tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post157148050602024237..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Why are you simplifying?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-8376709852019413162008-11-10T01:32:00.000+10:002008-11-10T01:32:00.000+10:00My husband and I are simplifying because I am reti...My husband and I are simplifying because I am retired, so I have time to simplify and we need to economize. We also want to live a better life through simplicity. The first major thing I did towards simplifying was to live in two rooms for one month and find joy in that. My husband and I were in Burkina Faso, where he carries out research on the traditional arts of the peoples of B.F., and we rented a two room place. We had only what we needed, and we had a place for everything we used. Cleaning every day, a necessity in a dusty place, was easy, as was laundry. It made perfect sense to me. We have a fairly large home, and we are working on decluttering. Outdoors, our garden needs our attention, and we are cultivating only what we need. We are also recycling books, magazines, trying to do more in depth and less in scattered concentration. That is a necessity too, as I have lost the ability to "multi-task" as I have become older. We sold a gas guzzler and now drive a hybrid. In the future I see us scaling down to a smaller home with a smaller garden.Norahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10407712170294731883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11804331695210001472008-10-06T10:52:00.000+10:002008-10-06T10:52:00.000+10:00Why are you simplifying?because life is too hectic...Why are you simplifying?<BR/>because life is too hectic, and i just don't need it. i've been told i'm a minimalist, and well, i simply don't see that i need a kettle when i can boil water on the stove, or a rice cooker when i can cook that on the stove. why invite more clutter, which makes everything harder in the small space i have, makes it less appealing to cook my own meals, why invite that clutter with things that "make my life easier". when they so clearly don't.<BR/>i'm simplifying to help our planet, my community, my mental health. i cannot save the world, but if everyone did their small part, the world would be saved. i don't agree with people who say, others aren't doing it though, so it's wasted effort. maybe my effort will be the thing that triggers someone elses effort. and every bit counts!<BR/><BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>many things. but i think passionate people (like you!) did most of it. people who can speak articulately on their subject, whether it be simple living or vegetarianism. also, being reminded that i don't have to change everything all at once. i can do one thing at a time, and that's better than nothing. or i would get overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task, and never begin. but now i've begun, and it's not that hard =)<BR/><BR/>What was the first thing major thing you changed?<BR/>i became vegetarian. it's really not complicated for me, i didn't like meat that much before i stopped eating it. it's something you do everyday, every time you shop, every time you eat.<BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>i would like to eat locally produced meat in the future, but right now i don't have the time to investigate this, so i just stay vegetarian.<BR/>also, at the moment i live with my parents, so i have very little say about many things in the house. but at the end of 2008, i'm moving out, and am really excited about the things i can change. small things like not flushing every time the toliet is used. buying from the markets whenever possible. buying organic, fairtrade, supporting local industries. with the goal of one day, doing much bigger things! having my own veggie garden, fruit trees, rain water tank, using all our greywater.Tianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01486887207783239072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90168860974730998782008-09-29T13:44:00.000+10:002008-09-29T13:44:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, Took a while to get to this but...Why a...Hi Rhonda, Took a while to get to this but...<BR/>Why are you simplifying? We are a family of 4, our kids are 18months and 4 1/2 and we want to provide a healthy ethical lifestyle for the family. As I don't do much paid work, we do have a tight budget but that is only one of the reasons. We are concerned about sustainability and we want to make sure the kids are resourceful and practical, and to become more so ourselves, especially me as my husband is very practical.<BR/>.<BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live? Having kids is a big motivator.. I have been aware of environmental issues for a long time, but talking the talk and living lightly, but could have been doing more. Now that we have a house, we can grow food, have hens and recycle more, and having kids highlights the amount of waste (toys, excess clothes) they can generate if you aren't careful<BR/><BR/>What was the first thing major thing you changed? I have bought a lot of second hand for ages, but now I really try to source things second hand if I can, or make use of something else for the job. Luckily Ive never been the 'everything has to match' in the house type.