Putting the Simple Back In
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.
- Charles Mingus
One of the biggest challenges I have in my life is balancing the simple and the complex. I tend to oscillate back and forth between the two.
What usually happens is that I’ll have a period that’s simple for a while. I’ll have ample free time, even after spending a significant amount of time with my children. My finances are in good shape. Everything is good.
Because everything is flowing along so well, I get a desire to seek out new challenges. I’ll take on a few new things in my life – committee responsiblities, a work-related project, a new book, an increased social calendar, and so on.
And then things get more difficult.
I’ll start finding that I have less and less time to enjoy the things that most matter to me in life. I’ll be worn out in the evenings and have much less initiative to take care of things that need to be done. I’m less focused on my day to day choices and I become a lot more prone to spending extra money that I don’t need to spend. I feel more stress and less happiness.
My response is to start tossing stuff. I’ll schedule fewer social activities. I’ll not renew my commitment to a civic project that I’ve worked on for a while. I’ll put that partially finished manuscript somewhere else for a while (yes, I have two partially completed books that are just sitting there waiting to be finished). I’ll get back in control of my finances and revitalize my commitment to keeping organized.
Then, suddenly, I feel better again.
Here’s the amazing part: I would not do it any other way.
Why? My life improves when it is simple, but without adding complexity to it sometimes, I can’t discover new things in life and I can’t really keep in touch with what’s most important to me.
To me, a truly great simple life keeps you constantly in touch with what’s most important to you without drowning you in the things that are less important to you. The catch, of course, is that if you don’t expose yourself to new complexities sometimes, your life becomes a boring routine.
This “boring routine” is one of the things many people criticize and complain about when it comes to living simple or living cheap. They strip their lives of a lot of relatively unimportant things (a good move), but they don’t bother to continue to grow from there.
A simple life does not have to be a boring life.
A truly engaging and life-affirming simple life is one that constantly takes on new challenges and activities, but doesn’t object to tossing out some along the way, even things that have been with us for a long time but reflect a phase in our life that’s past.
A truly great simple life doesn’t try to “have it all,” but tries to have as much as we want of the things that really matter to us, above all else.
A simple life doesn’t waste time, money, energy, or resources on less important things when more important things are neglected and unused.
In the end, a simple life is one in which a person has spent a lot of time reflecting on what genuinely matters in that person’s life and what does not, and then doesn’t waste that life on the things that don’t matter.
And, with that, I’m going to go put on an old cowboy hat and a poncho and play “Jedi knights” with my son and daughter with lightsabers we made ourselves out of rolled-up newspaper. It might not be important and meaningful to anyone else in the world, but it’s important and meaningful to me (and probably to them, too). Why don’t you go do something that truly means something to you, too – and toss some of that less important stuff out on the curb while you’re at it?
Continue reading Putting the Simple Back In …
From The Simple Dollar.
Pretty Pedicure/Toiletries Kit Tutorial: {Sewing}
Today’s feature is from Pickup Some Creativity with this Pedicure Kit Tutorial:
This bag was a lot of fun to make, and would make a great toiletry kit, too. I made two of these bags, and learned a few things. So, some pictures are with one bag, and some are with the other. I hope that [...]
- Also See These Tips:
- Wallet Sized Sewing Kit – Free Tutorial
- Fabric Wallet Tutorial: {Sewing}
- Casual & Fun Foldover Bag: {Sewing Tutorial}
Continue reading Pretty Pedicure/Toiletries Kit Tutorial: {Sewing} …
From TipNut.com.
Stress Less And Get Stuff Done – Fuzzy Wuzzy Wednesday
If you’re like me, your daily to-do list keeps growing and growing, causing you stress and agitation. Instead of checking things off and feeling a sense of accomplishment, we keep adding to the list and getting frustrated because we can’t seem to complete any one task. Stress piles up, and at the end of the day, our to-do-list has collected it’s own cobwebs!
Here are some simple processes that I am finding help me get my to-do list working for me instead of against me to relieve stress, but equally as important, to get things done.
Two to-do lists – This process automatically shuts off that scattered feeling in my brain and makes me focus. I use two lists. On a small piece of paper, I write one task to get done and post it front and center. Then, on a separate piece of paper posted behind the first, I write everything I want to do today just to clear my head and keep track of my goals.
Now I can focus on the one item to get done without the distractions of all those other tasks staring me in the face. I don’t allow myself to peek at the second sheet of paper until the first task is completed. Once the first task is done, I toss the small piece of paper and move the next task onto a new piece of paper and tack it on top of the longer list.
Take short breaks between each task – Rather than move immediately into my next task, I take a short break. Even five minutes spent outside walking to the mailbox will lower stress hormones. Take five minutes and brew a cup of tea and nibble on a handful of nuts to boost your creativity even more.
A brief mental vacation from your tasks will boost your creativity and you’ll be much more prepared to tackle your next item on your to-do list.
Set deadlines for yourself – If your tasks don’t include a deadline, set one. Deadlines are great motivators for many of us. Adrenalin starts pumping, and you start producing results, which, in turn, produces those “feeling good” hormones.
When you allow a task to drag out endlessly, you may get to the end of the day and lose out on that sense of accomplishment. You also may lose sleep over an unfinished project, which is a vicious cycle to get caught up in.
Reward yourself for a job well done – We all need a little pat on the back when we do a good job. Promise yourself a treat when a task is completed. Plan for a special dinner or a day at the beach and mark your calender, shop for the ingredients, get out your bathing suit, and tease yourself with the reward you’ve chosen.
When a reservation at a nice restaurant is scribbled on the calendar, or your beach bag is packed and ready to go, you can bet you’ll get your task done before the moment arrives.
These are simple strategies, but they work surprisingly well. I hope you’ll give it a try and share your thoughts with me here. Have a great day and enjoy a productive week.
p.s. I found this nice To-Do List Notepad that I like for getting my tasks categorized and organized. Click on and take a look if you would and see if it may help you, too.
Continue reading Stress Less And Get Stuff Done – Fuzzy Wuzzy Wednesday …
From Hillbilly Housewife Blog.
Make Your Own Cards – Fun and Easy!
Make Your Own Cards – Fun and Easy!
Instead of giving out a store-bought card for the next special occasion, try your hand at making your own cards. Making your own cards does not require a lot of hard work, but rather a bit of creativity and the right materials.
To start creating your cards visit [...]
Continue reading Make Your Own Cards – Fun and Easy! …
From Frugal Simplicity.
Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget
Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget
You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy closet organizing systems to organize your own closet, but it does require taking an honest look at your belongings and your habits. With some creativity and some planning, you can create a closet that’s organized and easy to [...]
Continue reading Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget …
From Frugal Simplicity.
Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget
Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget
You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy closet organizing systems to organize your own closet, but it does require taking an honest look at your belongings and your habits. With some creativity and some planning, you can create a closet that’s organized and easy to [...]
Continue reading Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget …
From Frugal Simplicity.
Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget
Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget
You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy closet organizing systems to organize your own closet, but it does require taking an honest look at your belongings and your habits. With some creativity and some planning, you can create a closet that’s organized and easy to [...]
Continue reading Organize Your Closet on a Tight Budget …
From Frugal Simplicity.
Pause… Redesign
What needs to be in the room?
- A place to sleep
- A place for toys
- A place for clothes
Things to keep in mind:
- There are two little boys sleeping in there now. A baby will soon be added, but we have a pac-n-play that we could set up in our bedroom until he is ready to graduate to a big-boy bed.
- The toy collection expands and contracts. People give us stuff and we give stuff away. Nothing is set in stone, so the arrangement needs to be flexible. Also, I have found a potential spot for the largest toys, currently on the wall, in our bedroom.
Next week, I will pick up to five of my favorite submissions and you all can vote. The winner will recieve a $25 Amazon.com giftcard, puchased with swagbucks. (I may make my own submission and if mine wins, the runner-up will get the prize.) I will then resume Touring Tuesdays. When the tour is over, I will post pics of the new room.
You can either draw out your idea and email it to me me, or you can send me a written description, with product links if you want. Officials entires must be sent via email (under1000permonth@yahoo.com). If people have suggestions but not a whole entry, put them in the comments and someone else might win thanks to your great idea. There were also some great suggestions in the comments of the original post of My Boys’ Room.
You might want to check out my new comment policy .
Copyright Under $1000 Per Month, 2009-2010
Continue reading Pause… Redesign …
From Under $1000 Per Month.
Why Do You Love Star Trek So Much?
This is an answer to this question and is part of FAQ Fridays. If you have questions you would like answered, you can ask them on the FAQ page.
Question:
Why does your family love Star Trek so much? It is not a Christian program and in fact it strongly promotes a lot of non-Christian ideas, including the idea that women can be leaders and should not be submissive to men? Doesn’t this go against your life views? Don’t you think it will influence your children in a way that is undesirable to you?
Answer:
There are many parts of this question to address, so I’m going to take it one at a time.
Why does your family love Star Trek so much?
Because it is awesome! If you haven’t seen it, you can watch original episodes on YouTube and on cbs.com. The newer series’ DVDs are going down in price and our collection is slowly growing.
It is the most witty, entertaining and thought provoking show that either my husband or I have ever seen, and we both grew up with cable. My husband has a saying, “Even the worst episode of Star Trek is better than the best episode of anything else.” I whole-heartedly agree. We even love some of the fan series, also on YouTube.
