8 June 2015

A guide to simple living

Thank you all for the good wishes and prayers sent yesterday. My high temperature didn't rise or turn into anything worse. I started feeling better and things only improved after that. It's lovely to have friends who drop by and share their concerns. Thank you for taking the time to send a message or write a comment. Even though we're sometimes a world away from each other, this community is always a close and caring one.



As most of you know, I'm coming to the end of my book writing and have just started on the last chapter. It's been an intense period of sitting at my desk all day, almost every day for the past five months. I have only baked a couple of loaves of bread during that time and I haven't done much pickling or preserving either, but almost all the other culinary tasks I carry out have been done in between paragraphs or when I needed to get off the computer and think something over.



Soap and laundry liquid have been made, I cook from scratch every day and I enjoy time well spent in the garden with Jamie. Hanno has been a great help with washing up, grocery shopping, peeling vegetables and doing whatever I ask of him. But it is this life itself - simple life, that has help us through these busy months. If we weren't living slow and simple, I doubt I would have attempted another book, and I know I wouldn't have been able to do it in that timeframe. I sometimes hear people say that as soon as they get busy, they don't have time for simple living. I feel the opposite, it is because we live simply that I can cope so well with the busy and frantic times.


Simple life builds reliability and organisation into every day, it makes people who live this way resilient and strong. It does seem like more work and often it is but the work itself is its own safeguard. Our bills are paid on time because we've organised our money and created a budget, we have a stockpile of food on hand so we don't have to shop every week, we're healthy because we're eating from scratch and have rid our home of harsh chemicals, menus are planned, work is driven by easy routines, we're relaxed and accepting of everyday life. We know where we're headed.


I'm not sure if I would have been able to commit intellectually or psychologically to such a rigorous writing timeframe if I was living as I used to. But since I slowed down and came to understand myself a whole lot more, I knew I had the strength to do it, a family who would support me and a way of life that would help me cope with not only this, but anything that came my way.  This life has made me much stronger than I used to be, and that has given me the confidence to say yes to so many things that have enriched my soul.


And so to those who think you can only do all those simple life things when you have the time to do them, I encourage you to dive right in and just do it. Don't underestimate simple life, or yourself. You'll be surprised what a great support it becomes around you - from the practical things like a food stockpile to feed you when you can't buy what you need, and routines that help you get through your work, to the strength you need to move forward with confidence when things look shaky. Instead of thinking you can't have the life you want, just start doing things that will sustain you. Stop mindless shopping, create a budget, work in your home, develop a generous and kind attitude, let this new life create itself around you and then rely on it. It may not look like anyone else's life but that's fine. Genuine simplicity is a unique, flexible and moveable feast.

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28 comments

  1. Glad to hear that you are on the mend Rhonda and I am eagerly awaiting the release of your new book xx

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  2. We had a hard time planting our small garden this year (Late Spring in the USA) due to a number of circumstances but it is now planted. People have asked why we didn't give up but my husband is retired and this is the way we have organic veggies. It is also quite wonderful in Summer to walk out and enjoy the garden. I love this way of life even if it is more work than going to a store. What we save in costs also. Enables me to have a little extra to purchase items from the Farmer's Market such as raw honey. Love your blog still after all these years.

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  3. So glad to hear you are feeling better. The book writing will be finished soon and you can get back to your normal everyday life.

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  4. I'm so glad you're feeling better. You have a way with words that is enviable. Such a gift. It's good to see you use your gift to help others. Stay safe.

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  5. Looking forward to your new book coming out! :) Glad to hear you are feeling better. I have been slightly distracted from living the simple life but I am feeling that I am ready to get to working toward my goal to LIVE SIMPLY! :)

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  6. I am happy to read you are feeling better Rhonda. I am working toward re-building the reliability and organisation that you write about into my life now that my circumstances have again changed. I really like your point about the work we do at home being a safeguard.

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  7. Glad you're on the mend. I am looking forward to your new book. We don't have a simple life yet, but your blog , which I have been reading for years now has changed my outlook on life, and elements of simplicity are happening. Thank you.