<BR/><BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future? When we are more financially secure (hopefully not if) , would like to retrofit house more, and learn more about gardening and craft, and being more sustainable. Thanks for your great blog. Its very inspirational<BR/><BR/>regards AnnaAnnaThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17867549526129717651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55830653101500038272008-09-27T16:50:00.000+10:002008-09-27T16:50:00.000+10:00Why are you simplifying? For our health primarily...Why are you simplifying? For our health primarily, although we have always lived quite simply. We also find it cheaper, more satisfying and beneficial to everyone including our land and environment. We want to be role models to our children and find that living simply encourages the use and seeking of knowledge which is practical and useful for generations.<BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live? Ill-health and the cost of living. We are always thinking of ways to escape what we don't like about our society including consumerism. Living simply matches our philosophies in life.<BR/>What was the first thing major thing you changed? Food. We eat very limited packaged food or food containing preservatives and other additives. We eat everything fresh and cooked from scratch.<BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future? We will be growing our own organic fruit and veg on our own land. We'll be learning more in the quest to become as self-sufficient as possible.Ceehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18038238586812568949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70301742379838319502008-09-27T09:07:00.000+10:002008-09-27T09:07:00.000+10:001. Why are you simplifying?I have always bent towa...1. Why are you simplifying?<BR/>I have always bent toward simplicity because it was a natural inclination. I love all back to basic skill. I love the idea of not depending on others to meet my need in exchange for selling out my values. I lived thinking that I had to let go of those dreams in the city but it just is not so. I can live off my land here as well.<BR/> 2. What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>I knew that some day may never come. I would love to have some land and farm some it, but it was not going to happen. So I decided to make it happen here.<BR/> 3. What was the first thing major thing you changed?<BR/>I got more focused on the thrift and stopped being embarrassed when folks made fun of me for it. I realized that it had value of character for me that I valued no matter what anyone felt. Those who laugh at the hard work now have begun to respect it. I did this for my family and for myself. Use what I have first.<BR/> 4. How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>I want to harvest rain water. Sew more and better the skills I have. Learn how to bake bread. Looking for mentors in the skills I long to learn. I also am passing on the knowledge I do have. Walk with dignity and pride with the skill set now being so highly sought after.Donettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530145585581721795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-64702166109303987172008-09-27T04:28:00.000+10:002008-09-27T04:28:00.000+10:001. Why are you simplifying?So my children will gro...1. Why are you simplifying?<BR/>So my children will grow up thinking this sort of life is not only normal, but enjoyable. And for me, because I really loathe the fast pace of modern living. It makes me crabby when I have to do too many things too many days in a row.<BR/><BR/> 2. What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>I'm not sure there was any one thing which was the "tipping point". A lot of things I've done much of my life, out of necessity, or because that's the way women in my family have always done it. This was more about changing my emotional response to the way I live, and actively attacking those areas of my life that don't fit with what I actually want.<BR/><BR/> 3. What was the first thing major thing you changed?<BR/><BR/>Line drying clothes/cloth napkins. I still "cheat" with the electric dryer when the weather is wet or I'm ill. <BR/><BR/>I can't say shopping at yard sales and second hand shops, because I've done that for most of my life; although it's only in the past couple years that I have made the "used" sources a priority and the "new" shops a fall-back for when I really need something.<BR/><BR/> 4. How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/><BR/>Oh, loads of ways! a few: Much more home-growing of food, learning how to knit/crochet warm things like mittens and socks, buying less food/etc that is super cheap because of unpleasantness along the line, living even more seasonally than I do now, ~maybe~ getting up the nerve to campaign for an allowance for people inside the city to have some chickens, rabbits, maybe a small goat or pig, in their yard. As my children get older, I'd like to do more volunteering with things like the local food co-op, or help get some community gardens going (or help with existing ones, cuz I'm going to assume that by the time I have time, others will have already tackled that project). I'd like to find a more sustainable way to heat our home, to cook food, and so on. My spouse is rather interested in such things, so mostly it will be me going "ooooo" and him going "well, that's lovely, but it won't work here and this is why....".