In case you were wondering, packing still isn't fun.

I mean there is a small (teeny) part of me that enjoys going through our material items, doing some version of the Marie Kondo method, not so much does it "spark joy," but has it served its purpose, or am I holding onto it because I feel I should. I do feel Marie Kondo sparked (no pun intended) a wave of consumerism in many ways, as it was, essentially, that when you feel your decor, furniture, paint color, or anything else, no longer brings you the joy it once did, time to throw it out and find something else.

And throw it out people did.

Talk about a dream come true for companies that make stuff.

Our dining room table, where I write this from, does not spark joy as such, but you can tell it has lived a life, it has served the purpose it needed to serve: to be the heart of the home. Side note, I recently read this book with my kids, definitely recommend a borrow from the library (it can bring you joy from there, doesn't have to be your own copy ;) ).

That said, our table still serves its purpose, it still works just as well, and those dings, scratches, and marks are personality, are part of what makes it ours.

Instead, I use the "served its purpose" question to help me let go of things that I am holding onto that I don't feel have a place in my life moving forward. Or if someone else would get joy, purpose from an item I own and barely use.

After ten years of ownership, we passed on our beautiful china set to a woman I met through my Buy Nothing group. She was so excited to be able to use it for three family weddings coming up, and then pass it on again. Rather than collecting dust in my cupboards (like it has been), it can go to a place where it will create memories and special moments.

Now I don't have to delicately wrap eight sets of teacups, that feels kinda good too.

I like the idea of beginning with a new home for our family that we can decorate and build into a home that represents this 2025 version of ourselves. That doesn't mean I will purchase new; most of what we add will be used, and I love that. In the same way I know I am giving others joy, I get to bring something into my home that I need.

Community sharing is the most beautiful thing, and I am really excited for the community we are moving into in Chattanooga.

It does feel like I am at the base of a mountain again, that I now need to find my people, my places, my comfort.

And yet, there is also that excitement of a new mountain, a new adventure, a new outlook from this chapter of life.

First I have to get through the goodbyes here in St Louis. I have cried a lot the past few days; I am gonna miss my life here, the people here.

I also know I can feel many emotions at once, and that is my favorite part of being a human. It makes life richer and fuller. Over the next week, I am sure I will feel almost all of them.

Life.

​I really am enjoying hearing Pamela Anderson talk about her revelations living life without makeup. Take a listen to this episode of How to Fail.​

​This is so cool. I mean, you know by now that I love trees, but this is just such a beam of light.

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​Amazon Prime sales were down 41% on their first day. LOVE to read this. It is about time we got back to supporting our local business friends and cutting down on our consumeristic tendencies. Let's keep it going!

Yesterday, while transporting my first and most beloved plant to a new home (he was far too big to survive this move), I stepped on a bee and was stung on my foot. I texted my best friend, Elizabeth, to ask her for some meaning to that....as all I was coming up with, was that Bruno was mad at me.

Elizabeth had gold to share, and I want to share it with you:

Ok- the message is quite clear= exits sting! Nobody is trying to sugarcoat that. But… entrances into NEW seasons require exits from OLD ones!

And yes- pain in the beauty, pain in the progress, pain in the becoming! 💙

That's how you know it’s time to go. When it stings, when things leave that used to live there, when generous transitions allow space for new growth… confirmation that it’s time to move.

Literally or figuratively.

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Beautiful. And yes, I'll accept that :) ​

Thanks to our partner, HydraPak

I used to make a joke about hydration vests in our community group as the question of "Which vest? belt? handheld?" would come up over and over and over.

Back then I was a marathoner who didn't carry water while running; I had the extreme privilege of having bottles handed to me in my races.

Now I get it (sorry to those people who asked and I shut you down). It’s complicated, and if you are unsure where to start, this Instagram or Facebook post will help.

If you want the answer:

I love the HydraPak Tempo Pro, but my all-time favorite handheld is the HydraPak SkyFlask 350ml. I use this for runs and races for easy refill.

I love the HydraPak 1.5L bladder (or as they call it, reservoir) for putting in a vest on hot long run days.

And the HydraPak Ultra flasks are my favorite to go in my Naked vest or belt.​

Don't forget to use code TINAMUIR10 for 10% off

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Be kind to one another, yourself, and this beautiful planet of ours.

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