What is simple living?

There seems to be a "simple living" revolution going on. People all over the world are simplifying their lives, or, they want to. But what is it? How do we know when we have reached the simple life?

Some people think the simple life is getting back to nature, living exclusively off the land and using electricity they make themselves. Others see it as not buying the latest fashion or must have gadget. Others see it as being minimalists and to do without things. Others fall somewhere between everything.

All of the above are definitions of the simple life. The simple life is what you make of it and what you see for yourself. I am still working on my definition. I am sure my definition will change as my life does. Right now I cannot do all the things that I want to as part of what I think the simple life is. My reality is three children six years of age and under. My schedule is governed by theirs. I can only get done what I can. Right now, making everything from scratch might not be feasible, but I can make what I can. We are living on one income and land around here is rather expensive, living on acreage is not possible, so having hens or a huge garden isn't in the cards, but I can have a small one. This year my garden was one tomato plant in a pot. (The idea of getting my garden going while I had a three month old did not seem all that great to me this year.)

I think that is the great thing about the simple life. You can mould it to fit your situation. It is an organic thing, not a rigid box you are trying to fit into. It is not an all or nothing obligation. It is about finding out what is important to you and then doing it.

So far my definition includes making what food I can from scratch, cutting down on garbage by recycling and composting, buying quality items, and getting out of the crazed consumer mindset. It also means keeping only the things that are useful and I super duper love and getting rid of the rest. It is hard to live any kind of life when you feel over burdened by what I call "the junk".

I know my current definition doesn't sound too hard. After all, I am not ploughing fields using horses or baking using a wood stove. But, it is tricky at times.

Making cleaners, making my own granola bars, sorting refuse, de-cluttering, thinking of menus and having energy to look after and nurture children all takes time. If we can hold onto our ideal and work towards that, we are a success.

I started the simple life by making my own cleaners. Vinegar is the greatest thing ever, who knew right. It was a small change but if you try too much too fast, you will quit. A drastic change, even when it is for the better, is hard on the system. Slow and steady is a great way to make a change. Once you have one thing down on your list, you can move onto the next.

One thing that I have found hard is to get out of the consumer mindset. My generation has been conditioned to thinking if you need something you go out and buy it, and our definition between an actual need and a want is somewhat skewed. All around us are billboards, flyers, advertisements, catchy jingles, the promises of happiness and the kids (and lets face it, us too) comparing their things with others. It is hard to see something that looks really awesome and not buy it. But it usually ends up as clutter or not being what we thought it was. What a waste, not only of money, but of space and energy.

So welcome to the simple life. The definition of the simple life is up to you. Never feel like a failure if you are not eating your own eggs or not making your own bread. Be happy with what you are able to do now. It is much nicer to be positive about our life and where we are heading. And that's the key we are heading somewhere. We are not stagnant. We are always heading to a place where we can truly become our best selves.

The Awesomeness of the Library

I love to read! The house could be falling down around me, but, as long as I have a good book I'm fine. I love the way a book feels in my hands, the smell they have and the satisfaction of turning the page. Books are wonderful.

When I was newly married I would run out and buy books brand new. I was impatient to read the stories and the library was not yet part of my life. Growing up in rural Ontario, the closest library was 20 minutes away, by car, and was really puny. My house basically was a library. Books lined the walls and their was actually a room that we referred to as the library. There was so much choice, I had no need for any other kind of library. So when I started living in the city I never really thought about the library, or at least not the public one, I lived in the university one for much of my undergrad.

When my husband and I got serious about budgeting I was gobsmacked to learn how much I was spending on books. Especially when I would read them once and, for the most part, never read them again. That is when I got a library card and a whole new world of FREE awesomeness opened up to me.

Libraries are no longer places to sit quietly and be shushed by a matronly librarian. They are truly a gathering place, a place of discovery and fun. Through the library you can download free ebooks and audiobooks. You can learn how to use various technologies in workshops. There are children's programs that are fantastic and all FREE! You can get movies, c.d.s, magazines as well as books. I discovered lots of books with great ideas I could incorporate into my so called simple life. You get to meet people of similar mindset at the library book clubs (where I met 3 of my best friends), children's concerts and more.

It used to be just me and the kids that would traipse into the library every week. Now my husband joins us, usually checking out what action flick is available. It is nice to go as a whole family, to share in the joy and excitement of the library. It sure beats buying our own books and movies and adding them to our already overburdened shelves. There are some books that I have bought after I got them from the library. That's o.k.. I'm not saying you have to go on a book buying hiatus, but, there are some books we don't need everyday and those are the books we can get from the library. As well, it always nice to peruse something before buying.

I do like a look of books on a shelf and I do have an attachment to the written word, but I bit the bullet and got rid of books I absolutely didn't love or books I could easily get at the library. Less stuff to worry about.

So if you haven't been into your library recently, GO! If your library isn't meeting your current needs, get involved, make suggestions. The library is there to serve you and they have the resources and ability to run the workshops you need and get the books you want.

The new library is truly for everyone.

Welcome

Welcome to the world of me.

I am a stay at home mother of three young kiddies. Most days I love it. Other days I phone my husband at work and give him my two weeks notice!

Lately I have wanted to feel more contented in my role as a home maker and feel the empowerment that staying at home and working in the home can give. I get excited when my kids and I work on a project together, or I make homemade jam and the kids prefer it to store bought jam. I want to share that excitement with others and hope to motivate others to break from the mould and grind of our society and slow down, find joy in simple things.

My intention is not to be preachy, make you feel guilty or be a look at me in my domestic goddess perfection. Instead I want to give a new perspective on home making in the present, ideas on how you can do little things to have the simple life you want (even when needing to work 9-5), and to see that perfection is something that happens the minority of the time.

So take this journey with me. After all we're all in this together!