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  8. Pleased you're feeling better today Rhonda. I agree wholeheartedly about the benefits to be had from living a simple life and this has never been truer for me than the last few days. Late last week I slipped off a ladder and hurt my back rather badly. Friends came to help, but they can't be here all the time, so my stockpile which includes cat food and litter, and chook food, plus meals cooked and in the freezer saved me. I have the dog's meals frozen into daily rations as well, so it was just a matter of pulling something out for both of us in the morning ready for evening. I picked a handful of fresh greens to go with whatever came out of the freezer when I shuffled up the yard to see to the chooks. I'm not sure how I would've managed if I'd had to think about getting to the shops to keep us all fed, I don't think I could've just relaxed and taken it easy as I did if I my life wasn't organised and simple.


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    1. I'm sorry you're injured, Nanette. It's good you've got your simple safeguards in place. We both know you'll survive nicely with them until you heal. Take care, love. xx

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    2. Thanks for your good wishes Rhonda. It's true, having this simple life set up and running makes being hurt or ill a much easier place to be.

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  9. Hi Rhonda
    Thankyou for always writing , it is such an encouragement to us.When things get overwhelming I always return to my simple life and home and it gets better.Your blog is inspirational.good luck with the end of your writing.We appreciate you.Linda

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  10. Glad you are on the mend Ronda...there is nothing worse than not feeling your best. Question....what are you doing with the Apple Cider Vinegar in the 2nd last photo?

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    1. Making more vinegar, Gail. I've blogged about making vinegar. xx

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  11. "to those who think you can only do all those simple life things when you have the time to do them" exactly! My headless chicken days actually removed time from the day, these days I actually do so much more and I have more time than I did during the mayhem.

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  12. Glad you are feeling better. I've just bottled my lemon vinegar last week and hope to make it from scratch when the warmer months arrive. I noticed last week, when making up my shopping list, that I'll have to either stop buying things for the stockpile or start shifting canned/jarred goodies to an unused cupboard in the laundry outside. Lol, I think I'll used the laundry cupboard as I'm still unsure if my casual hours will be cut in the future and I'd like to continue eating! Mapping out where the frost doesn't reach and how many hours of sun at the front/back of the house for future planting as it's my first Winter here and I'm itching to grow more than pumpkins, aloe and a bay tree. Thankful for 3 varied citrus trees on the place I rent though :).
    Stay well and happy.

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  13. Glad you are feeling better...also happy you'll soon be back to your simple life and not just writing about it!
    I'm happiest when I have time to do my home chores at my own pace, too..

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  14. I am pleased to hear you are recovering, Rhonda. Not long to go now till you can slip back into your daily routine. You will be very relieved and we will all be happy reading the fruits of your labour :-)

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  15. g'day
    glad you are feeling much better, didn't see yesterdays post til today, have been leaving my pc off most mornings now opting to do knitting instead, feels so much better too.
    lovely post as usual but be sure to take care of yourself while writing, i know how it is when you sit & get stuck into something, we forget to get up & drink & eat.
    thanx for sharing
    selina from kilkivan qld

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  16. I missed yesterday's post too - glad to hear you've recovered!

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  17. I know what you mean Rhonda, I think the unsimple life is more stressful! Making your own and living cheap is easier :) Glad you have recovered. Book writing is hard work!

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  18. Glad to hear you are feeling better! You always say the things I think-the way I wish I could say them! I hope that made sense! :)

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  19. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Although we are many, many miles away, I do have the feeling to be connected with you. You are such a great example for me and many others, just like a mother teaching there children. Still love your way of 'teaching', still love to read your loving posts, your book on my shelve. Thank you Rhonda. God bless you and your family and friends X

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  20. I read that post three times - I just love it when you talk about simple living from a birds-eye view.

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  21. Wonderful writing, well said. You explain it all so well and show others that it is doable. I also like how you emphasize that it will look and be different for each of us. Each one of us is different and each of our simple lives will be as individual as we are.

    Glad you are feeling better! Darlene

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  22. Happy to hear you are feeling better. Time is what we make it - but I agree, the less complicated things are the more we actually get done because there isn't all that clutter to maneuver around.

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  23. What encouragement. I came here to get tips and I needed to be told to just START. Anywhere! Thanks.

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  24. So glad to hear your feeling better Rhonda. Thank you for your wise words. I'm starting to feel like this simple life is seeping into my bones. Collecting firewood and greens for dinner whilst taking a break from work at the computer are things I only once dreamed of.
    kx

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  25. Glad you are on the mend. Your beautiful book arrived today courtesy of fishpond & will become a wonderful resource. I'm off for a soap making workshop on the weekend & diving deep into simplicity & sustainability. Take care x

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