I've not read all the posts, but thank you for this thread! I was talking with a friend about this the other day, and I think that living simply isn't necessarily less actual "work" but more about the quality of the work you devote energy to and how is satisfies your needs as a person and a family.
Around here, it's been a process over the last 2 years or so. First step was our intention. Then it started to be purging/decluttering (still working on that). My DH got a new job, we moved to a new area and an old, larger house, which doesn't seem simple, but it's very organized and bare now, and just lovely with a huge fenced yard in an excellent neighborhood and will meet all of our family needs for the next 20 years at least (at which point kid(s) will likely be out and we can downsize). Our old house had lots of projects to do that felt urgent and this one doesn't...it can be chipped away at over time. Feels simpler to us.
We're down to one income and on a rather strict budget. It's simpler, really; we know what is coming and going at all times and it's a good way to manage any sort of buying of more stuff that could de-simplify.
No TV. No video games. Netflix for adult time in the evenings a few days a week. When we go to homes where the TV is on, it just automatically feels stressful. I should also add that we don't really listen to radio news or read news. We're sort of opting out of politics, current events and keeping up with the latest and greatest. We were laughing the other day, because DH suggested maybe we should leave DS with my dad and step mom for an afternoon so we could have a date. I asked what he wanted to do and he said "maybe go to the movies?" and we both said something along the lines of "but we don't know any movies that are out and don't want to spend $10 each to find out!"
A household chore chart that keeps things simple for me. I have to do these 3-5 things today, then the rest is just the usual, evolving rhythm with my toddler and I of eat, play, rest, tidy, walk, eat, rest, supper, etc.
Cooking and eating at home. Keeping an organized pantry and freezer keeps me from running to the store for this or that. Planning meals around what we have at home from our CSA share and what's left of our cow before the next one is ready in a few weeks. Preserving food...again, not less work, but essential, satisfying, uncomplicated work.
Spending most all free time outdoors or at home, enjoying ourselves and our beautiful surroundings. Lots of family time playing, at the beach, hiking, etc.
Not committing to a bunch of scheduled activities. We go to a story time at the library here and there, and meet up with some mamas and babies here and there. We walk to visit my grandmothers once or twice a week. Living in a small town keeps our options simple, too. If there's not a lot to do, one doesn't feel terribly pressed to engage in things. Weekly farmer's market and co-op trip is a fun outing that also is a necessary outing. We don't do much running around, which feels really nice. We don't plan to involve DS or future littles in a bunch of activities just to keep them busy. I think it's stressful for kids to do that, not to mention the family as a whole.
We've pretty much eliminated guilt about "keeping up with the Jonses" and also about donating or politely rejecting items that aren't in line with our family philosophies (e.g single purpose tools, toys, stuff that was gifted but not needed or wanted). I'm not saying that it never arises, but we're better at dealing with it.
Around here, it's been a process over the last 2 years or so. First step was our intention. Then it started to be purging/decluttering (still working on that). My DH got a new job, we moved to a new area and an old, larger house, which doesn't seem simple, but it's very organized and bare now, and just lovely with a huge fenced yard in an excellent neighborhood and will meet all of our family needs for the next 20 years at least (at which point kid(s) will likely be out and we can downsize). Our old house had lots of projects to do that felt urgent and this one doesn't...it can be chipped away at over time. Feels simpler to us.
We're down to one income and on a rather strict budget. It's simpler, really; we know what is coming and going at all times and it's a good way to manage any sort of buying of more stuff that could de-simplify.
No TV. No video games. Netflix for adult time in the evenings a few days a week. When we go to homes where the TV is on, it just automatically feels stressful. I should also add that we don't really listen to radio news or read news. We're sort of opting out of politics, current events and keeping up with the latest and greatest. We were laughing the other day, because DH suggested maybe we should leave DS with my dad and step mom for an afternoon so we could have a date. I asked what he wanted to do and he said "maybe go to the movies?" and we both said something along the lines of "but we don't know any movies that are out and don't want to spend $10 each to find out!"
A household chore chart that keeps things simple for me. I have to do these 3-5 things today, then the rest is just the usual, evolving rhythm with my toddler and I of eat, play, rest, tidy, walk, eat, rest, supper, etc.
Cooking and eating at home. Keeping an organized pantry and freezer keeps me from running to the store for this or that. Planning meals around what we have at home from our CSA share and what's left of our cow before the next one is ready in a few weeks. Preserving food...again, not less work, but essential, satisfying, uncomplicated work.
Spending most all free time outdoors or at home, enjoying ourselves and our beautiful surroundings. Lots of family time playing, at the beach, hiking, etc.
Not committing to a bunch of scheduled activities. We go to a story time at the library here and there, and meet up with some mamas and babies here and there. We walk to visit my grandmothers once or twice a week. Living in a small town keeps our options simple, too. If there's not a lot to do, one doesn't feel terribly pressed to engage in things. Weekly farmer's market and co-op trip is a fun outing that also is a necessary outing. We don't do much running around, which feels really nice. We don't plan to involve DS or future littles in a bunch of activities just to keep them busy. I think it's stressful for kids to do that, not to mention the family as a whole.
We've pretty much eliminated guilt about "keeping up with the Jonses" and also about donating or politely rejecting items that aren't in line with our family philosophies (e.g single purpose tools, toys, stuff that was gifted but not needed or wanted). I'm not saying that it never arises, but we're better at dealing with it.
Hey!
for a life with fewer possessions, but part of my journey toward peace means accepting that I can't control everything (i.e. spouse, kids, grandparents, etc.) and these people I love seem to actually enjoy their stuff...
He is still in Scouts this year, but that seems so much more manageable now that he is not also doing band. Maybe we should have limited it to one extacurricular activity all those years ago!