<BR/><BR/>And I agree with others- I love your blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65328716910937089682008-09-26T00:29:00.000+10:002008-09-26T00:29:00.000+10:00Why are you simplifying?I feel hectic and depresse...Why are you simplifying?<BR/>I feel hectic and depressed when I am busy and the house is a mess. So I've been working on decluttering the house- keeping only things we use/love, in doing that, I have had to look at my attitude towards "stuff"- if I don't need it, then I don't need to "keep up w/ the Joneses" and I don't need to shop for it, which takes time and money. And are all those activities adding to my life or taking something away?<BR/><BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>Like I answered the first question: I feel hectic and depressed when I am busy and the house is a mess.<BR/><BR/><BR/>What was the first thing major thing you changed?<BR/>Probably what we cook/eat. Though because my life was so full of *stuff/things*, I made a commitment to get rid of 2008 things in 2008- I have less than 100 things to go and I see how much stuff we still have cluttering up our home.<BR/><BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>Being able to enjoy life more, having more time, because I'm not moving piles from here to there and back again. Seeing that my children can do things that people don't always know these days: garden, sew, cook, bake bread, etc. In the next couple years all the kids friends will be in sports and activities and I'm hoping my kids will see the value of time and not be bothered that they aren't doing the same things, but building relationships with their family instead of being too busy with *stuff*Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11978979903448366922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5721521272402353422008-09-25T23:11:00.000+10:002008-09-25T23:11:00.000+10:00Your blog is wonderful! I think you are a kindred...Your blog is wonderful! I think you are a kindred spirit. I could go on and on to answer your questions, but I'll try to boil it down:<BR/><BR/>Q: Why are you simplifying?<BR/>A: Having spent my pre-mom years in advertising, I was all too familiar with the rat-race, more-more-more emphasis of our culture today. Hollow. Endless. Destructive.<BR/>Now I'm home full-time, caring for my daughter, husband, house, community, and -- in my small way -- the earth. Simplifying is a natural part of my total shift from consumerism to conservation. The rewards are personal, creative, and spiritual. I also feel that I am providing a positive example of responsible values for my daughter, the next generation. <BR/><BR/>Q: What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>A: I was lucky that being at home gave me valuable time to think, read and evaluate my place on this earth. In doing so, I noticed the pointless way most people around me were chasing after Stuff -- bigger houses, new cars, expensive clothes, etc. (I live in an affluent suburb of New York City.) Of course, this Stuff requires spending more precious time earning the money to pay for it, and I saw the negative effect this has on family time and being there for your children, and general quality of life. I also became concerned about the oblivious selfishness and unsustainability of this kind of lifestyle, and the damage it does to our earth.<BR/><BR/>Also, a real epiphany occurred for me when my mom developed early-onset Alzheimer's, and I realized that every minute we have is precious and should not be frittered away on unimportant pursuits and possessions. I've become a clutter-clearing enthusiast, and I love the results!<BR/><BR/>Q: What was the first major thing that you changed?<BR/>A: I got rid of television! Hands down, the best parenting move I've ever made. (My daughter was about two at the time.) It removed the biggest and lowest-quality intrusion into our lives, and the loudest drum-beat for consumerism. We watch quality DVDs on the box, and my daughter is passionate about foreign films, classic Hitchcock, documentaries about history -- things most of her contemporaries haven't a clue about! And we can easily keep up with current events by radio, computer and print. PLUS we've gained so much time to talk, read, do art, garden, cook, volunteer in the community, etc. I don't know why more people don't do this!!! It's very COOL!<BR/><BR/>Q: How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>A: I'd like to continue on this path, and also try to find ways to teach children about what I've learned. They are our best hope for changing attitudes that are unhealthy for ourselves and our planet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47354374877225251122008-09-25T20:58:00.000+10:002008-09-25T20:58:00.000+10:00Dear Rhonda... I won't say Good Luck for the book,...Dear Rhonda... <BR/><BR/>I won't say <I>Good Luck</I> for the book, for you are out there forging your own luck and making your life and your life experiences work in the best possible way. I wish you all the best with it, though, and hope that it will be published in Australia at some point in the near future. Remember, I've pre-ordered ten copies!! :D<BR/><BR/><I>Now, down to the....QUESTIONS!