When I began this journey, I started reading all I could about various skills, and how others have managed to make the switch to simpler lifestyle. Along the way I’ve come to realize there are several key ingredients to living the simple life in a society that is moving in the opposite direction. Some key things I’ve noticed both from experience and in observing others on this journey are the importance of contentment, organization, purpose, and willingness to learn. Today, I’m going to focus on the first key — contentment.
First, confession…it is easy for me to get caught up in consumerism even as I desire to move away from that lifestyle and be more self-reliant! However, as I strive to learn new skills, and live a more simple, frugal lifestyle, I have found that it is still so easy to get caught up in acquiring new things. Books are my primary downfall. I’ve done my share of decluttering, and continue to do so. But, as I’ve shared before, there are some items (including books) that need to be purchased, borrowed, or bartered for in order for us to make many of the items that most people purchase.
Fragrant Jasmine in Bloom
So, I have a list of things I “need”, yet I find that some of those needs are really wants. Can I do without? Can I come up with a creative way to duplicate an item I think I need to purchase, that will still get the job done? For instance, I am loving working with fibers and spinning my own yarn. I’m now longing for a spinning wheel! Of course, a wheel is not in our budget for the near future, so I’m learning to be content with the drop spindle I started with, and my dear son and hubby are crafting me a couple more to try.
The seed catalogs have been arriving over the past few weeks – all sorts of new varieties are available! It’s easy to just start making a list, but wait! Don’t I have seeds from my order last spring? I even managed to save a few seeds from my tiny garden last year. I’ll sit down today with a cup of homegrown herbal tea, and take inventory of my seed packets. I have a feeling I have plenty to work with! It would be fun to place that order, but I believe I can be content with what I have.
From my own experience, and from reading blogs and books written by others trying to live a simpler life, I’ve noticed that an underlying secret to successfully moving toward the life we desire is contentment. The culture is constantly bombarding us with messages that we need more, deserve more, etc. Cultivating contentment isn’t always easy. However, it is a key ingredient to living a simpler lifestyle. Contentment isn’t really about not purchasing things we might need or even want. Instead, for me at least, it means looking inside myself at my motivations and what occupies my thoughts.
Am I spending more time thinking and dreaming about all the things I want or need in order to give us a more simple lifestyle, than actually staying on task and making do with what I have? Too often, I have to answer honestly that I’m spending more time pining for what I don’t have, than appreciating all the tools and resources at my disposal today. There is always lots to be done and enjoyed around our suburban homestead. We have been richly blessed! I have everything I need to do a better job cooking from scratch, making my own cleaning supplies and bath products, growing food, and mastering various handcrafts. Instead of spending valuable time and energy worrying about what I don’t have, I am resolved to be content, really content, and daily enjoy/make use of the items at hand.
“But Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1Timothy 6:6