – Eeleven-questions-to-ask-in-2011 Thanks to Cindy for finding this one.

Today’s Declutter Item

Liam is on a declutter binge at the moment and he has quite a collection of Coke items that are on their way out. These two are now in the recycling bin. There will be more to come so stay turned.

Things I am grateful for today

• Liam going gang busters with the decluttering – I don’t know what brought this on but I don’t care either so long as he is doing it. Go Liam!
• Finally some decent rain today – Even though I think it was chasing me and I got caught in it three time no less I am still grateful for it.
• Leftovers for dinner – Two nights of no cooking, gotta love that.
• Liam had his teeth fixed today – It is nice to see him smile with a full set of whole teeth again.
• A cool breeze a white wine and some peace and quiet as I finish up this post.
  

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow.

This weeks favourite five comments that I wanted to share with you in case you missed them.

Susan S on Day 342 – I’d love to have a Buy Nothing Christmas, but we’ll have a Buy Not a Lot Christmas… Read more

Cindy on Day 343 – A friend who is a organizing professional received a gift of magazine and catalog decluttering… Read more This is a great gift idea especially if you live in the US because it has become big business to sell peoples details in order to send out junk mail. A decluttered mail box who wouldn’t want that.

Annabelle on Day 347 – Ok, now I also want to know, will you share your polish apple pancake recipe???… Read More This one really doesn’t have any important information to share but I got such a kick out of it that I wanted add it to the five for this week.

Cathryn on Day 348 – I love my bed time routine it is the most important routine of my day… Read more

Jo on Day 349 – A few years ago when our closets and cupboards and other storage spaces were starting to groan at the seams… Read more

5 Blogs posts I have enjoyed this week. Some for the first time that I discovered through my new twitter account.

The 7th Rock – Pondering-purges

No Impact Man – Thoughts-on-communicating-on-climate-my-remarks-at-climate-negotiations-communication-conference

Becoming Minimalist – What-if-ice-cream-cost-you-your-vision

Marc and Angel – 28-dignified-ways-to-impress-everyone-around-you

The change blog – 8 little ways to change the world for the better

Item 351 of 365 less things

Time has not been kind to this old box so it is looking a little shabby. I kept the item from inside but have sent the box to the recycling bin.

5 Things I am grateful for today

1. Sleeping right through until the alarm – And what’s even better is my alarm is when my husband kisses me when he is leaving for work. Win Win!
2. Finding more space in my lounge room – I removed a concertina standing photo frame and just that one move made the room look bigger. I am considering it a trail separation from the frame.
3. 9am A chance of rain – Even though I have to walk somewhere today it is nice to see a cloudy sky for a change. There was thunder when I woke up and I love a good thunder storm.
4. Cereal – I agree with Jerry Seinfeld it isn’t just a breakfast food but can be enjoyed any time.
5. 4pm Rain at last – and it is bucketing down with a little hail, lightning and thunder thrown in. Yay!
   

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow.

Although it is always hard to choose it was particularly hard this week with so many thoughtful comments coming through. These are the five favourite comments of this week.

Calico ginger on Day 338 – I have been thinking about this “stocking up” a lot because I downsized last year… Read more

Cindy on Day 338 – I have a large bin of gifts for the children to give for birthday presents… Read more

Bronwyn on Day 343 – My little grandson has his 1st birthday 2 weeks before Christmas… Read more

Susan on Day 341 – our weirdest thing is my cat’s bladder stones… Read more

Paola on Day 342 – I’m definitely going to have a Buy Nothing Holiday!… Read more

Five post I read this week that I wanted to share with you

Small Notebook – Creating a haven using personal filters & Beyond the tension having Christmas with joy I snuck in an extra one there but they are linked in the second article anyway so that doesn’t count.

Be more with less – How-to-live-in-the-land-of-enough-entertainment

Minimalist Packrat – Psychology-of-clutter

Simple Life Prattle {Allan Douglas} -Simply-swapping-favors-and-the-barter-system

Rowdy Kittens – Grandparents

Item 344 365 less things

One of those unsuccessful eBay sales. This crystal duchess set sold for a mere $5- hardly worth the effort involved.

5 Things I am grateful for today

1. Good weather for drying the sheets
2. Getting out of the house – Coffee with a friend again, I could make a habit of that.
3. My house is clean enough this week that I just did a quick wipe over here and there.
4. The repair man came and fixed out dodgy door locks today
5. Air Conditioning – I caved today and put it on it is 34°C (93°F), very humid and I was uncomfortable.

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow.

