The words of a famous writer Blaise Pascal always swim in my head as I launch another thought….
I am reflecting on why I started this blog. I have learned so much from our salesmen (for lullaby Embroidery) over the years (mostly how much I still have to learn). One of the things that stand out is the power of ‘soft sales’. This is what I want to do with my blog. My goal is ‘soft sell’ a simpler lifestyle. To get us all to think about what we can each do to make our lives more sustainable. Not just how to ‘save the world’, but how to save our lives. Wow, that is dramatic. Ok, maybe not LIVES, but how to be happier.
How I can be happier, how my family can be happier. THAT seems a little more attainable. STUFF does not make me happy. Being free from worry about what other people think makes me happy. Not worrying about keeping up ‘materially’ with other people makes me happy.
It was not an easy journey, and I have to admit, sometimes this doubt still creeps in, especially concerning how we are raising my son. He will not have the latest in fashion, he will not have ‘the coolest room’, he will not have the latest electronic gadgets. He WILL have a happy family life, with two relaxed parents who do not discuss money concerns. He will be surrounded with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and great friends. He will enjoy simple home cooked meals, (THREE a day!) with all this company. He will have more of my attention as I will be working less (Yay!) and we will spend more time outdoors. He will play more basketball with his father, as he is also working a lot less. Life is not perfect, but so much better than in years past. It will be a struggle, but as with everything from riding bicycles, to learning Chinese (yeah, I think I am going to try it) to whatever else there is worthwhile to do, we will get better at it with time.
So as for the soft sell here, I hope that you are able to find a balance in your life as well. Get rid of the unnecessary. After all, what is a G (as in Second, Third, Fourth Generation), and how many does it really take to make us happy?
To anyone who read this……
Cheers!
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8 comments:
I agree! Although, we have not downsized as much as you, we are living in less than half the space of our three former homes. (Of course, that was with our family of four children. Now it is just the two of us.) We love it! I have tried to keep things spare and clean--white walls, new white paneled doors we installed plus new white woodwork etc. I am constantly appraising our possessions, getting rid of something (or two!) when a new item comes in. Housekeeping is fast with less stuff and less space. We don't have a TV, we don't have a yard to keep up, we cook from scratch, our utilities and taxes are low, we look for free entertainment in our huge metro area etc. We are still living in the bustling city center, but life seems simple now!
I LOVE this.
Eventually down-sizing will be in our future. I am a student of yours.
Deborah I have admired your blog since the day I laid eyes on that pretty cottage of yours. I found it quite by accident, searching for a small place for a relative, ideas of how she can afford a small cottage herself, and stumbled upon a video of your home. Then onto your blog. Never would I have guessed I had found a new friend ;)
I do not consider you to be "down sizing" however I do consider it "upgrading". Anytime one increases the quality of their life and the lives of their loved ones, that's what I call living! You've got a grasp on " the real life", and are such a fine example for all who visit. Hugs, tami
I have been admiring your blog for a while. Ever since I saw the Faircompanies video. After moving back home from college I have been weeding through a bunch of stuff. I mean I still had toys from when I was 5! Getting everything back into one room has been a challenge. You inspire me to keep what you love and need because nothing else matters. Please keep posting updates!
Hi, my name is Heather! Please email me when you can, I have a question about your blog!
HeatherVonSJ[at]gmail[dot]com
My name is Missy.My family & I are working on simplifying our lives and focusing on what's most important as you & your family are doing. I first saw your video on youtube and fell in love with the cottage! Keep on seeking first the Kingdom!
Hi Missy! Thank you for writing :-) my e-mail is minkeebabygifts@gmail.com I would love to hear from you!
Wonderful post! Just what I needed to hear today. Thank-you for sharing your life with us. I've been following your blog for a while but am just now getting to read the older posts.
Paige
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