Have you ever lived a simple life? The benefits are huge. Our featured post today points out quite a few. But until you try it, you will never know how great it is.
We Needed a Home to House Our Stuff
Once we found ourselves in a housing predicament. We needed a short-term place to live. We had three small children, a dog, and way too much stuff.
My husband and I searched high and low for a place that could house us for a month with a dog. Finding a home was no easy task. We finally settled on a three-bedroom rental with a tiny family room.
Of course, we underestimated how much stuff we had accumulated. Upon arriving, we packed the garage and third bedroom, from floor to ceiling with boxes and furniture and shut the doors.
Since we planned for one month in this rental, we decided to keep it simple. We packed everything away and only kept out the bare necessities. Our belongings consisted of five plates, five glasses, one container of toys, one television, and limited clothes.
Please do not judge! But I am going to admit it – I was stressed and didn’t know how to do “Simple”.
As we went about our lives, the strangest things started happening. The frustration and stress I was feeling began to lessen. Of course, one month turned into four months, birthdays came and went, holidays passed, and we all survived with limited fanfare and no holiday decorations.
We experienced life in a way we never knew possible nor would have ever tried. WE LIVED SIMPLE! Share on XUnexpected Peace and Time
At the time, I was working as a Certified Public Accountant, and it was the middle of tax season. This time of year was known to bring added pressure, limited time, and a whole lot of STRESS. However, I found myself with an unexpected peace and time on my hands!
Our spare time consisted of walks, playing games, and spending time together. Bedtime rituals were a pure joy as we tucked all three giggling little ones into one room at night. Two even shared a bed.
When the time arrived for us to move into our new beautiful home, our children were not happy. They loved our little rental house where life was uncomplicated.
Confusion set in, why didn’t our children yearn for their own rooms, a big backyard, and all of their toys which were packed deep in the garage? The answer was easy; they had become accustomed to living in a simple way, and they loved it.
When we choose simple we are rarely disappointed. Embrace Simple Today! Share on X
Simple Living Helps in the Unexpected
Since this time many years ago life has thrown me some unexpected circumstances. I am sure you can relate too.
Being able to revert to a simple way of life has been essential in getting through these difficult situations. Because of practice and knowing the benefits, I can do simple and not fall apart. Sometimes it includes blocking out the world and living moment to moment.
I would love to tell you I have “simple living” mastered; however, if you read my post from last week, “When You Fail at Self-Care” you would know this is far from the truth. Obviously, the simple life had been snuffed out by an overwhelmed schedule. I will always be a work in progress, but even simplifying in a few areas of life can make a difference.
Have you found benefits in living a simple life?
Crystal Twaddell said it well,
“When the benefits of a simple life outweigh the life we find ourselves living, it’s time for a change.” Crystal Twaddell
So when I read Crystal Twaddell’s post last week, it reminded me of the many benefits which can come from a simple life. It is so easy to get caught up in a complicated over-scheduled agenda. Then we add lots of stuff to the mix, and we miss out on what is best.
Now for Our Featured Post
“7 Stress-Free Benefits of a Simple Life”
By Crystal Twaddell
Click here to read our featured post.
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So much practical wisdom to mull over here – thanks for the “food for thought.” Perhaps “simple” looks different to each of us but I know I want to go against the current that tells me “more is better…bigger is better…and more stuff equals success.” Thanks for sharing your story for encouragement.
Jennifer – I am right there with you. Yes, I do believe “simple” looks different to each of us. Maree
Love this and loved Crystal’s challenge. laurensparks.net
Thank you!!
I would love to simplify our home. Unfortunately my Husband is not on board with that. So I’m trying to find balance.
Oh, yes it hard when you both are not on the same page. We have different ideas too. Maree
I remember listening to Focus on the Family years ago and James Dobson told the story of building a swingset in the backyard for his children. What was a nice thing for his children ended up being a source of upkeep and work. The moral of his story is that the more we have, the more we can become in bondage to it.
Thanks for sharing about the benefits of a simple life.
Karen, We sometimes don’t look ahead to what our stuff is going to take to maintain. Thank you for sharing. Maree
It was great to read about your experiences Maree 😀
I learnt the simple is such a blessing & a lot more fun!…
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thank you for sharing. I am going to work towards simple in my everyday life. You have encouraged me. Maree
I tend to gravitate toward simple so it feels more like home to me. (Granted, I do still like my books and my laptop, which contain an overload of stuff!) Thanks for reminding us of the benefits of a simple life.
Lisa, How wonderful to gravitate towards simple. If you live that way you don’t always have to go back and get rid of things. I too love books and find them hard to part with. Maree
Oh, I would love to live more simply. Our house is filled with stuff we don’t use or need. Accumulated from over 20 years, lots of people, boxes of stuff from my mom’s – we have a lot to go through, but I know it will be so much easier when we finally get it done. Blessings to you!
I am in the same boat. We have an attic full of my children’s artwork from pre-school up. It is out of sight, so I pretend it is not there. I guess getting started one box at a time is the way to go. Maree
It took me a long time to realize I had too much “stuff”. Now, as hubby and I are getting ready to downsize, I wish I would have paid closer attention and accumulated less stuff over the years. It really is not important!
Laurie,
You are so right our stuff is not that important. But I still find it hard to get rid of things. However, it helps me if I visualize someone else enjoying my stuff. Good luck with downsizing.
I can relate to your chaos! Made me giggle. It took almost a decade before I finally unpacked all the boxes we threw in our basement after living in our house. lol Great reminders today friend!
Nicki, You might be ahead of me. I am pretty sure one box remains from a move which took place about 20 years ago. Maree
It does always amaze me how little we need to survive short term. I will go on trips for 2-3 weeks with only a carry-on and do just fine.
Wow, Theresa, I am impressed with your packing. I can’t go anywhere with just a carry-on. Do you wash out your clothes? Maree
I’ve written about this, myself. Clutter can foster depression – even clutter in the mind. Such an important reminder, sister! Thank you!
Susan – Yes, clutter in the mind can wreak havoc. I am slowly trying to declutter a bit. It is hard. Maree
I am easily overwhelmed by “stuff,” so I identify with your story. And I’m wondering if you still work as a CPA, and if you do you must also be super busy right now. Thanks for persevering here through all the comings and goings of life. I appreciate your ministry.
Michele, No, my husband and I sold our business a few years back. I keep my license just in case I ever need to go back. Now, I get to ski during tax season, and I love it. Thank you for your sweet comment. I appreciate you too. Maree
One thought that comes to my mind on this topic is that simplifying might look differently to different people. To some it means less “stuff,” to others, lessening obligations and activities, to others, fewer things to think about. To some, all of the above. 🙂 I love to simplify processes and methods down to their simplest form without cluttering everything up with extra unnecessary steps. Our circumstances (moving, new church, caregiving) have greatly reduced our obligations in the last few years, and I’m enjoying the peace of not running around trying to get a million things done all the time. I still need to work on the “stuff” part: I’m continually cleaning out clutter and have earned to keep back less of it than I used to. I think it will always be a work in progress. Thanks for stimulating these thoughts for me this morning.
Barbara,
I love your thought. You are so right; it is not always about stuff. For me, it is more about obligations and busyness. However, I will admit having less to care for does help.
As I am rereading your comment, it is as if a light bulb turned on. At one point I had to quit everything to care for a loved one. At first, it was hard for me, but then I learned to live simple. As time has gone on and less care is needed, I have added way too much to my plate.
Thank you for taking the time to comment you have helped me tremendously.
Maree