Revisiting My Simple Life

Simple Living is Beautiful.

I often find it fun to see where our inspiration takes us when we allow ourselves to be guided.  One morning last week, I felt compelled to re-read  ”Simplify Your Life” by Elaine St. James in one sitting.  Because I have been on this simplifying journey for quite some time, I enjoyed seeing how far I have come.  But what I REALLY enjoyed was seeing a few areas I can still simplify even more.

Some of the things on the list will be for our future home(s) and experiences, but I wrote them down so I can be mindful of the transition. Plus I can now let go f the book and pass it along to a friend who is also looking at ways to simplify her life.

So, here are the things I want to bring into my life.

1. Have no lawn, or at least a small one.  Right now we have a very natural setting.  I want to make sure this is something we find in our future homes.
2. Move to a smaller home.
3. Share meals out.
4. Take vacations at home.  We did that this Thanksgiving and really enjoyed ourselves!
5. Reduce the needs for goods/services.
6. Go take a walk.
7. Get up an hour earlier.  I find that I am really good with this for a week, and then I slide into sleeping in, because I can.
8. Be in bed by 9:00 one night a week.
9. Slow down to posted speed limit.
10. Review life regularly to keep it simple.
11. Rent rather than own.  I know we are ready for a home-ownership break, so the next place we move may be a rental.  We will see how we like that experience.
12. Simple wardrobe.
13. Let go of all skin care and nutritional products.  This has proven to be more freeing than I ever imagined.  Don’t worry, I am being very mindful of the food I am eating, so I know I am getting what I need (wink.) While I realize this would not make it simple for others, it has definitely made my life more simple and natural.

So, how do you see yourself simplifying your life? Maybe it is letting go of unused items, turning off the TV, do yoga, learn to meditate, work less, or something else I mentioned above.

Whatever you decide, it is important to remember it is a process and a learning experience.  In my opinion, it is definitely worth it.  I love the simple life I have defined for myself.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

The ability to simplify means

to eliminate the unnecessary

so that the necessary may speak.
-Hans Hofmann

 

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