</I><BR/><BR/>1) Why are you simplifying? <BR/><BR/>A) To live a more satisfying lifestyle; to connect with what’s real; to live more in tune with my intuition and instincts; to carve out a better quality of life for myself and my family; to “step more lightly” on the planet and to step outside the trappings and the deemed necessities of modern life which mostly aren’t necessities at all - without becoming a hermit and squirrelling myself away from society altogether, lol!<BR/><BR/>2) What convinced you that you should change how you live? <BR/><BR/>A) I guess the real motivation was having children, over two decades ago. I began to really wonder about the world, the planet and what society was becoming, and how I, and my children, could fit into this world. <BR/><BR/>3) What was the first thing major thing you changed? <BR/><BR/>A) Probably my way of thinking. Whilst I think at times my taking action has been a bit slow, my mind “got it” years ago and is way ahead!<BR/><BR/>4) How do you see yourself changing in the future? <BR/><BR/>A) Just a progression of what I’m doing now, really, including the learning of new (often old) skills to become more self sufficient; demonstrating to others and the teaching of skills; getting out of debt; growing more and more food, and continuing to work at relocalising my community. <I>Who knows what else, the future is quite a mystery…</I><BR/><BR/>ReeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81313936888383379592008-09-25T19:56:00.000+10:002008-09-25T19:56:00.000+10:00Why are you simplifying?Mainly food right now. I ...Why are you simplifying?<BR/>Mainly food right now. I have stored up a pantry, and we eat whole foods or foods cooked from scratch. We do not drive unless we have to. We do not go out to eat.<BR/><BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/><BR/>The economy. We are in the states. Things have been bad economically here for a while, much longer than just since stocks have crashed. The current President protected the wealthy for a long time, but the stock/bank crashes finally hit them too. Everyone is waiting for the election. Any change will be good. During the last eight years the very wealthy have greatly profited while middle class vanished and the poor suffered, but even the wealthy are loosing income now.<BR/><BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>I will always count pennies and be more frugal with my stewardship of what God gives me. <BR/>I would also love to find some chickens to buy and some rabbits or even a couple of goats. I haven't been able to find any for sale as of yet. When we do, we will raise them for extra food.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43232752951044297312008-09-25T14:09:00.000+10:002008-09-25T14:09:00.000+10:00Why simplify? To have a smaller impact on the pla...Why simplify? To have a smaller impact on the planet, while having a bigger impact on our daughters.<BR/><BR/>What convinced us? Doing a bunch of reading, both books & online, and learning what was really in the food we were eating.<BR/><BR/>1st major change? Baking Bread.<BR/><BR/>Future change? We are learning to grow more of our own food, be more self sufficient, and more frugal. We also hope to install solar panels on the roof of our garage/ shop once we get it built, and begin harvesting our rain water with rain barrels. I'm learning to sew, and to preserve food for winter, LOTS of changes are afoot for us, in every way!<BR/><BR/>I LOVE your blog, and hope to have a garden as lovely as yours one day. Thank you.Sharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08776207973534699394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30736718928199727502008-09-25T06:54:00.000+10:002008-09-25T06:54:00.000+10:00I haven't read all the comments so far, but I susp...I haven't read all the comments so far, but I suspect that my experience is in many ways the opposite of a lot of people's. Ever since my teens (I am now 50) I have consciously been trying to live frugally and simply, to not waste resources, and to not use "more than my fair share".<BR/>Until very recently our family income was on the low side, with housing provided by my husband's work. In fact he was only paid quarterly, which called for the development of excellent budgeting skills! Most of the time while our two children were growing up I earnt only small amounts from writing, and later on, tutoring. I did however have the time to cook from scratch, plan meals well, garden, make clothes and so on.