Star Trek has something for everyone. My husband is a student of human nature, history and politics. He loves the interweaving stories of how different worlds are incorporated into the Federation and how other worlds fight against it. He loves the rebel Marquis fighters and the creativity that came when new planets were explored in “Voyager.”
I am a science geek myself. I find warp theory fascinating and my heart beats a litte faster when something goes wrong and I again get a further glimpse into how those engines run. I am intrigued by new species and the challenges Neelix faces in preparing foods for many different races. Looking at issues in genetic modifaction today verses in the “future” provides an interesting study of its own.
This stuff is so fascinating, and fun to think about. It is fun that my husband and I have something we both love and enjoy and discuss in depth. It enhances our marraige and our friendship. I am relatively new to Star Trek and am seeing many epsiodes now for the first time. He has been watching Star Trek his whole life. For each of our children, their first TV experience was Star Trek, and my husband can tell you which episode each child saw shortly after they were born.
It is not a Christian program and in fact it strongly promotes a lot of non-Christian ideas, including the idea that women can be leaders and should not be submissive to men?
The Bible does not say that women cannot lead, nor does it say that women have to be submissive to men in general. The Bible says women are to submit to their husbands. I don’t have to submit to your husband, my father, my brother, or any other man besides my husband, who I chose to marry because I love him and trust his judgement.
As far as women being leaders, the Bible is clear that women should not be in authority over men in the church. I, as a Christian woman, have no desire to have authority over men in any capacity. However, in the Bible Deborah, was a military leader because no man would stand up to the challenge. The Bible was pro-woman in a shocking way for thousands of years. It is only recently when new standards for women have rapidly emerged that the Bible is looked on as anti-woman. The idea of a husband loving his wife as Christ loves the church is more pro-woman than the philosophies of any other major world religion, and that was written thousands of years ago. For me, that command to my husband fulfills the desires of my heart as his wife, and is as pro-woman as you can get.
Doesn’t this go against your life views?
Some of what is portrayed in Star Trek does go against our life views. Some of what is portrayed in Veggie Tales goes against our life views as well. It would be impossible to find a TV show that we agreed with 100%. Some Christians decide not to watch any TV because of this. Agreeing 100% isn’t our standard for TV, movies, friends, a church, or books.
We choose to watch TV but think through what we watch. Dan and I talk about everything we watch. We discuss what was hilarious, what was accurate, what got us curious for more. If a Christian is not willing to think through what they are watching, they may need to abstain from watching TV, but there is no reason that those who are willing to put in the work of discernment should abstain as well.
Don’t you think it will influence your children in a way that is undesirable to you?
It is possible that our children may think the world of Star Trek is real, but we are planning on teaching them the difference between what is imagined and what is real. Star Trek is a great way to get them thinking about imaginary worlds, possibilities, new ways of thinking and other peoples’ points of view. In our opinon, that is a good thing for children.
Continue reading Why Do You Love Star Trek So Much? …
From Under $1000 Per Month.
Last Minute Gift Ideas Don’t Have To Carry An Impulse Shopping Price – Frugal Challenge
I know there are always going to be a few last minute gift items, but does that mean you have to run around picking up over-priced items, those little trinkets that are marketed to the impulse shopper?
Not if you’re clever. Having a bit of creativity can go a long way to saving a lot of money when it comes to this kind of last minute gift.
One of my favorite gifts to give is a gift of homemade bath goodies, like bath salts and scrubs. A nice little website called MyBeautyRecipes.com is loaded with simple bath treats that you can make easily with inexpensive ingredients. Whip up a couple batches of Homemade Bath Salts, put them in a cute little jar, and voila! You have an instant and inexpensive gift that will be appreciated.
You can even make your own Homemade Lip Balm out of fresh ingredients. Most every girl I know LOVES her lip balm, so this could be a great personal gift for a little girl, or even a big girl, who’s special to you.
Guys on your list may be a little more difficult. But, what guy doesn’t like a little cooling foot spray? If your guy or a guy you know goes to the gym or plays sports, mix up a batch of Peppermint Foot Spray. It’s not “girlie” smelling and it works!
These are just a couple of thoughts that I’ve come up with during some of my last minute gift searches. I hope you’ll also find something fun and frugal to make for some of your favorite people.
p.s. If your special someone isn’t especially fond of bath items, you can always put this same idea to work only with food items. Just click here to learn more about how to put together some easy, inexpensive, but yummy gifts.
Continue reading Last Minute Gift Ideas Don’t Have To Carry An Impulse Shopping Price – Frugal Challenge …
From Hillbilly Housewife Blog.