
I have really been thinking about what I mean when I say that we live a simple life. Simplicity is different for every person. For some it may be as little as a way of thinking or philosophy whilst for others it may mean complete self sufficiency. We are all at different stages and phases in our lives and no one way is correct. So my question to you is.... if you say you live simply, how do you define it ?
Over the years since our first child was born we seem to phase in and out of our simple living mode. It seems that we are on track for a while then slowly drift off the path until we have totally lost the plot and then we have a giant revamp and get it all back on track again.
When we first started trying to be more frugal and live a bit more old fashioned I used to joke about how I could close the front gate and feel as though I was on 30,000 acres. We used to laugh and say our family motto was "peace, love and vegetables".
Over time the idea of simplicity has changed somewhat, particularly as the children got older. When I think of living simply now I think of the following things that suit us as a family:
1. Cooking from scratch - for that 'old fashioned feeling', less food additives and much cheaper and healthier.
2. Working with a cash budget
3. Planning Menus
4. Not watching commercial TV - minimising advertising exposure
5. Playing together as a family
6. Living in a home that we own - not living beyond our means
7. Working part time
8. Growing what we can
9. Reducing belongings and clutter
10. Eating locally where possible
11. Having a grocery stockpile
12. Making our own bread
13. Composting our food scraps
14. Riding our bicycles instead of using the car
15. Thinking before we buy anything
The list goes on. I guess the biggest thing for me is a sense of control. Not feeling as though we are adrift in the ocean being knocked around by every wave that comes in.
I believe that when you are living a life authentic to your inner values you will experience a sense of peace. Once you have this feeling, it is easy to know when you go off the path and it's great to have that sense of peace return when you are back on track.
I would love to know your thoughts on this. Drop me a line.