<BR/>Recently things have changed. Our children are adult and independent, and my husband has a different job with a much better salary. I too am able to earn, doing what I consider to be a very worthwhile teaching job. We have more money than we ever dreamed possible (not in fact a huge amount by many people's standards) My point is, we continue to live as simply as possible. A lot of the extra money has helped our children with postgraduate study that they would never have managed otherwise. We are able to be a bit more generous with treating other people, and have been able to increase our charitable giving. We will be paying off our mortgage much sooner than we expected. (We started to buy a house when my husband changed his job) I think because all this has come to us later in life after years of simple living we don't take it for granted and our expectations are already formed, so I can genuinely say I don't want anything more than I already have. I am so glad that things have been this way round - and when I see my children budgeting sensibly, living within their means and not longing for things they can't have, I am glad for their sake too.<BR/>Thanks for the blog, and thanks for tempting me to comment rather than just lurk. You are doing a marvellous job of encouraging people, including me.<BR/>Bella NAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44164192551946300682008-09-25T02:19:00.000+10:002008-09-25T02:19:00.000+10:001. Why are you simplifying? We started changing th...1. Why are you simplifying? We started changing things not in an effort to simplify but just to eat better, live better, save money and take better care of the world around us. <BR/> 2. What convinced you that you should change how you live? Getting married.. we both had ideas of gardening and such and decided once the wedding was over we needed to put those ideas into practice.<BR/> 3. What was the first thing major thing you changed? We gave up using paper towels but keeping a basket of various types of rags/towels in the kitchen. And we put up a clothesline. <BR/> 4. How do you see yourself changing in the future? We will be continuously adding to our gardening and learning more about it so we have bigger harvests. With bigger harvests comes more preserving. I love to sew anyway but I want to learn more practical sewing instead of just making cute, crafty things. We are trying to retrain ourselves to reuse things and to look for used things first when we need something. I am trying to relearn the concept of what I need vs. what I want. <BR/>And of course, once we have children, things will be changing quite a bit again. <BR/><BR/>It's worth it though. Sitting down to a meal of food you have grown yourself combined with things like bread you made yourself. It's just very soul satisfying. That's why we started down this road. It had nothing to do with being more simple. It had everything to do with life being more satisfying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31801929868488621642008-09-25T02:15:00.000+10:002008-09-25T02:15:00.000+10:00My name is Stephanie. I am a 36 year old mother of...My name is Stephanie. I am a 36 year old mother of 3 boys ages ranging from 15 to 4. I live in Silsbee, Texas(home of hurricane Ike).<BR/>I am simplifying because that is in a great part the way my mother raised me. I feel as if the simple life is either deep inside you or not. There is a yearning inside me to grow my food and make things...my life with my own two hands.<BR/>Convincing has not really been an issue with me. I think maturity is maybe a better word. What is truly important in life took a while for me to discover.<BR/>The first major thing I changed was a garden like most. I grew up with an organic garden during my childhood. That spawned me into the realization that the mall was not the place for me either. <BR/>I see myself changing in th future by building on this lifestyle. Just maybe I can get to a point where i can be self sustainable.<BR/>Thank you for this blog. It is a true inspiration. Keep up the good work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68100435366178170662008-09-25T01:37:00.000+10:002008-09-25T01:37:00.000+10:001. Why am I simplifying? I am simplifying because ...1. Why am I simplifying? I am simplifying because of the shaky state of our economy (live in U.S.) and I want to be truly independent.<BR/><BR/>2. What convinced me? Actually, stumbling across your blog was what did it. I hadn't actually thought about it before then.<BR/><BR/>3. What was the first thing I changed? I sat down with my partner and together we decided on a budget. Big step for us, believe me.<BR/><BR/>4. What changes do I see in the future? I live in an apartment now, and I have the blackest thumb known to man, but I'd love to have my own little house (no McMansions for me, thankyouverymuch) with a garden that sustains my body and my soul. I'd also like chickens, but the boyfriend flat out refuses to even think about it. :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75267848235737138632008-09-25T00:21:00.000+10:002008-09-25T00:21:00.000+10:00Why are you simplifying?To save money. Save the pl...Why are you simplifying?<BR/>To save money. Save the planet. Slow life down a bit.Connect with real life again.<BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>We weren't really doing anything majorly ungreen but the opportunity came to move into somewhere we own outright and we could simplify life a bit more than we had been. I have always made my own bread etc. Got it from my frugal gran I think!<BR/>What was the first thing major thing you changed?<BR/>Difficult to say, but we do grow our own veg now. I wanted to before but the previous property, although allowing chicken keeping, goats etc wasn't right for veg growing. So, although it is different here it is not particularly greener than we were before.<BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>I would love to get rid of the TV and other trappings of modern life. Now I have the computer and the Internet I watch less and less anyway.lilymarlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12370053859106368722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18326690800475991162008-09-24T21:58:00.000+10:002008-09-24T21:58:00.000+10:00We are simplifying to give a more wholesome and ba...We are simplifying to give a more wholesome and balanced feel to our life which is very chaotic. To be kinder to the planet and each other. To take time to enjoy simple things and to spend time together as a family.<BR/>Life had become so chaotic and busy that we felt we were missing out on things that were important - a message also which we are trying to have our children grow up with.<BR/><BR/>The first thing we changed? We have always recycled and grown some of our food. We now have chickens - which is fantastic! - but we are trying to simplify our food and concentrate on the phrase 'a job for another day' so we don't run ourselves into the ground.<BR/><BR/>How do we see ourselves changing in the future? <BR/><BR/>I would like to see us succeed in eating simple, healthy, preferably home produced food all the time. To have our work life more under control - as a Vicar my husband often works from home and there can be a lot of people in the house! and not feel so tired all the time!<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your inspiring posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33972796614112315792008-09-24T20:49:00.000+10:002008-09-24T20:49:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,Your blog is so inspiring, thank-you so ...Hi Rhonda,<BR/>Your blog is so inspiring, thank-you so much! <BR/>My answers:<BR/>Why are you simplifying?<BR/>To lead a joyous life, look after our precious planet, set an example for our children and others, to be different that the average person, to save money so we can spend more time doing what we want rather than working to buy lots of plastic and drain the planets resources.<BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you lived?<BR/>I have always been a 'greenie' at heart, but I got very serious about it after having children as it wasn't just about looking after the planet anymore but also about our health and the childrens education (our boys are 5 & 3 and they are home educated in a natural learning/ unschooling style).<BR/>What was the first major thing you changed?<BR/>Our commitment to never buy anything new until we have exhausted all avenues for finding second hand stuff and still think that the item we want to purchase is necessary. Also, maybe more importantly, when we converted every thing we use/eat/consume into organic food and chemical free cleaners (thanks for your laundry liquid recipe it is saving me quite a bit of money compared to buying natural laundry liquid!) <BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>We are selling up and moving out of suburbia (house goes on the market in 4 days!), getting some land (at least an acre), building a strawbale self-sufficient house early next year, becoming almost totally self-sufficient. Both parents at home, no mortgage, growing nearly all our food and making some extra cash at the farmers markets is our aim. Also want to spend time helping others lead simple lives.<BR/><BR/>I hope this helps, look forward to reading your blog in the future, it is so grounding.<BR/><BR/>Erica.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65612212168956402102008-09-24T16:41:00.000+10:002008-09-24T16:41:00.000+10:00Holy Smokes! I had planned on answering these ques...Holy Smokes! I had planned on answering these questions this morning, and I was amazed how many people beat me to it! Anyhow, I'm jumping in late on this, but here goes.<BR/><BR/>Why are you simplifying?<BR/>Because I've reached a point in my life where I feel trapped by all the clutter and junk we've been collecting and packing around for so long. It's time to get rid of it and make some elbow room!<BR/><BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>I'm not really sure. It just hit me one day. Maybe my grandmother's genes are kicking in!<BR/><BR/>What was the first major thing you changed?<BR/>Making my own household cleaners. It was time to get away from all the chemicals and I've actually had fun experimenting with different cleaning recipes and tweaking them to suit my needs.<BR/><BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>I'd like to see us getting more self-sufficient and pay off our debts. I've really been inspired by the life you and Hanno lead, and reading your blog has not only opened my eyes, but helped point me in the right direction to a much better way of living.Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16141679376036235962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46287636490610956832008-09-24T14:06:00.000+10:002008-09-24T14:06:00.000+10:00Okay, I'll chime in, a little late.1. Why are you ...Okay, I'll chime in, a little late.