#Upsides

I apologize in advance for the checklist style format recently. I realize it's a cop out from drafting actual prose, but lists are kind of how my brain has been working recently.

There is a lot of grimy muck in my world right now. Despite that, I am trying to focus on all the good stuff in life. There is plenty. I also find myself thinking about the upsides of this big upheaval. Some of them are petty and small and insignificant, but I think it's helping me through the day. Helping me get to the other side of the mountain, or at least see the view on the other side.

Without further ado, I present to you #TheUpsides. Or, Hashtag: The Upsides...

- I have a lot more closet space. My clothes are lest smushed up and wrinkly, and they are easier to find.

- There is less furniture in the house, which is particularly great in the basement because Johan has a more spacious indoor play area now. And, I am inspired to make it even cooler by having areas for legos/blocks, cars, dinosaurs etc. Having the bigger toys all in the basement will make the main floor of the house less cluttered and there will be more room in Johan's bedroom for his books. All good things.

- I don't ever dread going home, wondering if somebody is going to be in a bad mood or looking for an argument.

- There is no tension in our house. There is no animosity or distant silence. There is just Johan and me playing and laughing and chatting about what to do next. The lack of tension makes me feel more energy to take on fun experiments or random projects with Johan. My heart feels lighter and I am willing to bet Johan's does, too.

- I have a new bed which is just as firm as firm can be. All it needs is a nice plush feather bed to top it, and I will be in business. Even in spite of the turmoil recently, I have been sleeping great and I think it's all because of my new bed.

- No more main floor/living room TV. In college, we never had a TV and it was so peaceful. Well, ok, we had one at the Compound senior year, but Moira made us keep it in Sarah's closet. Finally we tricked her into keeping in the in the living room, but we had to cover it with some sort of belly dancing scarf. Anyway, while living with Eduardo, we have always had too many television sets and have had the TV on too much for my taste. I like a night of Law and Order or Family Guy as much as anyone, but TV can be such an energy-sucker. We still have one in the basement and I have one in my bedroom for watching Friends while I fall asleep, but no more on the main level. Instead, we have music. It is, at the risk of sounding dorky, glorious. I haven't listened to music at home in a long time and I haven't heard a lot of my CDs in years. In the past couple weeks, Johan has heard Manu Chau, Vivaldi, Wyclef for the first time. It puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step. It makes the house feel like a happy home.

There are more #upsides and I will probably share them as I realize them, but for now, that's a pretty good start.