is simple living a plus or a minus?

[forestdale]

Has simplifying your life given you the benefits you thought you'd get?

We all have come to this lifestyle for different reasons, some were forced into it, some came voluntarily. When you first started, you must have thought you'd get something good from it. Has it worked out that way or are you still waiting for the rewards?

For me, it's given me a life I'm excited about again. I used to have that but I lost it somewhere along the way, now it's returned. I can see all sorts of wonderful possibilities. I feel secure about my choices and I feel like I've given myself a gift. I'm much more self aware now and I have time to be myself. On the negative side, one of my friends is not comfortable with how I am now and prefers the fast-paced, free-spending me. Oh well.

How about you, what changes and benefits has living simply given you?

[Darlene]

Happy as a bug in a rug.
Choosing this lifestyle:
~ has allowed me to stay at home and raise our kids
~buy and pay off our home
~satisfaction that only comes from working hard & doing it yourself.
~helped me find the joy in simple things & be perfectly content not having the new, latest & greatest.
& so much more...

Now doing all that one one income has been fine for us but when Dh retires and isn't making the $$ he used to we've got to go to plan b where I start working to help supplement his retirement $$. Still live the simple life & with the kids off on their own we won't need as much money. Need to pay the bills, take care of our health, save for a rainy day and enjoy life.

[SusieJD]

I can't say that I'm always comfortable with it. Whenever I find myself "backed" into a corner of wheather to spend the money and get what is necessary and feel guilty about buying it or not getting what we need and trying to do the best with what we have.

But, it's always been that way. There have been times when I've been "forced" into it by not having the money to purchase what I need and learning to do without.

I do love to put the money away in the bank.

Susie in MN

[MJsLady]

I love it though Mj was sort of forced into it.
For us it seems though the simpler we get the tighter the circumstances get as well...

[Jeanna]

I may look at simpler living different than some. Money has alway been an issue weather we had it or not. I think for us simpler living means slowing down. Realizing that to be sucessful doesn't have to mean having a new car or even owning a house. It means to live for something you love. I am still working but we have a farm with animals that give us joy and teach our children about life.
But again I was raised in the country and then tried the other life and came back. I think it was in my soul all along.
I do not see any disadvantages at all.

[Michelle]

I'm still in the process of simplifying, but I have noticed that I am not as stressed any more because I am better at saying "no"

[guest2]

I'm on the path to simplicity and going further down it all the time. I'm still trying to learn how to say "no" to the good things and save my "yes" for the best. I love being able to be home with my kids and for the most part enjoy homeschooling them (there are days though when they are driving me nuts and I'd love nothing more than to let someone else deal with them , can you tell what kind of a morning I've had????). I know that I am the kind of person who cannot work full time, be a good parent and still be there for my hubby. I get burnt out too easily. I want to be able to give my best to my family and for me that means having a comfortable home filled with love, good things to eat, the feeling of a job well done, lots of laughter. My home is not large by any means (in fact we are kind of cramped here) but everyone is welcome and it has become a refuge for many people that are hurting. My garden brings us great joy and lots of wonderful good things to eat and to share with others. My cats bring us lots of love and entertainment. My family works hard together to make this place nice and I so enjoy this lifestyle. I don't want to try and keep up with the Jones family, I just want to do the best I can for my family!