21 Things a Simpler Life Is
It is not enough if you are busy. The question is, What are you busy about? –Henry David Thoreau
I apologize for slipping away last week – just in time to reveal our decluttering progress! As many of you know, Martin and I are in awe of how country neighbors help one another. So that’s just what we were doing. I got to spend a lot of time outside and with a frugal, inspiring old man.
He inspires me every time I see him; he’s like our neighborhood Thoreau. He doesn’t share this wisdom with his words. He teaches you through his actions. Is there an inspiring older person in your life? And what has he or she taught you about life? What has this person shown about slowing down and savoring? This is my list.
A simpler life is:
- starting fewer projects
- finishing more projects
- savoring the small stuff instead of sweating it
- spending less
- embracing more
- building genuine relationships
- slowing down
- walking more and driving a little less
- avoiding one-purpose kitchen gadgets
- living smaller if we choose
- listening more
- eating fewer factory foods
- making more with your own hands
- tasting more
- smiling more
- inhaling more
- zipping around less
- striving for excellence; forgetting the absolute need for perfection
- feeling comfortable just as you are
- …and just how you look
- …and just with what you have
What would you add? A simpler life is…
- deliberate
- in-the-moment
(though not necessarily _for_ the moment – planning ahead is a good thing! :) )
- listening to “real” music, not recordings (and “real” music includes the sounds of daily life)
Relaxing more!
I have to agree with the smaller space – I just spent some time away in a 400 sq ft cottage, and was amazed that it was all that I needed! It makes me think that perhaps my current home is not too small, but instead to big… :o)
Having time to just breathe each day!
Enjoying where you are and what is available to you . . . just look around.
Enjoying the moment you’re in, simply because God gave it to you. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so we should relish in today!
Your story reminded me of an 82 year old man in my neighborhood who used to run marathons when he was younger. Obviously, age has slowed him down, but his dedication remains the same. Every day at the same hour, no matter the weather, he puts on running shoes and heads out for what I can best describe as a very slow power walk. His arms sway like he’s running, but his legs are walking. When I see him go by my window he inspires me to dedicate myself to my own exercise routine. His actions are simple: “Oh! It’s 9 o’clock. Put on shoes and head out the door. Move the body.” Uncomplicated.
…being grateful
…growing your own vegetables.
I decluttered and re arranged our “mud room” – do you all call them that? It’s the back entrance to the house where you take off your big coats and boots in the winter before getting into the house. The weather turned cold this week, so it seemed like a good thing to prepare.
Do you know, I”ve been meaning to get to that project for 6 months? 6 months of occasionally thinking “wow, I should really get to that mud room” It took me 3 hours to finish. Think of all the extra space in my head I would have had for other things had I done the project when I thought of it initially.
Living in the moment for me has a lot to do with just getting up and doing it instead of thinking about doing it! I had a yoga teacher who would say “If not now, when?” I think that line is starting to sink in with me!
I love that, Andrea. “If not now, when?”
And I love Jennifer’s story of her neighbor.
Thanks for being here with me.
Katie
I’m constantly thinking about how to simplify my life more as a means to embrace the present moment and truly experience life. I love your list :)
I’m trying to watch less TV, which is actually just a means to do many of the other things on your list, like connecting with people more, making things, and finishing projects. I’d be happy with getting rid of the TV, but I don’t think my husband would support that! I also try to get as close to my food as possible– shopping farmer’s markets, supporting CSAs, growing my own, and of course, lots and lots of cooking. And connecting with and appreciating nature is part of my simple life–taking walks, honoring nature through environmental efforts, etc.
And thank you for the kind comments on my blog! I’m glad you are inspired!
What a beautiful and simple post…simply put, simply beautiful! I would being present to each moment. I walk my dogs each day and very quickly start thinking about the day, or tomorrow and I have to consciously stop myself and pay attention to the lovely sun, the grass, the fresh air…very important…thanks Katie
I love your list. I should create one and hang it above my desk. While I want always to be working towards simplifying choices, I find that it comes and goes in spells, it seems. I say this as I sit in a cluttered, full studio, overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I hang onto. Sigh.
Love this list, Katie. It takes deliberate effort to simplify and it is not about being a zealot, but actually putting your heart and attention in your actions rather than just going through the motions. It is about being deliberate rather than habitual. It takes effort in a world designed to keep us from thinking about what we’re doing and how we fit in the bigger picture.
I’m in the process of simplifying my “digital” world and discovering some of my favorite feeds weren’t migrating to Outlook the way they were supposed to. Taking the time to migrate them all to Google Reader so I won’t lose you (and them) again.