Simply living a simple life

**peanut** · 08-26-2009, 03:38 PM

Thanks tracyq. I didn't realize till later on in the thread that perSue had the time, just not the support of her family. That her real emphasis is on minimalism. Not being a minimalist myself, I admit I can sympathize with her male members of household! But there are times when I just seriously need to do a de-clutter to streamline my life.

I do see organization and frugality all linked to simplicity. To me it all works together to create the life you want to live. And not just organization of stuff...but also my time and abilities.

I too like the idea of journalling. I have tons of journals all over the place right now. My only advice is limit the number of journals you have going at one time!

I am looking at cleaning my living room today and shaking my head at my stack of journals - all for different things. I really must focus better and stick to one journal till it's completed...then move onto another journal... But they're all on different topics... Well, you see where that has got me!

**cab54** · 08-27-2009, 12:55 PM

Like many who have responded to your post, I think you are my kindred spirit!

90% of the things I do and the way I live, are because it's so hard to be outside the 'norm' of my family. That means I'm only doing 10% of my life the way I want. I'm almost 55, and feel like I'm always doing what everyone else wants.

I would have sooooooo much less 'stuff', and complication, and chaos in my life, given the chance.

We should start a "If I could live completely the way I want" Kith.

**perSue** · 08-27-2009, 03:03 PM

LOL I like that Kith... I know I'd be a member of it.
But I'd feel guilty because rather than "IF" I would want to make myself live at least 85% (or more would be nice) of my life MY way...
the rest is conforming for family needs/wants - which is ok... and then "society" and work.
Right now I too am living well below my desire... but I want to change it... I'm working to change it... slowly, and boy is it slow! LoL
But I'm getting there.

Thanks for replying

**zakity** · 08-27-2009, 03:21 PM

I like the "little at a time" idea. And, I agree... Cookies and yummy stuff is the way to win them over. Isn't there an old adage that says something about the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

**rsbs** · 08-27-2009, 04:45 PM

I had a big/ long reply typed out & decided to delete it. I was projecting. *sigh*
I understand your position, I have issues with society as well. AND my DH isn't very supportive. I litterally have to do most of my kitchen work (mixes, doughs, jam, jelly, etc) when he is not home.

We (as a society) are finally starting to feel the affects of what commercialism does to us. You would think more people would learn by now. That said, teenagers are VERY susceptable to marketing & peer pressure - & DH are sometimes just oblivious until they see the rewards.
Live your life & be yourself. Take it one step at a time & I know we'll both get there!

**perSue** · 08-31-2009, 01:35 PM

I wanted to say thanks to you all...
The past week or so I've been baking bread, made no-bake cookies, homemade soup... I've started a couple homemade xmas gifts, I've written a letter to an old friend, I'm back enjoying my kitchen where I sit with my cup of tea or coffee reading a book or browsing a magazine...

Of course all this will become minimal when my schedule picks up next week... but I want to keep a habit. I'd love to bake homemade bread at least on the weekends, maybe just a loaf or two.
Make cinnamon rolls or coffee cake as a special breakfast on Sunday once in a while.

I'm getting where I want to be very slowly... but it's making an effort. If i see how simple it is now with little restriction on my schedule, when I do have less time, I will know it takes only 20 min to mix/knead the bread and I can leave it to rise while I study, clean or go to work.

thanks!!!

**Lora88** · 09-01-2009, 06:19 AM

persue its noteasy when others dont think as you do for example I have 4 children oldest has 2 houses drives a beamer 2nd has a 4 bedroom 3 bath house (hes single) and drives a 70,000 $ yukon Denali youngest thinks the more you buy the happier you are my daughter is the only frugal one in the bunch lol. Hubby would go along but is caught up in the work spend trap cause thats how life is what can you do mindset. I have found out how empty alot of things are and justwish everyone could just slow down I try to tell them you dont need 15 pairs of shoes but it falls on deaf ears Im afraid I have started to declutter and live simply and I know gradually it will happen it takes time to change people and maybe the way they live is right for them I know it is not right for me I always wanted a little brick house on the side of the road and to be a friend to man and I will get there

**perSue** · 09-01-2009, 10:24 AM

Lora88, it's amazing the family's we have isn't it?
My family of origin, well let's just say all but 1 of them are spenthrifts. Money is spent before they have it. Sure they have kids and pets and big houses & are living in a way according to a lifestyle they want to show people (a lotta times I see work as the main source of this pressure). And that's ok to conform to a point.
But myself and my mother are pretty frugal. I'm more so and get razzed by the family of origin - IF they speak to me that is (a whole 'nother story!) LOL.

Anyway, I think it's frustrating to me at times that my (now) family doesnt always see why it is that I do things.
Someone else posted the idea of making homemade goodies... and I have been.. and they're all gone! LOL
Homemade bread, coffee cake, no-bake cookies, granola (for me), soup, etc. It's enjoyed... I do this anyway, but recently I've been making an effort to do it more than once in a while.
But some of the other things, they don't always get. Sure they tease me, but it's not mean. Heck, I tease 'em back for wasting! LOL

It still amazes me though to see that the family I came from, we're all SO different. Thanks for posting.

**peanut** · 09-01-2009, 11:44 AM

It is interesting to see how such different people could come from the same family of origin, isn't it? I used to think I was the frugal one in our family...till I met my little sister as an adult. WOW! That's a whole other level than where I'm at! Course her family is twice as big and they are small business owners...a lot of her approach is borne out of necessity.

But I hear you about simplifying when those around you don't want to. I have a similar struggle here. I can do so much with DH and then he rebels and wants to be like everyone else - throwing his money around.

I don't have kids at home so my life has become much simpler in the last year. I can set my own schedule and spend time on the things that really matter to me when DH is at work. When he's home it's a little more complicated.

I guess what I'm saying is it won't always be like this. And if you create those pockets of time and a space where you can get away by yourself (I have an away room in the basement that doubles as a guest bedroom), then you can bring a bit of simplicity into your life at home.

**GenB** · 09-02-2009, 12:42 PM

I am so happy to see this post. About 5 years ago DH and I realized we were in way too much debt and trying entirely too hard to keep up with other people whose lifestyles were not necessarily healthy.

We backed way off of spending, made do with less and changed our entire way of thinking, practically over night. Our teenagers did have a bit of a problem with some things but I'll tell you in all honesty - the peace that comes from a simple, uncluttered and mindful life is something no amount of money can ever buy. Slowly the kids are getting on board.

DH even balked at first but after seeing the produce from our small garden and eating home cooked from scratch meals of healthy, whole foods, he's changed his mind. He will never want to live as simply as I do (I'd love to be completely off the grid) but he's much better. Quiet nights at home with good books, a long bike ride by the river, thinking hard about what we consume and doing without things that are not necessary, all of this has lowered his blood pressure considerably and we are able to whittle away at our debt more than we ever have.

Here's a bonus - it has brought us much closer as a couple. We share common interests now and look for inexpensive ways to spend time together. It has opened a line of communication that we've never had. We talk things over, make decisions together and generally think before we buy.

I think he has finally realized that a simple life is a life well lived and brings a deep peace of mind and satisfaction that simply can not be found in a face paced, expensive lifestyle.

Life is, indeed, good.