I've been thinking a lot lately about the simpler things in life and living a simple life. What makes a simple life? There are a couple of YouTube channels that I enjoy (Beltaine Cottage and Joy of Things) but if you put in simple life (usually over50 goes with that in my case lol) there are a lot of channels that pop up where the people just seem too perfect and not real. I want to watch, listen to, simple life over 50 but I don't want perfect people with perfect bodies, perfect make-up and perfect houses. That doesn't scream simple to me. That would take too much work!
Is it Simple Life or Slow Living or are they the same? Sigh. Big questions lol. I'm not even sure what I'm searching for, perhaps just less of the stuff and more of the taking life as it comes. I sometimes think about moving as I'm not entirely happy living where I am now. I'd love to live somewhere with a bit more space around me, not a bigger house, but just less neighbours lol. A place where I can sit out and not hear traffic (it doesn't help that the main road adjacent to us is a lot busier now than when we moved in and people race up and down our hill to avoid it). I'm not sure it's feasible. I am really thankful that we do have our own house. I know a lot of other people aren't that fortunate. Should I instead think about how I can cultivate my space to make it closer to what I'd like?
Perhaps all these questions racing around in my head are why I can't sleep! Or perhaps I'm going through a (really late) midlife crisis lol. You have to laugh.
Things That Made Me Smile today
* Having a lovely chat with sister. It's always lovely to catch up and we always find lots to chat about
* Video chatting with Baby A. She is adorable.
* Having a walk despite the rain. I got wet, yes, but I was distracted by seeing two Great Horned owls in the trees. We're back to snow this weekend.
* Pulling out a different mug and having a nice hot cup a soup
Thanks for listening. I'm not moaning, just writing down random thoughts that have been on my mind. Let me know what your idea of simple living/slow living is. It seems to be the 'in' thing right now. Maybe I'm already doing it and not realising! I certainly don't try to keep up with the Joneses.
Love the mug! A blue bird seems so hopeful. 'Somewhere, over the 🌈 '
ReplyDeleteA wise person said that wherever you go, you take yourself with you...
I think your idea of writing down what you want, and seeing what you can do to move a step towards it wherever you are now is a good one.
What a good idea!
DeleteOur grand daughter often phones me just at bedtime, we chat so she can calm down and become smiley again, it's a pure pleasure to be there for them, even if it can only be over a video call.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely. It did cheer me up a bit.
DeleteAw, Baby A wanted to talk to Nana when she was upset! How precious is that? She knew that chatting with Nana would make everything feel better.
ReplyDeleteYou ask some good questions about simple living/slow living. I think we all have a personal definition of what that means to us. For me, simple living and slow living sort of go together and mean not having a day crammed with activities that I need to rush to get to, being able to spend the afternoon hand sewing quilt patches (I'm mending an old quilt of mine), or checking on my garden. Having a decluttered home might be part of it as that would mean fewer things to keep clean, etc. (but, I am not quite there, yet). Having routines would help, too, I think.
She is adorable. I do wish we lived a bit closer. I now know how my Mum must have felt with my children growing up so far away. I wish I could talk to her about it.
DeleteThanks for the input on slow living. I'm still struggling on how it would work for me, but hopefully it's what I'm working towards.
Simple living means different things to different people. For some, it's reducing everything to a basic level and a minimalist way of living. For others it's accepting life as it is and not seeking for more or for change. It's good to think about the 'what ifs' of life.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I think that's exactly it. I do need to just find out what that means for me.
DeleteMy grandson lives over 2 hours away - not as far as yours - but, he calls me too. "Grandma, can we talk?" I love it! He will just play with us tractors and tell me what they are doing. It feels like I'm part of his day. Simple life you say, I'm seeking it too. I think just saying no, or being o.k. with not going or doing is a big thing for me. I always have had the "fear of missing out" probably because I was last of 6 and did miss out. However, at 59, with this IBM disease - it's a lot easier to chose what I want to spend my time doing.
ReplyDeleteThat's really sweet. It is lovely when they just chat with you. It definitely makes me feel a part of her life. I hope it continues as she grows.
DeleteI need to work on the not going/not doing. I struggle with fear of missing out too. I think it is a matter of choosing what's important to you and what's not. I think that's part of what I'm struggling with.
Baby A is lucky to have you, and she sounds adorable. Thank goodness she's able to ask for comfort and knows who to turn to. She sounds such a bright spark.
ReplyDeleteI watch a lot of homesteading videos but so many seemed overpolished. It's like a lot of blogs. It's all on the surface and feels like too much sugar.
Sending hugs. Maybe keep going with the lists. I erratically do the morning journal thing where you brain dump for three pages every morning. When I've done it, it's been a real help and helped clear my mind.
And that mug is epic!
She is so adorable. Very chatty too.
DeleteThat's what I think when I watch them. It does seem overdone and not real, very polished. That's a good idea. I might have to do that. Thank you!