Over the last few days I’ve been feverishly reading this wonderful book. We’ve had it for quite some time and while I’ve flicked through it and read bits and pieces here and there, this is the first time I sat down to really read it properly. Now that I’ve started, I can’t put it down. I’m almost finished it now, and it’s made me feel so inspired!
If you’ve ever read our about us page, or even just the little blurb about us in the left column, you’ll know we hope to live a “simple, mindful, beautiful life”. Of course, “simple living” is one of those ambiguous terms that can mean just about anything, but reading Down To Earth has made me stop and think about what that really means to me. As Reuben and I approach a new chapter in our lives, I think this is the perfect time to stop, take stock of our current situation and make changes. In the first chapter of Down To Earth, A Guide to Simple Living, author Rhonda recommends thinking about how you want to live and writing a list of all your ideas. She suggests then writing a list of the actions you need to take in order to make those ideas a reality (I think no matter what your goals in life, be they “simple” or not, this is a great little exercise for formulating an action plan.) Today I thought I’d share my lists with you. Perhaps making these goals public will make me less inclined to slack off!
In my life I want…
- To do work that enriches my life, reflects my passions and motivates me to get up in the morning.
- To nurture my relationships with the people I love and spend plenty of quality time with my friends and family.
- To be generous and compassionate and help others in need wherever possible.
- To travel the world and experience a variety of cultures.
- To live in a way that is environmentally sustainable, and have a minimal impact on the earth.
- To create a warm home for our little family that is comfortable, beautiful and ours.
- To build a secure financial future for ourselves and our future children.
- To make a rich, fullfilling life for myself that isn’t centred around the accumulation of material possessions.
- To be surrounded by things that are either practical, meaningful or beautiful, without clutter.
- To feel contentment that occassionally explodes into happiness (I lifted this one straight from Rhonda’s list. I really couldn’t have said it better myself!)
In the last year or so, Reuben and I have taken many steps and made small changes to our lifestyle to facilitate these desires. We left Sydney where the cost of living was unsustainable for us, and we’d never be able to afford to buy our own home. We cut back on shopping at regular retail stores and got more serious about being thrifty. We also got rid of TV. While we were living in Sydney we had pay TV which cost us money, made us more inclined to laze around at home and constantly bombarded us with advertising for stuff we didn’t need. Though we still watch television shows on DVD and online, we now only watch programs we are really interested in, when we want to, and we are no longer blasted with ads. I stopped reading fashion magazines for similar reasons. Though I still read magazines like Frankie, Mollie Makes and Peppermint I now only read magazines that inspire and motivate me, not ones that just tell me to spend, spend, spend! (I think I need to apply this strategy to the blogs I read too…) We’ve reduced our clutter and have thrown out a lot of stuff we no longer needed or loved. We’ve also really focused on paying off our debt. I accumulated a little bit of credit card debt way back in uni, and when we were living in Sydney we never managed to pay it off because our expenses were so high (and we were always buying more stuff!) but since cutting back we have managed to completely pay that debt off.
Though we’ve made some changes there are lots more things we can do to simplify more, realise our goals faster and build the life we want. Some of these actions include:
- Starting a little business (This has been a dream of mine for such a long time and I feel like now is finally the right time to make that happen. Yes!)
- Starting a savings account for a home deposit and travel, and making regular contributions (This will be much more achievable for us when we move in with my mum.)
- Cooking from scratch more (Sadly, since moving to this little house with it’s horrible, pokey kitchen we’ve become rather slack about cooking. Takeaway and convenience foods are expensive, unhealthy and nowhere near as satisfying as a lovely homemade meal. I’m really looking forward to getting back into cooking once we’ve moved.)
- Growing some of our own food (We plan to set up a little veggie patch at the end of mum’s garden and we are very excited about it!)
- Using homemade, green cleaners (Rhonda’s recipes for homemade cleaners work out to be much cheaper than the stuff we currently buy, plus they don’t contain nasty chemicals so they are better for the environment and our bodies.)
- Getting more organised and paying bills on time to avoid late fees (I’m generally disorganised and pretty hopeless when it comes to remembering to pay bills. Obviously I need to work on that!)
- Riding our bikes and walking more (We often drive to places that we could ride or walk to instead. Riding/walking would be better for the environment, our health and our fuel bills.)
- Thinking carefully about non-essential purchases and only buying items we truly love and will want in our lives long term. This includes clothes, furniture and vintage knick-knacks. (Like most people I want to have nice things, but I’d much rather be surrounded by beautiful, good quality “investment pieces”, rather than trend-based items and fast fashion. I am slowly getting better with this!)
- Having regular spring cleans, decluttering often and donating the things we don’t need (We are actually pretty good at this already, but there is always room for improvement.)
I’m sure there are more little changes we can make, and this list will continue to grow and evolve as we work towards our goals.
I hope that sharing all this here with you will help hold me accountable. I am feeling very inspired and motivated right now, but I know from past experience those feelings don’t always last forever, so it’s nice to have things written down. It feels good to make plans and feel like we are actually doing something! Oh and if you are interested in simple living, I cannot recommend Rhonda’s book and blog enough. This lady knows her stuff!
