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Simply Inspired

2013 September 26
by WWGD

SimplyInspired-WhatWouldGwynethDo

It’s funny, when I entered my 30s five years ago (gasp!), all I craved in life was simplicity. I had a young daughter and knew I wanted another child shortly thereafter and after a long, tiring decade of working and hustling and navigating the daily grind in Los Angeles, I wanted simple.

I wanted a quiet little suburban life, with a two-car garage so I wouldn’t have to look for parking. I wanted to be able to walk to a park, make quick trips to Target when needed, smell fresh-cut grass and have my mom a stone’s throw away for support. I wanted life to be simple. I didn’t really care what it cost or what it took to get it. I just wanted it to be easy to navigate and a little slower-paced and routine. I wanted routine. I got all of the above and more when we moved from Los Angeles to the suburbs and for many years, it fed me. I looked around at the landscaped streets, watched people walking their dogs, drinking their Starbucks, filling up their carts with non-essentials at Target. And I loved the simplicity. I loved the ease with which you could grow and take care of a family of four (which we now were).

I appreciated it all.

Now I am halfway through this decade and simple seems so…routine. Still convenient. Still dependable. All good things. But I realized that the word, the feeling, the thing I am looking for now isn’t a simple life, it’s an inspiring one. I get sleep now (for the most part), my kids have the essentials they need, the day-to-day is nicely established and it works.

Now I am looking to feel inspired. I am looking for the conversation that will motivate me, inspire me, drive me. I am looking for that life-changing book. The perfect Pin. The dress or lipstick color or vase that will fill my eyes and soul with its beauty. I want to talk to people who are doing great things, or want to do great things or just dream of doing great things. I want to cook and taste and relish. I want to feel and hear and see. And I don’t care about it being simple. It can be complicated. It can be challenging. It can be intimidating.

My husband kind of hates me. Wasn’t I the one who wanted this simple, manicured suburban life? Yes. And I still do, in many ways. Real-life doesn’t make it easy to go chasing inspiration when you are 35, self-employed and have two young children to care for. Moving to Paris for a few months isn’t necessarily an easy – or smart – choice for us right now. But I don’t think that means I need to settle for simple. I can still strive for a life inspired. I can still seek out those great conversations and the people doing cool things and that glass of pinot noir that feeds my soul (hint: it’s not to be found at Target). And I have a feeling all four of us will benefit from this second half of my 30s, this next chapter I am looking to write.

I believe that simple was good for building a family. But inspiration is good for growing it.

9 Responses
  1. Emily permalink
    September 26, 2013

    This was so beautifully written! I’m younger but definitely have those same feelings- and drive my husband nuts. I want a house (let’s be honest, it’s mainly because I want to paint! walls! something note white!) but at the same time, we live in the St. Louis ‘burbs now, and I have deep urges to move to Chicago and get rid of our cars.
    But then, I think to myself, just stick to the burbs and start traveling and come back inspired.
    You do such a great job, so I love when you share what has inspired you and things you’re loving!

    • WWGD permalink*
      September 27, 2013

      Thank you so much, Emily. I know, it’s kind of a constant battle between what we “should” be doing and wanting and what we really want. I think I am just at a point where it’s time to figure out how to merge the two a little more…thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment. 🙂

  2. Liz Duncan permalink
    September 26, 2013

    LOVE THIS! No kids yet, but I’m already on the Inspiration train with no plan to get off anytime soon.

    • WWGD permalink*
      September 27, 2013

      Love that! Thanks for reading, Liz 🙂

  3. September 26, 2013

    Amen sister! I’m the same age as you and I think our kids are even the same age and I feel exactly the same way…getting bored with the routine…craving inspiration, needing a light to show me the way. I’m convinced it’s just around the corner.

    • WWGD permalink*
      September 27, 2013

      Yes! It has to be…we just may have to go looking for it, right?? 😉

  4. Kaly permalink
    September 27, 2013

    Really enjoyed this…hit home for me as we did just relocate our family back to a more urban environment. We’re trying to re-imagine our post-baby lives (our boys are now 6 & 7). I so relate to that craving for inspiration. It’s like now that the kids are a little bit older there’s more space for that in our lives, and we didn’t know how much we were missing it. But I don’t think inspiration is limited by where you live – maybe it’s more about where you look…

    • WWGD permalink*
      September 27, 2013

      I love that, Kaly. So very true. Would love to hear more about your move and what prompted it…and how it’s going! Email me if you have a chance: [email protected].

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