CHOOSING MY PERSPECTIVE
I think contentment and happiness both depend on our perspective. A friend shared an article with me recently about choosing what we focus on and the story we tell ourselves about our circumstances. It reminded me of the post I wrote many years ago about choosing our memories - we can choose to remember all the things we didn't receive, or we can put that aside and remember all the small joys that we experienced through childhood and into our adult years.
One of the biggest perspective choices I make is about how I see my small, quiet life....
FINDING CONTENTMENT IN THE SMALL THINGS
As I just mentioned, I live a very small, quiet, and simple life. And I feel like I have no big dreams, or goals, or bucket lists that need to be ticked off. I see others who are striving to continue working, to travel to exotic locations, to buy more, and be more.... and I'm happy for them. I want them to have what they want, but I find that these days I just want less.
I'm happy at home, I'm ecstatic to not be working, I have nowhere that's calling me to travel to, and I certainly don't want to buy more "stuff". I think my biggest focus is on feeling 'well' - I love feeling financially secure after decades of striving towards that goal. I love feeling physically well after the years of hip issues and chronic pain that led to my hip replacement a few years ago. I love having a home that feels warm and welcoming when I return to it. I love knowing I can do whatever I want when I want - that is such a gift in these trying times. I'm really happy with my small dreams.
It’s okay if you don’t have a big dream right now. Maybe your dream is to build a life that allows you to feel safe, calm, and rested. That’s a beautiful vision, too, and totally worth your time.
Tiny Buddah
LIVING A SIMPLE LIFE
I will admit to updating my phone last year (every five years or so seems to be my cycle there) and now and then something will catch my eye online and I'll get that little dopamine boost from buying it. But, these days my needs are small and most of them have already been met. It actually feels a little strange sometimes to not have anything I want for my birthday or for Christmas - and it makes me very difficult to buy for (just ask my poor husband!)
It's okay to repeat clothes; to use an old phone; to buy second hand items; to live in a simple home. It's okay to live a simple life.
Imperfectly Simple
LIVING A LIFE THAT FITS COMFORTABLY
A comfortable and happy life is different for each of us. We all have a Wishlist (even Taylor Swift has one that she's now singing about) ...but things seem easier for me these days because my wishes and dreams are small and feel achievable, they're focused on my loved ones and what I already have. At the same time, it's important to have things to look forward to, none of us want to completely stagnate, but it's also important to focus our attention on all the blessings already in our life - rather than on the things that someone else might have (or be doing) - let them enjoy their dreams without comparing, or wondering if we should have the same ones.... Let's just enjoy ours - even if those dreams seem small in comparison.
Envy, resentment, dissatisfaction, self-pity, judgementalism, and criticism all stem from wanting what others have, rather than being grateful for who we are and what we have. I'm so thankful that my small life is enough, that comfort and simplicity are high on my list of values, and that I'm not chasing someone else's dream. I'm not on Instagram following the influencers, I'm not selling my soul on social media, or creating a highlight reel - I'm just living my small, quiet life in my small, quiet way - and it's just delightful.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you focusing on what you have rather than on what others are doing? Are your dreams do-able or do they make you dissatisfied with where you are? Have you found that sweet spot of being content while you pursue whatever you'd like to do next?
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Great post, Leanne! Thank you! I am a minimalist in that I am happy with little things...and less! I don't like clutter and I prefer to enjoy the little things I have and experience every day!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing.
Hi Linda - I think enjoying minimalism is a gift as we get older. We accumulate less for our family to have to deal with down the track, and it's less for us to maintain and manage. I love my small, simple life where I'm surrounded by what I love. x
DeleteI like your idea of a small life. Too many times we think bigger is better and that just is not the case. A small life to me means a contented life. That is my goal as I downsize for my future. Smiles to you!
ReplyDeleteI have always been a minimalist, Leanne. I think so many times, before I buy anything. I keep asking myself, should I buy? Can I manage without buying it? I do have dreams. But I am not impatient to realise those dreams. And I am realistic as well regarding realising them. More than anything for me dreams are like a guide.
ReplyDelete