Have you got any suggestions for goal setting? Or for simplifying? What are you working towards right now? I’d love if you’d share your thoughts!
I know this post is all about you and your wonderful goals, but it has actually at the same time made me feel all warm and happy. We think and talk a lot about the tyoe of life we want for our family and for ourselves and I think our lists are very similar and I feel like we are really living the type of life we intend to.
Thank you so much for reminding me.
And I hope you feel the same. xx
Oh Kate, thank you so much for your lovely comment! And hearing that you share similar goals makes me quite sure we are on the right track! Your family, farm and lifestyle are such a huge inspiration to us. Reubs and I aren’t quite living the life we intend to yet, but we are making progress. I know we’ll get there eventually! In the meantime I am doing my best to be patient and appreciate all that we do have now
I really love this post, and I’ve been writing my own list like this mentally for some time now. I guess I should probably write it down, so I’ll actually stick to it. I’m going to add this book to my Christmas wishlist, it sounds wonderful. As always your honest, and well written posts have inspired me.
Thank you Bekuh! I had some vague lists floating around in my head for ages, but I found writing them down really clarified things for me. I really recommend it! x
I cannot thank you enough for this post, I have sat and read through Rhonda’s blog for hours – it is so inspiring
I wish we were able to get the book in the UK in looks like a fabulous read.
Good luck with your goals they are all great x
Isn’t it ever inspiring?! And she has a huge archive, so enough to keep you reading for days! So glad I could introduce you to Down to Earth’s wisdom
This is an amazing post!
It always amazes me how much we are roped into consumerism. We cancelled our tv (but we get basic channels which defeats the purpose) but we get calls constantly even daily about signing back up. Its so frustrating.
Where we live is so expensive so its so hard to get ahead and we wont for so long cause we need to stay here to go to school.
But I am def going to look into this book.
Oh Larissa, I know all about the struggle to get ahead. It’s really is tough out there! But the really, really wonderful news is that while we are young we still have great big futures ahead of us. If we make good choices now, we’ll be setting ourselves up for life. If you can’t get hold of Rhonda’s book I highly recommend her blog. You’ll find so much wisdom there! x
Hi,
I started simplifying my life about almost one year ago and I can tell you that it was the best thing to do EVER! My life improved so so much!
My life goals are very similar to the ones you wrote. I can only which you good luck and hope that you can accomplish those goals
Thank you for sharing the book and the blog.
I think your list of goals are amazing! I too am all for living a simple, beautiful and mindful life.
I don’t believe in consumerism and the push that society makes us think that we need to buy things to fulfill our happiness. Happiness in my opinion is found in the beauty of the simple things of the everyday. Thrifting too is an awesome way to bring joy, save money, recycle and give love to old forgotten things.
I was happy to read your post about not having a television! My boyfriend and I have been without a Television and cable for over 3 years now! I have to say it has made our relationship so much better and is so nice not to be bombarded with advertising, and ugly shows like reality TV full of comparison and negativity. We do have a TV now but ONLY for watching our favorite movies, and connecting our laptop to to watch documentaries and such of our choosing, just like you guys.
I’ve come to really love all of the Nature episodes on pbs,org, they are free and they are my favorite!
I totally agree with getting rid of clutter and creating a beautiful space that is your own personal sanctuary. I’m really into the eastern philosophy of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement and I have to say, clearing clutter and following the principles really makes a big difference! This weekend I hope to declutter more of our home with the new season here.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful list of goals, you two really are an inspiration to us all!
xo Felicia
Oh, I love doing a big clean up every few months and the start of a new season is the perfect time for it! It always feels really good to donate things we no longer need and throw rubbishy things away. It’s amazing how quickly stuff like piles of paperwork build up and take over! x
Oh, your post is really inspiring, thank you. I want to clean out our wretched basement now and get rid of the unnecessaries. Much better to take action than to just think about it! Oh, and I loved the mention of your “future children.” You will be wonderful parents, both of you.
And you’re doing your future wee ones a huge favor by chucking the TV. We ditched ours years ago when our kids became a little too enamored of it–and we haven’t looked back!
Oh, you are so kind Bekah. I HOPE we will be wonderful parents!
I read her blog and I always feel so inspired by her, too!
I think you are on the right track. Loved seeing all of your specifics. I wish I had been so intentional when I was in my 20s, instead of rather blindly swallowing all the cultural messages I got about how life is supposed to be lived. But as George Elliot said, “It’s never to late to be what you might have been.” This post is inspiring even to a mid-lifer like me!
Thank you very much Rita! And that is a fantastic quote. How right it is! x
Your post was shared on the Down To Earth facebook page today
I love your list and can’t wait to read all about your journey through it.
Would love to see you over at Rhondas forum http://downtoearthforums.com/
Now I’m off to have a look through your archives
Thanks so much Becci!!
