mantra | Photo by Zenobia Joy

Chris Stroud suggested that as part of the “six-month anniversary celebration” for We Live Simply (July 18th) I share what I’ve learned in the past six months.

It’s taken a little while to get it all in writing but here are some of the things I’ve learned personally about myself — and about others in this journey towards simplicity.

1. People like lists. I don’t know if it’s because they’re easier to read and follow or if they like having a check list to be sure they’re doing things right — but some of the most popular posts here have been those with check lists or how-to lists.
2. People like examples and stories. Our other most popular posts have been our Five questions with… series or posts where people can see a real example of how living simply works either through my life or the lives of others.
3. No story will be the same. While we may share similarities, we all have to find the path that works for us. We need to learn from each other, and take the great things from each other but find the path for ourselves — and offer grace and love to those who chose different paths. You can’t force your ideals on anyone else. When you learn to accept that, you’ll find the journey a lot more enjoyable for you and those around you.
4. Not everyone will be on board with your values or your decisions. