In my last post, I wrote about 2023 being the most amazing year of my life. As that year came to a close I felt a strong desire to simply do less so I committed to the motto Less is More in 2024!

We are now in the last quarter of the year – November to be exact – and I can’t help but to ask myself if I stayed true to my commitment. Did I really do less in order to experience more joy, more peace, more rest? Although it was a challenging feat, I honestly think I can answer that with a confident “yes”! Here’s why: 

• Fewer family trips: Looking back, I can’t believe that I went on three international trips (and at least six domestic flights) in the same year I gave birth. This year, we scratched extensive family trips and only took a flight to my hometown of Houston, Texas. I was eager to see my 91-year old Grandma for my birthday so we went to visit her. 
• Fewer celebrations: As much as I love throwing parties, we tried our best to keep the celebrations small so we only hosted parties for the kids. Olajuwon turned one in January with the party theme “My First Rodeo” and Tayo turned five with a Super Mario themed-birthday surrounded by 30 of his friends, classmates, and neighbors.  
• Career Pause (or Pivot): The most impactful shift I made this year was to step away from professional work for a while. It was a difficult decision but it was the right one to make. Since leaving I have been tapping into things that bring me joy and purpose like spending quality time with my family and volunteering with some of my favorite nonprofits here in the DC metro area.

This website and blog were also born out of my desire to fill my life with more things that felt intentional and purposeful – and so here we are! I’m just warming up my fingers so I appreciate you tuning in at this early stage when I haven’t quite figured out my direction. 

As we approach the end of year, you may be thinking about ways to Do Less in order to Feel More. Here are a few resources and platforms that really helped me embrace simpler living: 

• Alecia Renece on YouTube: I love so many of her messages but one that really resonates is Slow is Love. Take your time and listen in when you have a quiet evening. 
• Mother Untitled on Instagram: This platform was very affirming as I questioned my decision to leave my career as I know it and worried about my identity without the professional titles I’ve always been connected to. 
• The Great Realignment by Amanda Miller Littlejohn: If you’re looking for guidance on how to get clear on your purpose and live a life of abundance that also includes rest, you will appreciate all that Amanda has to share. Her new book, The Rest Revolution, will be released soon and I’m looking forward to reading it. 

Thanks for tuning in to another post! Less was certainly more in 2024. I haven’t decided on my motto for 2025. Have you started thinking about a grounding slogan for next year?