I applaud you on you plan to simplicity, you certainly “struck a chord” with me! I’m in the process of making little changes to achieve a simpler life, and am looking forward to eating food grow in my garden. It’s a an exciting and rewarding journey, and I look forward to reading about your journey in the future.
Wow, what an excellent post! As I was reading through each of your goals, I found myself nodding and smiling.
I think you’ve created a really wholesome plan here for a rewarding lifestyle. It’s something that I strive for as well, and now I am even more inspired. I think I will have to chase down that book!
Good luck with your goals and plans
Hello Katie! A little bird told me you’d written this post. I keep forgetting my favourite blogs so I’ve just added you to my reader. I’ll be in more frequently to keep an eye on you, young lady. Seriously though, it does my heart good to see young people with the aspirations you and Reuben have and the energy and will to work on those aspirations. Good luck with your list, it’s a real beauty. I send my best wishes to you both and I hope you drop in on us when you’re up here visiting. When I met Reuben I think he told me he has family up here.
xx
Rhonda! Thank you so much for stopping by! Of course we would absolutely love to see you while we are in QLD. I will email you! xo
I actually bought this book a while ago after you mentioned it, and while we haven’t progressed into a simpiler life like yourselves it’s helped a great deal especially when it comes to dealing with clutter and pointless possessions. Also buying locally from farmers markets and stalls has been very fulfilling! I look forward to your little shop!!!!
Jenn.
I’ve very recently set myself one BIG goal….it will take me a while to reach and is quite a big decision, so I plan to sit on it for a few months before deciding if it is really what I want…
I really enjoyed this post Katie, I am going to make a list later tonight, your post has really inspired me. Whilst we live fairly simply already, I always think there is room for improvement too.
Thank-you for sharing your wonderful, inspiring thoughts. I am off to check out the blog, and will have to see if our local library has the book…
Take care,
Sarah xxo
I really loved reading your post Katie as I saw this book for the first time in the ABC shop while I was down in Sydney earlier this year. I should have bought it then and there but money was a little tight, so thought about it for another time. I had thought about this book quite a few times over the past months and when I read your post, I thought that’s it and immediately placed a hold on it at our local library and went and picked it up this afternoon. I can’t wait to read it (have already read a few pages) and be equally inspired as you to make some changes to mine and David’s life that we have both been thinking about for some time now especially over the past week so the timing of your post could not be more perfect. I love your list too and can’t wait to do mine x
I would love to hear you thoughts on Rhonda’s book once you’re done. I hope you find it as helpful as I have! Good luck with the list writing – I actually really enjoyed writing mine! x
Thanks for your post Katie! You know it is nice to know you aren’t perfect either
. I do enjoy your blog very much.
I had Rhonda’s book out from the library recently (I almost always borrow before I decide to buy, that way I only spend money on what I know I want to add to my own reference library). I didn’t get all the way through it though, as there are quite a lot of holds on it. I plan to either borrow it again, or put it on my Christmas wish list.
Thankfully we have always lived a fairly simple life, not purchasing items until we can afford to pay cash for something of quality (we had fabric covered cardboard boxes as bedside tables for many, many years). Though not quite as self sufficient and ‘from scratch’ as Rhonda.
In terms of goals – I am doing a Permaculture Design Course right now (which is why I haven’t blogged for a couple of months http://www.ravsrecreations.blogspot.com) and have just applied to start a Grad Dip Ed next year with a career change in mind. This will also give us more scope in terms of where to live, as my profession is limited to only a very few capital cities in Australia.
You have written a great list. Keep inspiring us.
Ravs
Gosh Ravs, I am SO far from perfect! It was funny to hear you used cardobard boxes as bedside tables because for a few years while we were in uni we used cardoboard boxes covered in fabric as a TV cabinet! Haha! It’s nice to know we aren’t the only ones. Your permaculture course sounds amazing – permaculture is defininitely something Reubs and I need to learn more about
I really love this post. My boyfriend and I have recently decided that we will be moving in the next year which means we need to start cutting back, selling belongings and live a more simple life. I think that I will be getting that book, and possibly doing a similar post. Thanks for the inspiration!
Good for you!I’ve been feeling the same urge, have a peak at wholelarderlove.com for someone truely inspiring living simple (with beautiful photos).
Good luck on your journey, can’t wait to hear about it!
P.s. how good are long dog walks for life planning conversations?!
Oh, we LOVE Whole Larder Love! We desperately need to get our little paws on the book!
Gorgeous post
I have been following Rhonda’s blog for a couple of years (my mum put me onto her) and her information is just gold. Making your own cleaning and laundry products is great too, I hope you experiment with that.
Hello Katie, this is a good post. I am trying to simplify too! I like your blog, pleased to meet you, Heather.p.s. I came here from je suis une monster
Thank you so much for this post! I used to live a much simpler life on the prairies of Canada, but since moving to the west coast, it feels like the lifestyle here is not very simple and it’s incredibly hard to live simply. So every once in a while, I need that reminder of how to do that! You’ve inspired me to try and work towards living that way once again!