Simpler Life Categories

In trying to think of how to blog this process of moving to a simpler life, I pondered whether I should just blog what comes into my mind or blog in a more organized way.  I guess I might first start with what categories of my life can I think of that I need to simplify.  So here is the short list -

• Kitchen/Cooking/Eating (wonder why that is top of the list..haha)
• Furniture
• Clothing
• Toiletries
• Electronics
• Keepsakes/Photos
• Animals and paraphernalia
• Desk Work
• Miscellaneous 

Ok, so that is my first try at a list.  Can anyone help me think of some other categories?  I'll add more as I discover more.

A More Simple Life

What exactly is "a more simple life"?

Dictionary.com says -

sim·ple

  [sim-puhl]

1.

easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.: a simple matter; simple tools.

2.

not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.

3.

not ornate or luxurious; unadorned: a simple gown.

4.

unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.

5.

not complicated: a simple design.

I really like the parts of the definition that says, "easy to understand, deal with, use" as well as "not complicated".  And also based on the above definition, I would like to add:

• free of clutter
• free of non-essentials

What are the advantages of a simple life?  The number one answer is TIME.  And why do we want more time?  Of course, it is to do the things that you REALLY want to do, which in turn will bring more true CONTENTMENT. Less is truly more when you can gain the time to help live in the moment rather than waiting for the moment to come to you.  

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Take therefore no thought for the morrow;  for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.  

Matthew 6:33-34

So, therefore, less is truly more.

(Now, for how to achieve the simple life....hmmmm.....)

Waiting, Saving for a Rainy Day?

Why do we only use good china and special crystal for special occasions? Why do we light candles for special dinners or only for blackouts? Why do dress up for special occasions only? Why do we eat certain foods only on holidays? Why do we only have parties for birthdays? Why do we only get our nails manicured for a wedding? Why do we wait for a once-a-year (or longer) vacation? Why do we say...”...when the kids get older...”? Or “..when we retire...”?

Are things more special if we use them sparingly? Or is it really that we lose appreciation for things over time? Is it possible to forego losing appreciation? Is it possible to really enjoy these things on a more rather than less often time table?

Sometimes it may not be possible to do these things because of money, that is true. So if we work harder and longer, (during which time we will be biding our time), then we can have that money. This is counter productive to happiness,......UNLESS we are enjoying those moments rather than biding our time.

Maybe we think that if we use our china and crystal then they are more likely to be broken. Yes, that is true, so gauging how important that is, is paramount. Perhaps it IS more important to you to make sure that you have a full set of unchipped dishes to use for serving at Christmas. Of course, this could also happen the one time you take them out at Christmas, also. Perhaps you don't want to “wear out” your pretty clothing. But, wouldn't it be more enjoyable to wear them more often and then buy more, even if you buy less expensive clothing?

Life is short. Or long. We don't know which one. Make every moment count. Don't ever bide your time.

All of this is a personal decision. What do you think?

SOMEDAY....I'll/We'll ________.

Why is it that people wish and wait to do things? Sometimes, admittedly, it is just not possible. Due to money or due to kids or ...well, actually, you COULD probably still do those things with less money and with kids, but it might not be exactly as you want. Sometimes people are just too scared! They worry that it won't work. Gasp! Then what? LOL Sometimes people worry about what others think. Yeah, that definitely is the lamest of excuses. Who cares? There are lots of people who say that when they retire they are going to get a camper and travel around and live that way. Good for them! Some people say that same thing about boats, did you know that?

As for myself, I just am not going to have much of a retirement. That reason is because when I was married, previously, any retirement that I had we took out and used for bills. Then I divorced and I started all over with saving for retirement. I don't plan on ever retiring, actually. When I become unable to do my job, that is when I will stop. And I don't plan to predict that. I intend to live as I do now....in the present....with some regard to the future, but, not as some people, admittedly.

One never knows when life will be taken from this earth. One also never can be prepared for EVERY emergency and occurrence. Oh, yes, you can try. But where is the line between preparing and obsessing to the point of not living your life to its fullest. Should we be not living everyday to the fullest right now? I believe that we should! As if it were our only and last!

Why Moving to a Boat?

That is the big question. WHY?

You may wonder if I've done this before? Uh, no. I have NEVER lived on a boat.

My experience on the water:

• speed boat/motor boat on lakes – several times
• canoe a couple of times
• kayak – once
• houseboat twice – once visited overnight and once riding/fishing in the Great Lakes - both as a child
• Jet ski – once
• deep sea fishing a couple of times

As you can see my experience is fairly limited. I have never been out on a sailboat and I've never been out in the ocean on a boat that could be a live-a-board.

You may wonder if this is somehow related to a career/job? Uh, no. I'm a teacher in the public school system.

You may wonder if I'm crazy? Maybe? But then, what is crazy? Is crazy doing something out of the norm? Who's norm? What is normal? See where I'm going with this?

So, to answer the big question – WHY? Two main reasons: 1 – I've always wanted to live a more simple life. (More on that in a later topic.) and 2 – It SOUNDS like a lot of fun and adventure.

Pondering what you want out of life!

This article by George Carlin is very relevant to me as he discusses our world today.  Examine your life.....is that what you really want?


SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

First Post - Moving to a Boat!

It's the first day of 2013, the first day of January, and the first post in my first blog on blogger!  My post is about another first....for me, that is.  Moving......to....a....boat!  WHAT?!  I know.  That's kind of a biggie!

The move is planned for midsummer.  But when you think about it, that is not too far off into the future.    Yikes!  is the word, especially when you consider all the details of my past life AND the details of the planning.

My intention, in this blog, is to chronicle the events up to and then the actual life of, living on a boat.  I'm VERY excited!  I'm VERY nervous!  I think putting it into a blog will help me, and it might help someone else, or perhaps be interesting to read.  We'll see if I get any followers/readers.

So, who out there lives on a boat?  Care to share?

Michelle