Monday, July 11, 2016
let's let go of simple living ideals
Oh goodness, please don't think for a second that I find it easy!
I may practise simplicity but in no way have I mastered it. I suppose it's a little bit like practising yoga; somedays it all just flows and at other times everything is clunky and disjointed. And when you're attempting to live simply and raise children and work freelance and keep a home ticking along, the clunk is far more pronounced than the flow.
If you came to my house you may frown upon the decidedly un-minimalist bookshelves or the laundry basket that is never not overflowing. You may wonder where the abundant vegie patch is (I've got grand plans for spring seedling but for now they're planted firmly in my head) or question the takeaway coffee cups that are most definitely not reusable. Sometimes the produce at the bottom of my fridge is beyond saving in any soup or broth so it goes in the bin because we don't have chooks or a compost. I'm proud to say that I use disposable nappies because the thought of more unnecessary washing is beyond ridiculous and scraping poo from cotton cloth may just send me batty. And the wardrobes that I decluttered in a moment of clarity have once again become higgledy-piggledy thanks to a house move and turning a blind eye.
That's the thing about simplifying; it's ongoing and always evolving and while it may serve you well for a while, your priorities can easily shift. But what is wonderful about living with such mindfulness is that one little change inevitably inspires the next. Sure, it's often a case of two steps forward, one step back and sometimes it all falls in a heap, but it's a productive heap all the same.
For me, the biggest leaps have been creating good intentions and subsequently changing habits. And knowing that when I lose a grip on a new-found habit, the world will keep on spinning regardless.
So many of my simple living goals are inspired by environmental awareness and adhering to a budget but they often require more time and effort than I have in the tank. And it's in those weary moments that I come to see simple living as letting go of ideals and being in the now, takeaway coffee cup in hand.
We're all doing our best.
16 COMMENTS
Love this honesty Jodi. Thanks for making me smile (and also breathing a sigh of relief). We are all human after all :) Much love xx
ReplyDeleteHow is it so easy to forget that we are human? It says a lot about this day and age of striving to achieve so much, I think x
DeleteI think you nailed it when you said,
ReplyDelete"That's the thing about simplifying; it's ongoing and always evolving and while it may serve you well for a while, your priorities can easily shift. But what is wonderful about living with such mindfulness is that one little change inevitably inspires the next. Sure, it's often a case of two steps forward, one step back and sometimes it all falls in a heap, but it's a productive heap all the same."
I like that there's an element of compassion within that - and an awareness of holding these things lightly. I found this post reaffirming. Oh, and I adore that image - stunning. <3
Thanks, as always, for your lovely comments x
Deletethank you for posting this! i think i realized i had a bad idea of your life when you kept talking about running errands and i thought, "i cannot imagine her driving a car."
ReplyDeleteit's funny, we ALL know that the snippets of blog posts and instagram pictures do not portray the whole (even of our own life!) but we still choose to cling to other people's ideal and judge ourselves against it.
thanks again for a great post!
www.thekriegers.org
Ha, I'm so normal - with faults and a temper and unrealistic expectations. No pedestal here! x
Deletethank you for your honesty and this bunch of flowers is to DIE FOR!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, aren't they?! x
DeleteIts the interesting conundrum of the public life of a personal blogger and real life! On one hand people love your beautiful photos and wonderful tips but on the other, because a blog and instagram are curated (and we like recording the pretty parts of our lives) it seems like a far leap and completely unattainable for the person reading in their chaotic living space :) You do make it look simple but given what I know of my life with 1 - I can only imagine life with 3 and all that entails! Thanks for your honesty as always.
ReplyDeleteAnd just to add to the clutter of aiming for easy perfect simple living - I am wondering if that is a current bunch of flowers in your home - and if you knew that those peonies have been flown around the globe and grown in climate controlled conditions. Local Seasonal Flowers are my thing - it's the next step on from local seasonal food :) More food for thought. Peace. xsx
As I recently said on instagram, these realistic conversation need to happen so we don't go a little mad from our idealistic expectations (of ourselves and others!). And yes, the peonies were a gift, so difficult to decline! But I think a post on local, seasonal flowers may be coming ;) x
DeleteOh well I would never look a gifted peony in the mouth thats for sure! :) Well my little local flower farm business is here www.littletriffids.com.au and there are more and more of us springing up around Australia :)
DeleteGood intentions go a looooong way!
ReplyDeleteSeems like you're talking about sustainable living rather than simple living. How can living simply be hard? Sounds like a paradox!
ReplyDeleteThat is a stunning photo x
ReplyDeleteThis. Mmmm. Exactly what I have been needing to hear. I start to lose sight of the sustainability of everything I wish to do when I get swept up in the lifestyle of simple living. Instead of focusing on the actions I take to keep my life simple and let that add up to the final portrait of my life... It cannot be done in reverse. Thank you for your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteSo inspiring. <3
ReplyDelete