Podcast Episode: What Does Simple Living Look Like?

This week’s episode is sponsored by GreenUp Box. They promote #greenliving and make it easier for you to say goodbye to plastic waste and hello to more sustainable products.

In today’s episode I wanted to talk about what simple living actually looks like- I give tips and tricks on how to simplify life and possessions but haven’t really spoken about what Simple living looks like as a whole- or for a family. We are a family of 5 people so I hope to give you some ideas of how we attain simple living habits in our home and lifestyle.

Simple living is not a strict lifestyle that everyone follows the same way. Some people may move off the grid to seek simple, while others may seek it out by decluttering their garage. 

The main definition of simple for me is to find the beauty and value in less consuming and putting an emphasis on quality over quantity whether that be with possessions, schedules, or relationships. 

WHAT DID SEEKING OUT SIMPLE LOOK LIKE FOR ME AT FIRST?

It started with decluttering for me. When we decluttered our home and thought a little harder about our consuming habits it opened up an entire world for me. 

3 Things Decluttering Did For Me:

1. It reduced my stress- less stuff to take care of, less to clean up, less to maintain, more money in our bank account. 
2. It opened my eyes to see another life we could live- and we started pursing it. 
3. It has helped me to be a better mother, wife, and friend. 

Simple living for me started with a more simple home filled with less clutter. Less to clean, less to maintain, less to organize. It has reshaped how I look at consuming.

Simplifying our schedule

Instead of letting my calendar tell me where I need to be and when I reversed the roles. Sure there are inevitable things that we need to go to such as dentist + doctor appointments, car maintenance appointments, and work obligations if you work….

But its the little things that add up. A few obligations that can fill a schedule:

• birthday parties
• dinners with friends
• errands
• sports and after school events: tennis, swim, soccer, baseball, golf, football, volleyball, ballet, music, choir, boy or girl scouts
• bible studies
• volunteering

None of these things are bad- but too many of them can leave you feeling drained and tired. Overwhelmed and overstretched.

Here is how to manage the Calendar like a pro and fill your schedule with the right things:

Figure out how much time you have to work with. 

This is important so that you don’t overbook yourself and stretch yourself too thin and set unrealistic expectations. It also ensures you are not running late to things and seen as disrespectful and incompentent. 

Schedule your highest priorities first and then move on down the list.

Look at your priorities like rocks. Your highest priorities are like big heavy rocks, and the lesser priorities are like pebbles that simply fill time. Put your big rocks in your schedule first and then the fillers after. If you work in the opposite way the big rocks will always get short changed. 

Less multi tasking and more time blocks.

 If I am preparing for this podcast I am going to focus on preparing for the podcast. I am not going to get derailed by 10 things I need to do. If you focus on blocking your time you will be more efficient and get more quality work done in a shorter amount of time. 

Know When Crisis Strikes.

Crisis happens to us all- it is anything that takes immediate attention over everything else going on. Make sure those crisis situations are truly crisis. Know the meaning of your crisis – have to stop everything I am doing right now situation- death, injury, accident etc. Evalute the situation and take a deep breath- think about what makes a crisis a crisis for you.

Know Your Limit.

When trying to simplify your schedule know what your reasonable expectations are for when enough is enough. Ask yourself if you are trying to cram too many things in. 

Lastly Simple Living for me has meant to enjoy the little things and practice gratitude

This is my favorite part of living more simply. Seeing my my cut flower garden start to poke our from the dirt, my first asparagus spear make its way into the world, and hearing the belly laughs from my kids are some of life’s best and most SIMPLE moments. Allow yourself the time and mental space to truly enjoy those things and soak them all up. It doesn’t cost anything and it does a lot for your soul.

Being grateful for the moments is another way to seek a simple life. In doing those little action you are seeking simplicity. Remember that everyone’s journey may look different from one another. It is not one size fits all.

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Have Any questions? 

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Thanks For Listening!