<BR/><BR/>1. Why are you simplifying? I don't know that I am actually, it's more or less how I've always lived. Neither my husband nor myself are very "stuff" oriented (although we do have our moments!) and tend to live fairly frugally. We have no debt other than a mortgage, for example.<BR/><BR/>2. What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/> I was in high school in the 1980s, when the 1960s were in vogue. The "hippie commune" vibe appealed to me and still does, although without the commune! But in terms of being self-sufficient and living off the land in a sense.<BR/><BR/>3, What was the first major thing you changed?<BR/>Honestly, I don't know. We lived in a major city and I got a community garden plot and started growing some veg. Maybe that.<BR/><BR/>4. How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>Good question. For me, there's the ideal life in which I don't watch TV, eat only organic and humanely raised meat and so forth. Then there's the more realistic version of my life, in which I do like watching some TV and can't afford the humanely raised stuff on a regular basis. (Horrifying that one makes those choices, but anyway.) Growing more veg in my new garden, knitting warm things to wear so the long winters aren't so bad. I guess I'm not sure where is a realistic place to take this. We wanted to get a hybrid car when our last one gave out, but they didn't have them in stock soon enough so we're still all fossil fuel. I would really love to change that, even though we don't drive much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6351935731897346852008-09-24T12:04:00.000+10:002008-09-24T12:04:00.000+10:00Holy COW! You have 187 comments on this. What good...Holy COW! You have 187 comments on this. What good market research. Good luck with your book proposal.<BR/><BR/>Why are you simplifying?<BR/>Because I need to spend my time and energy on my priorities--my family and home schooling.<BR/><BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>The Lord. A friend who also struggles with habitual busy-ness read an article about fasting from commitments in Discipleship Journal (Moody) and the idea just resonated.<BR/><BR/>What was the first thing major thing you changed?<BR/>Stopped making any new commitments and started evaluating value/place of current commtiments.<BR/><BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>Streamlining even more. But also having room for following the children's interests as they emerge more strongly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80343024263151137852008-09-24T08:43:00.000+10:002008-09-24T08:43:00.000+10:00Why are you simplifying?I'm about to have our four...Why are you simplifying?<BR/>I'm about to have our fourth child and we're over the rush, the keeping-up (even if we think we don't), the fact that we often feel like someone else is raising our kids. Our priorities have shifted for the better.<BR/><BR/>What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>That despite our success and good position for a couple our age, we aren't happy. And we both are increasingly distrubed at what society is seeking to teach our children about success and happiness.<BR/><BR/>What was the first thing major thing you changed?<BR/>Getting into the garden, getting chickens and baking. I have always done certain thins - be relatively frugal, use cloth nappies and make baby foods etc. <BR/><BR/>How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>Making this more than a hobby or side pursuit, making it the path we walk down together as a family everyday.goingferal(ish)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07634637410732527413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53603792491131855462008-09-24T08:13:00.000+10:002008-09-24T08:13:00.000+10:00I haven't added a comment for months but I want to...I haven't added a comment for months but I want to repay your kindness and generosity in sharing your life and learnings so here are my answers.<BR/><BR/>1. Why are you simplifying?<BR/>Having children made me focus on simplifying in two ways. Firstly, money. I had stopped work so money was a bit tighter. More importantly, having children just made me THINK more about what I regarded as important. Suddenly, expensive perfume, meals in restaurants etc just didn't seem to matter. I was thinking more about the food we put in our mouth, the local community (cheaper Internet versus local pram shop), the future of the actual earth that I would leave to my children.<BR/>Plus, I can't stand clutter and life was just getting too cluttered!<BR/><BR/>2. What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/>It was more of a gradual realisation that the life we were living just wasn't quite right. The realisation that should some horrendous catastrophe strike my country and affect food supplies, I wouldn't actually know how to grow a potato and feed my children. Couple this with the realisation that I LOVE being at home and making a home for my family. I have never been happier although so many of my friends see my life as "empty" compared to theirs. ("What? You mean, you haven't seen a show in five years? Really? But what do you do at the weekends?!" My answer "Um, live?")<BR/><BR/>3. What was the first thing major thing you changed?