If you are here, reading about living simply, you have a reason. It may not be the same reason as me and it won’t be the same reason as your best friend. But I think we all have our reasons for wanting life to be easier.
We want to save money, or have less stuff to pick up or less stuff to move around when we clean, or want to have more time as a family.
I was so happy to visit my mom yesterday and I saw the top of her whole piano cleared off of photos and stuff. I said “What happened to your piano?” and she said “I’m making things easier around here.” Oh, how I love that. Less to clean, less to maintain, more space to breath, more room to play.
Simple living is something my family stumbled upon. We didn’t mean it or seek it out but we found it and it was so beautiful the moment I saw it – like the first time I sat at the beach at 4 a.m. for a sunrise- I was in awe of what was right there every single day that I never chose to see. But once I saw it, there was no going back.
I wanted to have less stuff to worry about. I wanted to spend more time with my family and less time accumulating and cleaning up after stuff. I wanted to have more time, more space, to soak up the moments that seem to fly by way too fast.
Suddenly I realized what we were doing was simplifying. My husband made less money but had more time. We spent less money but had more time doing things that matter. We spent less money and had less stuff and more space to live in and enjoy. It all started to make sense.
Whatever it is that makes you want to live simpler, once you know your reasons, it is so easy. Have your priorities in order and it’s easy. Whatever matters most to you – time, space, dollars – will make it easier to fulfill the simpler living you are seeking.
You want to have more time – stop trading it for dollars. You want to have more space – stop trading it for clutter. You want to have more dollars – stop trading it for things that don’t matter.
Living simply is easy when you know your reasons.
What makes you want to simplify your life?
Visit the other 31 Days Series:
Chatting at the Sky, Nesting Place, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, My First Kitchen, Life With My 3 Boybarians, Reluctant Entertainer, The Inspired Room
Wise wise words…thank you for sharing those thoughts with us today! I am going to take you up on this…I have been working at simplifying for the last 6 months and have made terrific headway too! It feels good… although it does take a little getting used to!
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[...] {31 Days of Living Simply} ~ Know your reasons at Remodeling This Life [...]
“You want to have more time – stop trading it for dollars. You want to have more space – stop trading it for clutter. You want to have more dollars – stop trading it for things that don’t matter.”
Wow. Simple {no pun intended} but powerful words. <3
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What makes you want to simplify your life?
MOVING! We were so overwhelmed with our last relocation, I knew we had to do something or our senses of humor wouldn’t survive another one. We’re very fortunate (thank you, God) that my husband’s work life is full of opportunity, and it’s likely we’ll be heading up and moving out at least a couple more times in the next five years. I want to be able to say “YES!, let’s go!” instead of “OMG, who’s going to pack all this?”.
It’s become a matter of being prepared to be grateful – doesn’t that seem like a silly (generous description) thing, to let stuff stand in the way of onward and upward?
One normal moving truck load – that’s all we’re taking. Period.
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Just have to say I love your blog it’s so calming and peaceful. It reminds me of how much I have to be grateful for and how much I have to look forward to. Your writing is beautiful and so are your photos
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Baby steps for me but I am working toward that in my life. I have started with my kitchen and working my way through the closets and house. My time is being better spent with my kids because of it. Beautiful post.
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Today’s goal: help my boys pare down. Have less clutter and more space in their rooms to love the toys that make them truly happy.
Pare down the closets and make a run to GoodWill. Why do we keep clothing we never wear?
Even the decision makes me feel better.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Darcy @ m3b, remodelingthislife, remodelingthislife, Hank, Natel Hull and others. Natel Hull said: RT @remodelthislife:: Know Your Reasons: If you are here, reading about living simply, you have a reason… http://bit.ly/aPM6Oz [...]
Never thought of it quite like that, but I DO have my reason for wanting to live simpler…. I want time to do the things I used to do when my kids were younger. I know that may sound crazy to mothers with small kids, but before I started working full time, had to deal with school schedules, activities, etc., I had time to just be a mom & wife.
I want to bake for the heck of it. Spend a day cleaning to my favorite music and not feel rushed. Write. Read. And spend a day taking photos of my kids without rushing.
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I find clutter extremely stressful. I find it hard just to sit and relax with my husband, or a good book when there are things that need to be put away. Usually, my house is in order. My dad was a pack rat who live on his own until 95. I had to get the biggest dumpster to hold all the junk (and I do mean junk)that he could never part with. I will not do that to my children. If it can’t be fixed, throw it out. If I haven’t used it in over a year, give it to charity or someone who could use it. Keep only those things you use and give you joy. And remember, people are always more important than things!
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Girlfriend, this is a good post!
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I have thoroughly enjoyed your series. Thank you!
We want to live simply because we want to be free to give.
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Great post. I’ve really been putting things into perspective lately. This has been a great series!
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Your post is inspiring to me, especially this part:
“You want to have more time – stop trading it for dollars. You want to have more space – stop trading it for clutter. You want to have more dollars – stop trading it for things that don’t matter.”
Thank you for posting!!!
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