Five comment I wanted to share with you this week

Rachel K on Day 331 – Your messages have been a great inspiration to me… Read more

Ornela on Day 333 – Yet another wonderful, insightful post. It hurts how much you’re right… Read more

Deb J on Day 333 – When I was growing up we didn’t always have the latest and greatest… Read more

Deb J on Day 335 – Cindy & Colleen, I have realized how much decluttering has changed me… Read more

Rachel on Day 335 – Colleen, recently you posted about *Take 5*… Read more

Five post I wanted to share with you this week

Be More With Less – The drip method a minimalist guide to success

Raptitude – Where is your mind right now

Minimalist Woman – Green gift Monday I really wanted to get involved in this myself but I didn’t hear about it until the last minute and didn’t have time write a blog. So please take a look.

Marc and Angel Hack Life – 75 ways to stay unhappy forever

Minimalist Freak – No chores on the weekend

Item 337 of 365 less things

I feel a little guilty getting rid of the calendar holder because my dad made it for me but it didn’t really work well for me. It has been collecting dust in the garage for three years.

5 Things I am grateful for today

1. Days that go to plan.
2. Clothes that are easy and comfortable to wear.
3. My hubby’s operation went well today.
4. Being comfortable making the more difficult decluttering decisions.
5. A gas station appearing just when you need it.
   

It matters not how fast I go, I hurry faster when I’m slow.

Even though I enjoy all the comments I receive here at 365lessthings something about these five spoke to me this week.

Willow on Day 324 – I mop my floors on hands and knees… Read more

Cathryn on Day 327 – Balance is a good way to think about clutter… Read more

Deb J on Day 328 – …Black Friday is such a horror… Read more

Isabella on Day 325 – A friend at work, who’s partner is a psychologist… Read more

Isabella on Day 326– Its surprising the effect your decluttering has on others… Read more

Here are five posts I read this week that I thought had really good messages.

Art of Minimalism – Why we’re bored and how to fix it

Becoming Minimalist – The freedom of less

Zinger – Black Friday is coming hoarders beware

Be More With Less – Love more deeply mini mission

Art of Minimalism – The un-productivity manifesto

Item 230 0f 365 less things

yes we are getting rid of more storage containers. Don’t need them now and don’t want to ever need them again in the future.

5 Things I am grateful for today

1. Art – Some pieces suit my taste better than others but it’s good to have variety.
2. Affogato – What more could you need dessert and coffee all in one serve.
3. Smiles – There was an ad on TV just now with a smiling chimpanzee, it made me smile too.
4. Loyalty rewards for items you have to buy – Liam needed some art supplies today and due to how much we have spent at the store since Liam started art in high school we received $50 worth of free product. The bonus is that it isn’t clutter because it was all replacing used up supplies and these will get used up in turn soon enough.
5. Accents – The Scottish accent in particular. When I moved to America I thought that being surrounded by another accent I would actually hear that I sounded different and I was disappointed when I couldn’t. All the Americans loved it though and I must confess that I liked all the attention I received because of it. When I came back to Australia I was even more disappointed to be just like everyone else and not “special” any more.
   

The 5 thought filled comments I wanted to bring to your attention this week in case you missed them the first time around.

Eve on Day 317 – I do have an opinion on this, which is… Read more

Isabella on day 317 – You could just “white knuckle it” as Dr Phil would say… Read more

Calico Ginger on Day 317 – For me it’s about connections. Some stuff I’m not “connected” to… Read more

Bridget on Day 318– After spending two weeks at mom’s house…  Read more

Anna on Day 321 – Just from where I am sitting now I can see… Read more Make sure you scroll down in that link to check if Anna did manage to do her list in 5 minutes.

The 5 posts I wanted to share with you this week

Mothering – Nurturing creators not collectors

The Minimalist Path – Mirror

Sanity in Simplicity – How minimalism can help you find and follow your passion this is an older post but I thought it was a good example of how minimalism can change your life and help you achieve your dreams.

The Halfway Point – The politics of communication avoiding the trap of relationship partisanship

Collaborative Consumption – This one isn’t actually a post but the online hub for Collaborative Consumption.

Item 323 of 365 less things

Our daughter is a Yankees fan so we palmed off this piece of memorabilia to her when she was here last week

5 Things I am grateful for today

1. Liam is home.

2. Businesses that still give good customer service – The story behind this is too long to recount but it is nice when as a regular customer we were treated with respect.
3. Getting a few repairs done around the house today – new silicone in the shower. gotta love that.
4. Spring – It is a beautiful to see all the blooming Jacaranda trees lining the streets.
5. My bed – I looking forward to my head hitting the pillow tonight.