A simple life should never be minimized as an easy life. I personally believe our societal breakdown in grammar has reduced actual knowledge of the meaning of terms. So, a quick grammar correction of definition:
Simple - If you describe people or things as simple, you mean that they have all the basic or necessary things they require, but nothing extra.
Easy - If a job or action is easy, you can do it without difficulty or effort.
I believe we have all gotten wrapped up in consumerism, and over indulge. If you look realistically, think about the number of storage unit facilities that have popped up the last 20 years. It is mind boggling to think about.
How much do we really need? Many people work an exorbitant amount of hours each week; spending all that time away from their family, their home, and all the things they continue to purchase, and for what? When you require less stuff, you are not going to be required to work so much, and in turn...you will be able to actually enjoy what you have.
2025 is my year of returning to simple. I got wrapped up, like so many others. It didn't make me happier and realistically, it stressed me clear out. Sure there are things I would like to replace, as many of the items we have, are old and worn out. That is a natural progression. Just continuing to add to the crap we already have and don't necessarily have room for, is not in my cards. It's important to me to be an example to my own children, of a simple life. A life free of the chains of debt slavery, of too much unnecessary stuff and actually living instead of existing. My children are all young adults now, but it's important they still understand now before they get too far over their heads.
My year is returning to basics. I got lost early last year and it took me a long time to pull out of that. This year, I am cleaning out stuff! I am going through every room, the attic, every shed, pretty much everything on our property and eliminating stuff. What can be, will be donated to our local 2nd hand store, some will be dumpster filler, fire starter or hauled for scrap. My gardens are taking new shape this year. I will not be using the main garden or even the back garden. We don't need as much for just the 3 people in our home, but we are going back to a natural diet to help my health and allergies. I will be doing some container gardening, some spot gardening(small squares in areas that work for my needs), and some beds. Many of my fruit trees and vines have quit producing or need some serious attention...and I neglected them last year. I have decided I need to be a better steward of this little plot of land, in my control. I have watched a couple local farmers destroy hundreds, if not thousands of trees, because they are so fiscally irresponsible they need to farm every square inch possible to pay for all they have spent. So, I am going to be planting some trees. I probably won't get as many as I'd like to, because I am fiscally responsible and trees are expensive. As far as that goes, I'd put a house in the middle of a 100 acres of trees if I could! All this worked soil is destroying the land. Yes, we need farming, but desecrating hundreds of acres of trees is adding to the serious dust problems, soil nutrient deficiencies, and wildlife habitat. Crop rotation has helped some, but it will never solve the problem. Nature replenishes itself when it's given what it needs.
I am redoing my firepit this year. There were several flaws in my original design, and it needs addressed. We have spent so much time racing the clock, that we have neglected to use it much. I am changing that this year, even if I am the only one enjoying it. Being outdoors and getting some down time, is a large benefit to our health. Whether it's sitting around a bonfire, enjoying the natural vitamin d from the sun, having our hands in dirt or grounding; they all benefit our health! With so much technology in our world today, it is obvious to me why there is so much illness. The EMF's coming off all the smart meters, windmills and even solar panels; disrupt your circadian rhythm. We can no longer get away from this anymore, so we must take decisive steps to heal ourselves where we can.
This last year showed me that while I know a lot of people, and most of them are good people, the majority are not MY people/My tribe. I have a handful that, are undoubtedly my inner circle, but it has been a little depressing to realize that most are not. When you look for people who are within your field of skill, abilities, knowledge, trust(biggest), and even if opinions differ...still able to have respectful conversation; it's pretty humbling to realize who you can or can not call on when you need them OR they just show up when you need them most - without you even having to say anything! I'm not necessarily talking about in person, and that is awesome too but you get a phone call or message saying "hey, I was thinking about you and wanted to check in on you!" I guess it's the ones that you feel really listen when you talk, not that just brush over things, or not the ones you only hear from when they want to challenge or correct you. It is humbling having to learn(relearn) the difference between an acquaintance and a friend. Not everyone is a friend, and friendship should be a coveted endearment.
I had a lot of things blow up in my face in 2024, it knocked me down....hard! I know how to dance, but cha-cha'ing through the entire year, was almost too much. Yet, there were 3 steady Friends, that were actually there as I needed them. One of them being my husband, who sadly was the one receiving the majority of my ire. He is not one that will just coddle my moods...needless to say, he found buttons that just should not be pushed. He's been a trooper though. While we can SAY that we will be there for people, offer them a safe place to have a conversation; I personally didn't feel that "welcome" this past year. I saw a lot of judgement, a lot of gossip, and a lack of empathy/compassion for anyone or anything that had differed from the opinion of others. I know I am guilty of this, and the past year was my worst - because, for me, it was difficult to have compassion for anyone when that compassion for myself was gone.
So, returning to a simpler life goal, has become a necessity for me. I stick to my own world most of the time. I will stay on top of things in the news, but simplicity also means knowing when to shut out the outside world. Whether that be a few hours or days; we all need to recharge. I'm choosing to recharge with eliminating things that are no longer serving a purpose for me. Getting rid of the toxicity where I can, but also stepping out of my self-induced comfort zone. You can not grow in your comfort zone. It's a great place to find balance, but you need more to continue growing. I love learning, so I'm focusing on that by increasing skills in areas that interest me. I'm not going to go learn mechanics....but I may just try my hand at some concrete work. I'd love to build my husband the grilling patio he deserves, but I have to learn how first! Having found that my computer skills are very 90's ish and not learning all this new editing crap, whether that be photo or documents, I need so big work there too. I continually learn new gardening/cooking skills...this is truly my area of love. I have just gotten away from so much after reaching a severe burn out state last year. I lost interest in everything. I will be fixing this, I am realistic enough to know it will take time, but my goals are set to fix it.
I am excited to be on a better path for 2025. I hope to document this journey, so maybe it can help someone else too!
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