Remember my post on The Simple Life?
The things I listed there were things I have to do on a regular basis to keep my life simplified. However, I often wonder if those of us seeking after simpler lives are truly serious about simplifying things?
Living simply isn’t some easy thing you just wake up one day and do. It is a culmination of many, many choices made each and every day. Most of those choices are anything but easy.
Sure we feel serious. We stomp our feet, raise our fist to the wind, and vow to change everything by Friday.
How about #8 on my list of How To Simplify…
Now, let’s think hard for a second. Are we really willing to get rid of things in our home that distracts us? Or do we kind of like the distraction they create? Is there any distraction we *think* we have a handle on, but we know in the back of our minds we really don’t? Are we hanging on to something that is crowding for our attention because we’re not sure we can (or want to) do without it?
So, let me ask you this…
I believe it does. The simple life is the self controlled life.
While simple living is not a God-mandated thing, self control is. I do not believe you can have a simplified life that is not characterized by self-control. Excesses are reined in, distractions are held back, and the important things in life are clear and in focus.
So, take a moment to ask yourself if you really do want a simpler life. Are you willing to sacrifice and practice self-control the over the things that are hindering you from that simple life?
It’s not easy and it’s not something that happens over night. It’s baby steps toward the things that matter and away from the things that don’t.
Here’s what I’m doing this week to lead a simpler life…
and
Changing my computer habits.
What are you doing to simplify?
I am blessed! says
Better Off by Eric Brende is an excellent book about living a simple life. He and his wife join an Amish community for 18 months (as part of his MIT thesis on the detriments of technology). At the end of the 18 months they move back to “civilization” slowly adding back the technology that they feel adds to their quality of life and doesn’t distract, as you said, from it. I can’t say I changed much, but it’s definitely food for thought. I unplugged my answering machine and I still don’t have a cell phone. I guess that’s something.
Kristy says
I long for a simpler life. With 3 kids, and going to college, keeping up my house, hosting a weekly bible study in my home, and caring for my husband and kids, I can’t seem to pare it down anymore than I have. I believe God has called me to go to school, to be a nurse, and so that my husband can retire after 20 yrs in the military, so I have to trust Him to lead me through this “busy” season in my life. I do long for the simpler time right now, but I had that for 17 yrs. of marriage, now is just a different season for me.
Angie @ Many Little Blessings says
Really excellent points! Every time I think of how I want to live an extremely simple life, I realize that while I want to live more simply, I’m not really willing to go as far as I think I am. 😉
GapGirl says
Hmm, great post. Really made me think. So true too…. My friend once said its the conveniences and modern technology that we love that brings us the most stress. I have been contemplating that ever since.
XoxoGapGirl.
I look forward to reading more….
Heart2Heart says
Amy,
I too am learning to spend more valuable and quality time with my family. When they are home, all other distractions are done. I am just with them.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Fruitful Harvest says
Amy~
As always well done~
Your are so right about living simply….its a daily choice.
Well I’m off to play with Olivia(2)
She is standing at my side with a puzzle in hand saying “Play Time”!
Blessings,
Georgiann
PS Amy I still have not had time to do my home work yet for the writing course~ Did you get my second email the other day?
Verna says
We recently downsized our household and moved into a much smaller apartment.
I am finding that I love it more and more. Small and more simple.
Nothing fancy, but home.
It has also allowed us to spend more quality time together as husband and wife since we are not always cleaning, etc.
Stop and smell the roses, was a quote my mother used to use. Now I understand what she meant by it.
Slow down and enjoy the simple things around us.
Love your post, keeps reminding me to slow down and enjoy life at its fullest.
mommy4life says
You wouldn’t think that simple living would be so complicated, would you? But you are right. It is a matter of setting priorities and managing activities and schedules as well as being good stewards of our time, our stuff, and our distractions. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement!
Reggie says
If I had a dollar for every time someone came into our home and said, “Wow, you live so simply.” I’ll be honest, I was growing rather perplexed by this constant observation. What in the blazes do they mean? Finally it was uttered by a dear family member and I finally dared to ask what she meant by that. “You just aren’t bogged down with stuff! I’m single and I have more stuff than your whole family.” Oh…huh. Well, I came by my minimalist ways naturally through my mother, long before it had a label. And in regards to ‘distractions’, it really does boil down to making a consistent choice not to be. Some weeks it’s easy, other times I look around and wonder where my simple life went while I was otherwise engaged.