I feel like with the spring weather and rebirth of the leaves and flowers it is time to check in on myself and the goals I set for myself at the end of 2015. It has been several months since I felt that pull on my heart to simplify my life and I am so glad that I followed that pull without fear. So much has changed and much of it is things I had not anticipated coming from this journey (I kind of just thought I’d get a cleaner house and maybe a more relaxed mind). I have spent the last few months cleaning and clearing and purging much of my home (and honestly there is still so much to do - this is an ongoing process especially with three little ones). I have been working to reduce and I am also slowly replacing many of my old, worn and to be frank - cheaply made - items with beautiful, long-lasting items made of natural materials such a wood, linen, and leather. I have taken pride in my home, always working to make it simple but beautiful, and in the process I have discovered how wonderfully my children have responded to less.
To further my process of simplification, I have greatly reduced the TV (and other screen time) in my home. I often kept the TV on for background noise and light but realized that all it was really doing was keeping my mind (and my children's minds) racing and preoccupied. As were all the toys my kids had available to them and were too overwhelmed with to actually engage in deep, meaningful play. So, I’ve put a bigger emphasis on reading, on free play especially outside using natural materials, on hand work such as weaving and knitting, on art and on helping with chores around the house. To be clear, these were all things that were happening and our home was never one where the kids played video games or had an Ipad or so many toys you couldn’t see the floor and yet I knew that the change on emphasizing the simple joys and pleasures of life had to extend to my kids beyond what I was already doing. During the process, I also read a truly amazing book that really helped me understand the reason why I had to do this for my family; if you are interested it’s called “Simplicity Parenting” by Kim John Payne and I swear it is changing my family’s life. I’ve seen such a huge difference in my four year old it’s almost unbelievable. It’s almost as if she’s forgotten that TV exists. She doesn’t ask for it and from the minute she wakes up until bedtime she’s basically engaged (deeply engaged) in playing. She uses her imagination like no child I’ve ever seen and she’s listening to us more and she’s learning more than ever! My oldest is still dealing with the change with a bit of resistance but those moments don’t last long because she’s off in about two minutes drawing the most amazing pictures in her sketch books or finger knitting a bracelet or scarf. My mama heart is overflowing watching my children enjoy life the way I believe God intended for us to enjoy.
Though I feel changed and fully grateful for this spiritual awakening, I also know that I have work to do, as we all have continued work to do to improve ourselves and become our true selves. I still struggle with living intentionally and I still reach for my phone, just to “check quick” for any messages or updates, more than I’d like or wish to admit. And my next big goal on this journey- and the most difficult one- will be to simplify my food. To eat less, eat whole foods in their nature state that come from the Earth, provided for us by God. This will be extremely difficult for me as I tend to bury my stress in food (the worst kinds of foods of course), an unfortunate side-effect of my childhood. We all have our crosses to bear and this is definitely one of mine. But, I’ve also come to know that we are given these crosses as a way to teach us to call on God more, to ask for his help and to trust in his plan. So, as I look over all the amazing results of this journey so far I know God has so much more in store for me even if it won’t necessarily be easy for me to do.
To further my process of simplification, I have greatly reduced the TV (and other screen time) in my home. I often kept the TV on for background noise and light but realized that all it was really doing was keeping my mind (and my children's minds) racing and preoccupied. As were all the toys my kids had available to them and were too overwhelmed with to actually engage in deep, meaningful play. So, I’ve put a bigger emphasis on reading, on free play especially outside using natural materials, on hand work such as weaving and knitting, on art and on helping with chores around the house. To be clear, these were all things that were happening and our home was never one where the kids played video games or had an Ipad or so many toys you couldn’t see the floor and yet I knew that the change on emphasizing the simple joys and pleasures of life had to extend to my kids beyond what I was already doing. During the process, I also read a truly amazing book that really helped me understand the reason why I had to do this for my family; if you are interested it’s called “Simplicity Parenting” by Kim John Payne and I swear it is changing my family’s life. I’ve seen such a huge difference in my four year old it’s almost unbelievable. It’s almost as if she’s forgotten that TV exists. She doesn’t ask for it and from the minute she wakes up until bedtime she’s basically engaged (deeply engaged) in playing. She uses her imagination like no child I’ve ever seen and she’s listening to us more and she’s learning more than ever! My oldest is still dealing with the change with a bit of resistance but those moments don’t last long because she’s off in about two minutes drawing the most amazing pictures in her sketch books or finger knitting a bracelet or scarf. My mama heart is overflowing watching my children enjoy life the way I believe God intended for us to enjoy.
Though I feel changed and fully grateful for this spiritual awakening, I also know that I have work to do, as we all have continued work to do to improve ourselves and become our true selves. I still struggle with living intentionally and I still reach for my phone, just to “check quick” for any messages or updates, more than I’d like or wish to admit. And my next big goal on this journey- and the most difficult one- will be to simplify my food. To eat less, eat whole foods in their nature state that come from the Earth, provided for us by God. This will be extremely difficult for me as I tend to bury my stress in food (the worst kinds of foods of course), an unfortunate side-effect of my childhood. We all have our crosses to bear and this is definitely one of mine. But, I’ve also come to know that we are given these crosses as a way to teach us to call on God more, to ask for his help and to trust in his plan. So, as I look over all the amazing results of this journey so far I know God has so much more in store for me even if it won’t necessarily be easy for me to do.