The phrase that I used to title this post has been running through my mind lately. Perhaps more today than other days, but it has been lurking around for a very long time and pops out every so often to take front and center stage.
Today it seems to want to stay and percolate around my brain and cause me to think a bit more deeply on what simple living really is and what I was living before.
According to Wiki the definition is
Simple living refers to practices that promote simplicity in one's lifestyle. Common practices of simple living include reducing the number of possessions one owns, depending less on technology and services, and spending less money.[1][2] In addition to such external changes, simple living also reflects a person's mindset and values.[3]
Now I have never been one to try and keep up to others in having the best of everything, or trying to outdo my neighbours, but I do like appliances that make my life simpler and easier. I do not want to go back to cooking over a fireplace (well perhaps if the power goes out, but I do have a BBQ, and a camp stove), or beating our clothes on rocks to get them clean (thank heavens for washers and driers when the weather is bad), I also thank heavens for our medical advances and the fact that by living in our own home we can plant fruit trees, and a garden.
My meals are far from fancy, most of my readers are probably much better cooks than I am. We prefer simple meals well spiced and flavourful. So many favourites that at times I really wonder if I will ever find time to try some new recipes (though I do get a few in every month or so).
We do and always have done what we could on our own, though with advancing age things are going to have to change in that regard. Especially home maintenance at almost 70 and 75 climbing onto the roof or trimming trees is pretty much beyond us now. Thank heavens Kurt and Kris help out whenever they can. But both have their own homes that need work as well.
Simplicity in living fits well with being frugal and using all that is given to us. By using less and growing more we are able to prosper in ways that others might not. I know by buying what is on sale and staying away from prepackaged foods I am now saving a great deal. My friend spends on packaged foods or eating out and then wonders where all their money goes. They also need to purchase things to one up friends and family as well.
Did I always live this way? I would like to think so, but growing up we pretty much got everything we wanted as children. When my parents were alive we were still spoiled even when first married. Harvey's parents were not so openhanded, but they did give us meat, veggies, and lots of free meals when we lived two houses down from them. I believe that for a time I was simply living to accumulate little things, not even big things that would help out much with day to day living.
I think it took Harvey being out of work for a very long time for me to decide living simply was the way to go. I started to learn how to can, freeze and later dehydrate. We grew a small garden and produce was always used to make our meals a bit more interesting and healthy. I actually started sewing clothing again at this point, and probably saved quite a bit sewing for Kurt and Krista. I also never turned down used clothing for the children. Pennies were saved in a large container as was any other change. That was used to purchase Christmas and birthday gifts.
Now living within our means, making do, using up, recycling, and downsizing have become second nature. Taking the time to question and research purchases, planting, harvesting, basic cooking and baking, enjoying the outdoors and learning new skills like weaving (next will be trying to learn how to use the sock loom) are slowing me down and I am finally realizing what living simply means.
I do hope this has made sense as my mind is twisting and turning trying to figure things out.
Everybody have a wonderful evening.
God bless.
