7.10.16

News, Norfolk and Links









Hello. Ready for a catch-up? August and September have passed by with their late summer splendour and I find myself in early (no double figures yet) October ready for an amalgamation of blog posts. Think Minimalist Monday, Friday Links and holiday highlights - all on a Friday night. Not very minimalist, I agree, but I feel I need to dip my toes back into the water before my fragile blogging skills surreptitiously sink. This year has taken an unexpected turn as I've somehow taken on more work. Since working almost full-time since January on a temporary basis I've been working full-time as a permanent class teacher since September. It's been five years since I was last in this position and so it's taken a while to adjust to the pace and demands involved. I'm quickly adjusting and enjoying my new job. Luckily, I have lots of support and love at home to see me through. Working full-time is a choice and therefore I feel quite free.

Did you have a good summer? I do hope so, and for anyone in the Southern Hemisphere I hope you're enjoying early spring. Holiday photos have an almost mythical quality don't you think? These shots were taken in North Norfolk where I spent a few days with my mum at Brancaster Staithes. It was such an unspoilt and beautiful spot. Running along the back of our hotel along the marshland coastline was magical and exciting and I would love to return to this area again.Think colourful beach huts, seal watching and sea lavender. Pretty mesmerising. 

So, minimalism and working full-time? I think it can work. I really do, Yes, I have less time but my free time is more precious and therefore carefully planned or wisely used. There's still time for simple pleasures: early morning radio, reading, weekend walks, cafe dates, and seeing friends. Sometimes life gets frantic but then it always did. My minimalist wardrobe, mindfulness and gratitude techniques are powerful tools that I didn't possess five years ago. I find myself drawn to minimalist and simple living blogs more than ever. However, I refuse to be a pawn in the simple living industry and read selectively. 

And so onto a few links which I have found useful, inspiring and entertaining. Please pop in and say hello and let me know your current simple pleasure, news or views. I've missed you and Just a little less. It's four years old now and here to stay. 




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17 comments

  1. Welcome back. Have missed your posts and so glad you're not giving up blogging as very inspiring. Quite agree we take minimalism and suit it to our own lifestyle. Lovely read.

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  2. You have the tools and experience to navigate this season of your life. And I so agree about refusing "to be a pawn in the simple living industry and read selectively." Do well and BE well!

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  3. Nice to see you back, I'm off to checkout the links now :-)

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  4. Glad to hear that all is well with you, and good to see you back again.

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  5. Welcome back. So true about free time being more precious when we have less time. Great post, and thank you for those beautiful photos!

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  6. Welcome back, missed your posts

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  7. Hi Claire glad you are here, I was thinking about you just recently! I am hot on your tail with minimalism...interesting to begin full time work again with new tools and ideas. X

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  8. Lovely to hear from you! Glad the new job is going well. Beautiful photos of Norfolk. We've had a few holidays on the North Norfolk coast, really enjoyed visiting places like Brancaster Staithe.

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  9. Maybe minimalism is even more relevant to us who are full-timers. I'm discovering Norfolk as my brother and his new wife live there. It's nearly as beautiful as Devon! xx

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  10. So very happy to see a post from you Clare and learn that you are not going to abandon blogging! It's wonderful to know that your minimalist values are guiding and helping you manage the twists and turns of life and that you are enjoying being back to full-time teaching. Thanks also for the links and congratulations on your four years of blogging.

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  11. Hey Claire,
    How lovely to see you here! I shall be having a gander at all of your links. They are always so interesting. As a dip into the toe of minimalism, I threw out loads of cookery books that were trying to get me to eat less, get thinner and admit that sugar is indeed the devil. I felt very cleansed ;))
    Leanne xx

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  12. So glad to hear from you, Claire! It seems as though your cleanse of fast living over the past 4 years has prepared you to go back with a new mindset. What is the age of the students you work with? I love your photos of the flat coast and the subtle tones of the horizon. And the beach houses on stilts! I hope you will enjoy local life and festivals this Fall.

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  13. It has brightened my afternoon to find your blog post - good to hear you are coping with full time teaching! Not long until half term...

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  14. So glad to see you back Claire :) I know the demands of full time teaching, and I'm glad to hear you are still having time for the things you enjoy, as well as teaching. I hope the new school year is going well for you. We are in our final term for the year over here so everything is starting to wind down a little towards Christmas and the summer break. All the best :)

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  15. Lovely pictures. Especially love the beach huts

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  16. Your photos are lovely - the place you went on holiday to looks so beautiful! Norfolk is definitely on my holiday destination wish list!

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  17. It's good to see you back Claire! I've often wondered how you are and I'm glad you're enjoying working full time. We had a wonderful holiday in Norfolk at half term - it was our first visit and we really fell in love with the place. x

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Thanks for reading and leaving your comments. Keep in touch xo

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