Howdy all. Another hot one here - nothing new to report on that front. Another day, another hot and humid day!!! Actually doesn't feel too bad this morning.
I hope this finds you all safe and well and staying cool.
HOME - what is it for you? It can be something different for everyone. A SIMPLE life - the same. It means something different to us all.
I want life to be as simple as possible, as pretty as possible (in my eyes), and I want it to be cozy.
The "American" dream or the DREAM for your area - used to be the little house and the white picket fence! Today, I believe it is whatever you make it. As long as you like it - it is the dream.
Some need a big home, some a little one. Some like antiques, retro, modern, cluttered, minimalistic, barn life, bohemian OR a combo of it all! That is just fine. You may have an expensive home or a very inexpensive one - it truly doesn't matter, as long as you are happy. You are the one that MAKES it a home!
I have no desire to live like others or covet what they have. I do me!!! You don't have to like it or approve - that doesn't matter. YOU do YOU!
I think we all need to slow down and savor the season we are in. Love the spot in life that you are. You may have children at home, or your partner, you may be alone, you may have boarders - just make the best of that situation. Each day is a gift.
Savor the summer and the gift of fresh produce.
Savor the rain when it comes.
Savor the family get togethers - no matter how often or sparse they are.
Savor your home - you have one.
Savor life!
Everyone seems to be in a hurry today. Slow down! What is the worst that can happen? Something has to wait a little longer.? You relax a little more.
Try taking the backroads in life instead of the highway!!!!!! This can be both a figurative statement and a true statement. Maybe a trip (or things) takes a bit longer taking the backroads - generally the scenery is so much better! Enjoy it.
Before moving on the next big thing - LEARN to repurpose the old thing first!
Just a reminder, that whatever you have, wherever you are in life, no matter the season - LIVE and ENJOY. Enjoy those little ones. Enjoy your spouse or partner. Enjoy and embrace single life the best you can. Make new friends, renew friendships, do things - just move forward.
No matter what type of home you have - make it yours! It doesn't have to cost a lot - just do little things. Add a little paint, move the furniture around, create things, re-evaluate things, keep it clean, plant a flower, grow a garden (big or little), enjoy the nature - just enjoy and make it you.
Going into a simplified life can be a little work. Letting go of things not needed takes work and time. Getting back to basics - needs a new mindset. But that work, can be so rewarding in getting you a nice simple, cozy life. You don't have to do it all at once. Take your time. Sit back and just chill some days - that is OK too!!!
Enjoy each day to the fullest and live a GOOD life.
Have a super day.
I'm striving for a simple life. But that doesn't mean I'm not busy! But it's a different kind of busy. Not the frantic kind of my past. This is a "my days are fully occupied " kind of busy. I'm working on a vintage cross stitch that I think will be lovely in my living room. In fact, I'm spending more time making handmade things for my home because I think it adds a warmth that running out to Target to buy the same thing everyone else has misses. Putting plants in pots and watering them & checking them takes times. I make bread by hand or some cookies. So many of the things I do to keep me busy take time and oddly make life simpler. I think the slowness allows to an appreciation of things that's overlooked in the frantic busyness of my past.
ReplyDeleteLove it! You are 100% correct - it doesn't mean not busy, just a different kind of busy. Not a frantic, hectic rat race busy!
DeleteI love homemade items and even 2nd hand finds - they just mean more than the new stuff absolutely everyone else can buy! Plants and gardening are so soothing. Cooking from home - for me it is a way of life and it sure tastes better than the stuff you get out. Cheaper too.
I think the last sentence says it all!
I love every single thing you said!! Simply slowing down and living in the moment can make a huge change to your life. I love the meme also. Spot on.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It seems like as we get a little older, we start to GET IT! At least that is how it is for me. No need to be a hurry, life has a way of doing that all by itself.
DeleteI don't know if things are simple here or not... I feel so busy! Part is that I'm still working - and people tell me at my age I should quit, but I like my little part time gig, like being downtown (small town) with younger people, being able to contribute something to the larger world, something a business finds worth paying for.
ReplyDeleteI also love being home, and messing around with my little garden, watering, weeding, potting things up, growing things. I've found that being old is a joy and a delight, a great gift. Such a different point of view! Maybe it is "mindfulness" - instead of being scattered and trying to multi-task all day long coordinating 4 different schedules. Raising a family was a lot of work!
MaryB
If you like your job - stay! You are serving a purpose to others and you are enjoying yourself - that is life in a nutshell!
DeleteYes indeed, getting older is a joy and a gift not given to all. I think we learn to appreciate the smaller things and yes, to be more mindful.
You do what makes you happy and just keep on enjoying life.
You are so right. It has been so good for me to just sit outside and really take in nature first thing in the morning. Every day that I have my family and my health is a GOOD day!
ReplyDeleteYes mam. Enjoying nature, family and health - the important things in life are just wonderful.
DeleteWhat a clever idea. Don't think I will achieve that for a while. But it is a very nice thought. I get my calm from reading about yours. You are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet. Life is just what we make it. We each make the decisions that make our days go by. Right now you are busy with work - that is perfect for you. You have great family and a great home. You are well on the way to simplifying and peace.
DeleteSuch a wise, wonderful post. We older people get it; I hope some younger ones read it. They've never needed it more. Colette in New Brunswick, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI hope some young folks get it too. It sure would make life a lot more enjoyable for them. Simplifying makes such a difference and being very content with what you have. Thank you!
DeleteExcellent post! We needn't aspire to impress people or live the way someone else does. They aren't paying my bills so they have no say in how I live. Folks chase after what they think will make them happy. Contentment is golden in my book.
ReplyDeleteYes, contentment is golden. What you have or don't have, doesn't impress me at all. I choose to obtain the life I want, which isn't ostentatious at all. Never has been, never will be. It is getting simpler by the day. That is happiness to me.
DeleteOne thing I have begun to realize as I try to move to a simpler life is that I am more at peace. The more I manage to rid myself of things that really no longer matter or just take up space the lighter I feel. One thing I can honestly say is we have never tried to keep up with the "Jones".
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
When I worked as a journalist for many years, I had deadlines all the time. Now I refuse to have deadlines unless it really is a deadline.
ReplyDeleteAs for finding joy in every day life, in 2017 I spent so much time feeling anger and stress and it took away from what turned out to be the last year of my mom’s life. I said I won’t let that happen again even though I’m not happy with many things happening in the country. Easy for me to say since I don’t have children or grandchildren.