SIMPLE Such a Joy

 Good morning to one and all.  Happy to have you here today.  I hope you are all well and good!

A bit of an overcast morning here - maybe some rain coming.  YAY!  We can use it.

I have fed the babes, been out to feed the critters and picked a huge bouquet for my neighbor to take to work.  She works at a nursing facility and has a couple hospice patients that get no visitors (so sad).  So, she will divide the flowers between them - hopefully it will make them smile, if just for a moment.

FYI - Hey kids - 6 months from today is Christmas!!!!!  LOL

We talk about living a simpler life and living with less.  Living BELOW our means, and just using what we have and being happy.   Well, I think many of us who have been around the block a few times get it.  There are newer folks here that may not.

You truly don't have to have all the fancy stuff and the newest devices.  You don't need the biggest house, or the fancy car.  You don't need tons of clothes or brand names.  You can keep your meals simple and be healthy and full and happy!

I read this recently and love this.  No name was given for the quote.

"You can't change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination."

Boy is that true.  

You have to decide what is important to you and then make a plan to get there.  It isn't an easy trip, and it takes time and some work.  When you live a simpler life, it doesn't take as much time to get there!

You truly don't have to do without things to live a simple life.  You just adjust.  You can have a nice SMALL home with fewer nice items inside.  You can have many a great meal, using what you have and being creative.  You can have nice clothes for you and your family for less - think thrift stores and yard sales.  There is NO shame in this.  HONEST!

You can actually have more - by living a simple life.  More happiness, more joy, more funds, more creativeness, more family time - more PEACE.

You will learn about yourself and what it truly takes to make you happy and what it takes to feel content.  You may be very surprised!

No matter how many designer clothes you have, how fancy your house or car, or how much money you save - you aren't getting out of this life alive!  No one will be remembering those things at your funeral.  They will remember your kindness and your love.

The reason we 'prep' or keep a stocked pantry and freezer, is so we can just use what we have, no rushing out or spending on the spur of the moment.  We buy things on sale, on clearance and for the best price we can - so we can have that stocked pantry.  We grow anything that we can - even if it is just lettuce or some herbs.

We glean if possible.  We learn 'old time' ways of canning and freezing our abundance.  Making a few jars of jelly is so satisfying and it tastes so yummy.

If you or yours enjoy hunting or fishing - you have a resource to free protein and you do something that you find enjoyable.

All of these things allow us to have plenty and to eat quite well.

Yard sales and thrift stores allow us to decorate our homes with little money, or to have some clothing items (basics) for little.  They can help with our crafting as well - cheaper yarn, material and craft supplies.

Children outgrow clothing so fast and get bored with toys quickly - no problem when you are buying them cheaper.

Start a clothing, toy or book swap in your neighborhood.  You know you aren't the only one looking to save a little and live a little simpler!

As many of us get older, we are going for a simpler lifestyle.  It just feels better.  We have finally realized what matters and what doesn't.  Many younger folks and those just starting the frugal journey, haven't learned this yet.  Maybe this will set the idea in someone's head.

Simple is lovely!

Be happy and content and do it with less stuff and more JOY!

Have a wonderful day.