True Simple Living is More Than a Trend
Simple living has to be a lifestyle choice if you want it to stick–not just a trend! Here are 3 truths everyone should know about simple living…before you dive in headfirst!
I didn’t go “all in” with simple living. Not at first. First I dabbled with it…played with the idea…got rid of a measly few boxes. Eventually, though, I jumped in with both feet and got serious about simplifying my home. If you’re ready to take the plunge, take this post by Amanda to heart! Today she’s sharing three things you’ve got to know about simple living before you begin (and I agree with all her points)! – Elsie
Guest post by Amanda of The Homemaker’s Cottage
Simple living is one of the top trends you’ll see on Pinterest or any number of blogs. People just love simple living!
The problem with simple living today is that it is just that…a trend. It starts with the pinning, the weariness from always having something to clean, to pick up, to do and it leads to the thought “Aha! Simple living is the key to my problems!”
It is fun and exciting to get rid of old stuff like your husband’s high school rock band shirts, or the college football shirts but then it comes to getting rid of your stuff and your kids’ stuff. It takes a lot of effort and in the end, you end up buying more stuff anyways!
So is all of that work really worth it?
The short answer is no. But if you’re in for the long run then yes it is. I’ll tell you a secret: Simple living is not a trend, it is a full-on lifestyle, and guess what. It’s not for me. (At least, not yet anyway.) But, for those of you who are looking seriously into simple living then here’s what you need to know.
3 Things You Should Know About Simple Living
1. Simple living takes time
You cannot just say “Okay, let’s start simple living!” and wake up in the morning hoping all your unwanted stuff will just disappear. *POOF*
It will take a long time first off convincing your family that simple living is a good thing (my fatal flaw of my simple living plan). Then getting rid of stuff–depending on how much you have–will also take a very long time. You have to go through each room, each drawer, each nook and cranny where your child (or your husband) has hidden stuff from you.
2. Simple living takes effort
As I mentioned before, you have to clean out every room in your house in order to really know what’s junk and what’s not. Now if you’re like me, you will have to do this all yourself. Then, once you’re done cleaning out your house you get to lug all of this stuff you “found” to your car and then off to the donation center.
3. Simple living takes discipline
Once you’ve gotten all of that out of your house, you take that first deep breath. *sigh* The house is clean. The kids’ rooms are clean. Even the kitchen is clean. You can see counter tops, shelves and other nooks and crannies that you were never able to see before. It is gorgeous…at least in those first couple of weeks.
After a while the house kind of starts to seem empty, you start thinking to yourself how nice it is to have some room but maybe you should just go out and get a few things to go on that shelf, or fill that wall a little more. And a little more…and just a wee bit more.
So goes the story.
Next thing you know you’re back to square one and you have to empty everything out….again. Here’s where it takes discipline. Do not buy that thing to fill that space, do not let your husband, kids, neighbor, girl friend or mother-in-law convince you that you need more stuff. It’s not worth it. It’s a waste of money, space and time.
Turns out simple living doesn’t always seem simple, does it? If you’re really ready for simple living then awesome for you! If not, that’s okay, too. Simple living is not for everyone. It’s a lifestyle choice. Are you ready for a more simple life?
Hi! I’m Amanda, creator and owner at The Homemaker’s Cottage. I’m 22 years old and live in Southern Vermont with my husband, Robert John and my baby bunny rabbits, Groot and Rumple. I am currently a part time nanny, part time stay at home wife and part time virtual assistant (Find my services at Log Cabin Virtual Assistance). I love to laugh, worship my Lord and Savior, make new recipes, read new books, write and spend time with my favorite people!! (That’s you!!) If you’d like to know more about me you can visit me on my blog or on my Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Can’t wait to see you there!
I couldn’t agree more Amanda. Simple Living is the topic over on my blog, but as you wrote- it takes work and it’s not simple. Actually, it can be the complete opposite. If simplifying life was simple, than everyone would have done it by now. But I think your right in that it has to conscious choice to live with less, a lifestyle that you adopt because it’s what you feel works best for you and your family. Loved reading your thoughts here ~ Victoria