<BR/>Probably reducing and recycling. Re-using took a bit longer, mainly because it hadn't occured to me. I am mortified by how many buttons I must have thrown out over the years. Also, I was the first person I actually know to start using cloth nappies.<BR/><BR/>4. How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/>Gosh, too long an answer to type here. I am far enough down this path to know that this has the potential to be a very, very long path!<BR/>Small goals: definitely growing more veg and fruit. Getting a worm factory established. Being a rebel and getting a couple of chickens (against our house's title deeds but we already have two cats so I say throw caution to the wind!) Purchasing food more locally (even if that means turnips most of the winter.)<BR/>Large goals: moving to a house with passive solar heating (ie not constantly in the shade and impossible to heat), larger grounds for veg beds, renewable energy of some sort, better insulation. Raising my children to understand that more is not better, that adverts trick them, that their own wee personalities are so much more important than being cool. <BR/><BR/>I hope that's of use to you Rhonda!Happy Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17142657700102628405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-57248466525515581882008-09-24T08:02:00.000+10:002008-09-24T08:02:00.000+10:00I found your blog about 2 weeks ago and just love ...I found your blog about 2 weeks ago and just love it. No one else that I have read approaches things with the clarity and compassion that you do. <BR/><BR/>Having said that, to answer your questions: <BR/> 1. Why are you simplifying?<BR/><BR/>Because I am tired of the rat race and US$17,000 in credit card debt hanging over my head. <BR/><BR/> 2. What convinced you that you should change how you live?<BR/><BR/>Not wanting to have to sacrifice important things (like time) for my infant daughter, just because I couldn't get my stuff (like money) together. I am tired of having to have this new gadget, watch this new tv show, see this new movie, do this new expensive hobby. Life is more than our possessions.<BR/><BR/> 3. What was the first major thing you changed?<BR/><BR/>I consciously quit buying mix and prepared foods, to cook more from scratch. I was taught how, just haven't done it. It's been eye-opening as to how many of these things I already know how do do, and indeed once did without thinking, then abandoned for one reason or another. <BR/><BR/> 4. How do you see yourself changing in the future?<BR/><BR/>Well, so far, I've started knitting, baking, cooking from scratch, not buying, using reusable shopping bags, and making green cleaners, all again. Once upon a time, I did these and stopped. Now I want to learn to compost, expand our garden, reduce our consumption of electricity and water, and generally quit thinking that a gadget or program will make our lives better. What I want out of life is more time with those dear to me, shared in experiences that might be exciting or routine. This is most important to me. The stuff can't take its place.Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03848253865900498111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30094074017251722542008-09-24T06:36:00.000+10:002008-09-24T06:36:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, Eileen here.I am late coming on line to...Hi Rhonda, Eileen here.<BR/>I am late coming on line today but I want to respond to your post anyway as you have been a factor in my *happy* return to a more simple lifestle. I am stressing *happy* for a reason which will become apparent. <BR/><BR/>1 - My original reason for simplifying was just financial. Due to ill health and other circumstances I found myself having to live on a very low income. <BR/>2 - What convinced me to change was mainly financial.<BR/>3 - The first major thing I did was to stop spending. <BR/><BR/>I will come to question four shortly. Having had simplicity forced on me at first I felt a bit resentful. Then I started to look at the things I had got rather than the things I had not. I am time rich but cash poor so making better use of my time was an obvious progression. I am lucky that I was taught to cook, knit, sew etc when I was young and these things have always been a part of my life. When I had money I would buy fabric and wool and store them for the days when I would have time to use them, those days have come. I recycle as much as I can and cause as little pollution as I can because I want my grandchildren to have a better environment. <BR/>I now grow some of my food in my small town garden and this gives me much pleasure. <BR/>At the begining of my path to a more simple life I still felt a bit of a failure as I didnt have the money to buy expensive gifts for the people I love (or for myself). <BR/>Now, after reading your wonderful blog and through it many others I have learned to value my time and my skills and these are the gifts I give to my family and friends. <BR/><BR/>Now question 4 - How do I see myself changing ? I really dont know. I want to be "greener" and live in a responsible way so I hope I can continue to learn and improve. <BR/><BR/>So there you are, I have progressed from an occasionally resentful simple live to a happy and fullfilled one and thats got to be the best change of all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com