Simple Living Manifesto

 

Ok, today was not about simplifying my life!!  I had to deal with or I am still dealing with getting our rental back in order after a fire in the basement in September.  The company who shall remain nameless that the insurance company hired to restore our house are doing a less then satisfactory job.  I will just be so glad when they get the job done so I don't have to deal with them any more.  

Today was a good example as to why we need to down size and not have so many irons in the fire. 

On the bright side of things, I want through one of my book cases and sorted through my books and only kept the very best.  That was hard, books are my friends and I love each and everyone of them and having to choose which ones to keep and which ones to give away is like choosing between your children.  Ok, maybe not quite that dramatic but close.  I haven't decided if this has made me feel less cluttered or not yet but I have cleared out almost a half of a shelf! I kept telling myself that this will be less I have to pack when we move.  

I was doing some research on ways to simplify my life because when I look at it right now as it stands I don't even know where to start. I am not good at saying no and I just keep taking on things until I am so overwhelmed that I don't even do as good of a job as I could on anything and others just don't get done and they haunt me with worry and guilt.  I came across a blogger writing on simple living, I would like to share a quote that says it all for me.


    "A simple life has a different meaning and a different value for every person. For me, it means eliminating all but the essential, eschewing chaos for peace, and spending your time doing what’s important to you.
It means getting rid of many of the things you do so you can spend time with people you love and do the things you love. It means getting rid of the clutter so you are left with only that which gives you value." Leo Babauta 
Simple Living Manifesto: 72 Ideas to Simplify Your Life

He goes on to list 72 ideas on how to reach the goal of bring simplicity to your life.  First on the list is deciding what your goals really are, what are the 5 top things that are important to you.  Wow, I thought that should be a really easy place to start... and the first three really were no brainers for me.  

1. Quality uninterrupted time with God

2. Quality time for my husband, my kids, our families.

3. Get out of debt/ learn to live with less and enjoy life more
4.
5.

I felt those were pretty solid goals and I believe attainable, number 4 and 5 how ever I just am not sure yet.

These two I want to think about, I have some ideas but not sure if they really qualify for the number 4 or 5 spot. But I believe that as I come to understand the beauty of living a simpler life my list will grow with that understanding.

I also took the time and printed out a schedule for the week hopefully this will help me stay on track and I will get more accomplished.  As much as I hate living with a schedule my dear Ukrainian student is encouraging me to try it.  He clams you get so much more done if you have a schedule.  I have to be honest here...lol I blow it the first day.  With practice maybe I will get better.

Wednesday is the start of February and my first month to live with in the new budget that Ivan has set up for me.  I am trying not to freak out... "I am kind of a compulsive buyer" (Please don't tell anyone I said that) but that is all about to change this month, so I am making a choice to look at my new budget as a challenging adventure. How to make my money stretch and last the month.  I used to have a book (this one I didn't really look upon as a friend) called the Tightwad Gazette I think I gave it away or yard sale it or something I wish I had it now.  So if you have one you would like to recycle please let me know I think I am going to need it.  HELP ME! 

I have been researching the whole extreme coupon thing and have not decided if it is the thing for me.  Very time consuming which I already don't have enough time in the day so I will have to think on that a little more.

Good night time to go to bed.  I think part of simplifying is the whole early to bed early to rise thing... that is going to take some work for a night owl like me.