Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

And, now for something completely different!

It’s Friday (yep, again) when I go off the biz brain grid and write about whatever. Honestly, reading the headlines is enough to send me under the bed with a gallon of vodka (forget chillin’, forget the martini glass, who needs olives? I’m glugging straight from the bottle!) And, sure, we should keep informed about things like global warming, racial injustice, genocide, and war (so we can do something about them) - but there is also a lot of good news. You just have to search a bit for it. But, that search is actually pretty easy - often the good stuff is right in your own home, neighborhood and city.

Which brings me to the “Not So Big” Life. I’m a huge fan of Sarah Susanka and her Not So Big home design philosophy. I’ve practically memorized her books and they were a big factor in my recent home purchase. I don’t need sweeping cathedral ceilings and space for the sake of space. I’m far happier (and more efficient) in my small 1950s-era home. It’s designed for comfortable living, versus impressing people. (No, that’s not my house picture above - it’s a home from Tumblewood Tiny House, a way cool - um - “not so big” company.)

As I’ve gotten older, I’m much more focused on quality of life versus quantity - Money is a good thing, but I strive for richness of experience. So, “Not So Big” is more than home design to me - it’s become how I live my life. And, as part of that living, I appreciate the rich experience of things like:

1. My neighbors’ children rolling down their front lawn. No computer games, no fancy toys…just two young girls enjoying the feel of the grass and being silly.

2. The rainbows that show up with great regularity right across the street.

3. Talking over the low 50s’-era back fence to my neighbor about those kids and rainbows (and why my grass looks better than his. heh)

4. Albuquerque’s great museums. If you visit, don’t miss ‘em! And, if you have kids (or are a kid at heart) the Explora! Science Museum is a must!

5. Going to bed with a good “rippin’ good read” book. (Not necessarily great literature).

6. Farmer’s Markets. We’re lucky to have several wonderful ones around the area. I particularly like the one in Corrales since it starts at the oh-so-civilized hour of 9 a.m.

7. Running up to Santa Fe on a whim for art fairs and such. (and, looking for the fun of it - with no compulsion to buy things for the sake of possession.)

8. Taking a break from work for fun “conversations” with blogging buds about things like Sci-Fi. (Oh, wow! You’re a geek too? Way cool!)

9. Going out of my way to shop at locally-owned “Not So Big” businesses. Personal service, nice people, more dollars back into the local economy. What’s not to love?

And so on and so forth - what’s on your “Not So Big” list?

(More: Here’s a cool “Not So Big” break in bits and bytes over at Social Customer Manifesto. Love the little retro “teardrop” trailer!)

Related Posts:
Finally! It’s Friday Again!
Miscellaneous Martini Musings
Rainy Friday Ramblings
Finally! A Friday Post

Want to share a “Not So Big” idea? Email me!

Tags: Mary Schmidt, contentment, Not So Big