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On Creating a Simple Life
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I think that a lot of people think living simply means
easy. And that is not the case at
all. It seems like every choice towards
“simple living” is complicated, and causes us to go against the flow of
everyday life in Western Culture.
I’m getting ahead of myself though. Let’s first decide what simple living
is. Defined by Tsh Oxenreider from the art of simple:
is. Defined by Tsh Oxenreider from the art of simple:
Simple Living is living holistically with your life’s purpose.
Seems easy enough, right?
No? I hope you are also saying
no, because whenever I see this definition, no matter how much I agree with it,
I can’t seem to wrap my head around it!
No? I hope you are also saying
no, because whenever I see this definition, no matter how much I agree with it,
I can’t seem to wrap my head around it!
That isn’t always the way it works though. Often times the most important first step is
to realize and document what is most important to you.
to realize and document what is most important to you.
For me that is my faith and my family.
Somehow, all the “other stuff” seems to get in the way all
the time. I don’t want to fall behind, I
want to do all the things, I want to see everything happen immediately, I don’t
want to wait. There is something about
this consumerist culture that I live in (consuming either products or
information) that I can’t get enough of.
Even though I can easily de-clutter my house and have very few
possessions, I am still always looking for more more more when it comes to
information and strategies to better myself, my life, my family, my faith.
the time. I don’t want to fall behind, I
want to do all the things, I want to see everything happen immediately, I don’t
want to wait. There is something about
this consumerist culture that I live in (consuming either products or
information) that I can’t get enough of.
Even though I can easily de-clutter my house and have very few
possessions, I am still always looking for more more more when it comes to
information and strategies to better myself, my life, my family, my faith.
It is overwhelming.
I talked a little last week how I failed miserably at
my #write31days
challenge this year. I wanted to write
about overcoming overwhelm, but instead caused myself to get sick, and more
overwhelmed in the process.
my #write31days
challenge this year. I wanted to write
about overcoming overwhelm, but instead caused myself to get sick, and more
overwhelmed in the process.
I don’t want to live my life like that! No one does, yet it is so easy for it to
start happening, isn’t it? It seems like
life takes on a life of its own, and I am helpless to fight against it. Instead of telling my life what to do, I get
swept up in all.the.things.
start happening, isn’t it? It seems like
life takes on a life of its own, and I am helpless to fight against it. Instead of telling my life what to do, I get
swept up in all.the.things.
When I saw that Tsh was going to do a mini video e-course on
the steps she takes in order to live a simple life, I knew that I had to jump
on that as soon as I could. Any type of
encouragement that I can get is an amazing amount of encouragement at this
point.
the steps she takes in order to live a simple life, I knew that I had to jump
on that as soon as I could. Any type of
encouragement that I can get is an amazing amount of encouragement at this
point.
I would love for you to join me in this FREE – did I mention that
before – video e-course designed to help you not feel so overwhelmed, and
instead move towards your goals for simple living.
before – video e-course designed to help you not feel so overwhelmed, and
instead move towards your goals for simple living.
I need to tell you that Tsh is amazing when it comes to her
encouragement. When she talks about
simple living, she knows that is different for everyone. I know that sometimes people think that
simple living is moving to a farm, and making everything from scratch; or
simple living is selling all your possessions, becoming a minimalist and moving
into a tiny home. That isn’t the case,
you can certainly live in a 4000sf home and still live a simple life, it is all
about your attitude, and your goals for your life.
encouragement. When she talks about
simple living, she knows that is different for everyone. I know that sometimes people think that
simple living is moving to a farm, and making everything from scratch; or
simple living is selling all your possessions, becoming a minimalist and moving
into a tiny home. That isn’t the case,
you can certainly live in a 4000sf home and still live a simple life, it is all
about your attitude, and your goals for your life.
I would love for you to join me.
What is one area of
your life that you would love to simplify, but haven’t found the tools you need
to do so?
your life that you would love to simplify, but haven’t found the tools you need
to do so?
For me a simple life is full of simple pleasures. Like noticing the beautiful white cloud formations against the blue sky as I'm driving to the grocery store. Pausing to say thank you as the sun sets, doing small acts of kindness that no one will know about. That's where the richness in simplicity is.
Yes. This. I definitely agree with all you said! I have been so frantic and harried this year, trying to take a step back and enjoy all the small things of life is very important to me in this season and moving into the new year!
I always need to take a look at simplifying my work schedule. I have come a long way but it still needs work 😉
Life is pretty simple, we are the ones who are complicating it by asking for too much or expecting too much. I think it's nice to just live a simple life with your loved ones, it's one of the best things!
I think so many times that I need to simplify but it always just seems to get crazier. I really need to take the steps.
Living a simple life is not as easy as many think….it is however a great thing to do
A simple life is different for everyone but I would love to simplify things for myself. I tend to get overwhelmed as well.
Ahhhhhh I would love to simply my work life so I can have more time with the family!!!! I have been pretty good at it lately, but there is definitely room for improvement
I love this! It has been my husband and my goal this year and it's been much harder than we thought it would be!
I love this idea that simple living is getting closer to one's purpose rather than trying to make your life easier, who wants an easy boring life? I want a fulfilling one!
Living a simple life sounds wonderful, but you are right, sometimes to accomplish such a task can leave you feeling overwhelmed. My problem is that I have so many interests and need to stay on top of lots of topics for my work.
Simple is always better. I hope to simplify my life in 2017 as well.
Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with life and the only way to reel me back in is with just something simple in life.
I love that you are teaching your kids about simplicity too. I would love to simplify my life during the hectic holiday season. I have that second baby on the way and life is about to feel crazy.
I want to simplify my place. I have a lot of stuff so I want to do better at organizing and make it less clutter.
You're so right that a "simple life" is different for every person. Every person I've asked has a different definition. 🙂
The one thing we want to do to simplify our lives is to downsize our house in the next few years. As our kids get older, and leave home, that seems to make sense…until one comes back for a bit! LOL
Simple living is good for the soul. I think we need to refresh and step back from all the material goods we have.
I think everyone has the right to live however they wish, so long as they are not harming anyone or themselves. I believe in this freedom of choice.