Now that I have it permanently emblazoned on my body- I need to walk the walk. Coming from a family of very meager means- most of my life has been lived simply. My best memories of childhood are playing with all of my cousins at my grandparents house, running around in the woods, sneaking over to the strawberry fields and eating until our bellies ached. My brother and I never had lots of toys or 'cool' clothes, we didn't get cars when we got our licences, we didn't go to Disneyland. Even when I got old enough to work and had more ability to indulge in more extravagances, I still chose to wear my flannel and jeans and spend my spare time hiking or playing on the beach. I just never had a taste for the froufrou things in life- the seemingly unnecessary. I went through a stage when I started my first adult job where I had way more money than I needed and, for a time, my mindset started to wander... wonder. I went to malls, jewelry stores, car dealerships, gadget stores. I spent money. Lots of it. On superfluous things. It was fun, I guess.
That was about 2 years of my life. And then I got pregnant, had baby, came to my senses. I wasn't going to raise my daughter like that. We didn't even want to raise our daughter around that environment... so we moved to the White Mountains. And my journey began again to go back my roots.
And now, 3 babies later- I am still trying. I did not think twice about my girls seeing "live simply" tattooed on my body. I want them to know that it really is that important to me, to them, to our lives. It is clearly not something I take lightly. So when I posted a photo of my wrist online and a friend retorted, "when are you getting rid of your phone, tv, computer, car, cameras, ipod etc?" it really bothered me. Aside from the fact that he is a jackass, I reserve the right to live simply, the way I choose to, in my own definition. For me, living simply is not moving to a hut on a mountainside eating tree bark.
Do I have an iPod? Why yes. Does it save me from the waste of hundreds of plastic CD's/cases/inserts? Why yes.
Do I drive an SUV to accommodate a family of 5? Yes. Am I hanging on to a 10+ year old smaller car to save gas and keep it out of the landfill for as long as possible? Yes.
Do I buy a cute new outfit for my daughter that I just can't resist how stinking adorable it is? Occasionally. Do my children wear hand-me-downs and Goodwill? Most often.
Do I wash our laundry in a washing machine instead of on a stone down by the river? Yes. Do I use a dryer for our family of 5? Very rarely in the last 3 years in an emergency.
Basically, I am living my life in a way that works for my family. I cannot impose my every whim on 4 other people. But I can certainly try my hardest to make it work for all of us while appreciating our days, enjoying our moments and keeping peace with our environment so that my grandchildren can do the same.
And if that means driving to Starbucks to get a latte every once in a blue moon, don't judge!
What an unfortunate comment for a friend to make. DH and I are trying hard to live more simply and more naturally. I agree it doesn't mean moving into the woods and cutting off all outside contact, but really taking into account what is frivolous, while still enjoying life.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your tattoo and that you and your husband have taken such a stand to simplify life.
do you line dry in the winter too? Do you hang your clothes inside?
We had a clothesline for a while, but had such a hard time using it when it was cold out
As someone who was more or less forced to live simply, I applaud the desire to live that way and to enjoy it. As relieved as I am to have many modern ameneties now, there was something magical about my time up north: raising chickens, gardening, hanging cloth diapers on the line, making my own soap even.
ReplyDeleteBut there are many ways to live simply. I've been to your house. It has an air of peace about it, as do you. The best thing about many modern gadgets are that they *do* make life simpler. It's easier to focus on your family and your passions when you can simplify other tasks. (The point about the iPod was a good one!)
Take what others say with a grain of salt. In my experience, comments like that almost universally come from jealousy or a feeling of inadequacy. Not your problem.
PS I *love* the tattoo!
I love you.
ReplyDeleteLiving simply means cutting out the crap.
Not the small luxuries.
Especially when they are benefitting others, as yours clearly are.
I love you.
ReplyDeleteLiving simply means cutting out the crap.
Not the small luxuries.
Especially when they are benefitting others, as yours clearly are.
nicely said michele ... love you & your beautiful tattoo ...
ReplyDeleteI think you can have some comforts and still live simply. You aren't buying a Range Rover SUV or LV handbags. There are some things I would like to cut out, but the hubby is just too attached to them (ahem his giant TV), but he really doesn't spend money on much else so I compromise on the FIOS!
ReplyDeleteLiving simply does not mean giving up modern or time-saving things altogether.
ReplyDeleteI think your tattoo is brilliant and it's a great motto.
Everyone needs to compromise somewhere whether it's only using a dryer in the winter time or driving the kids to school in the rain instead of walking.
Keep up the good work!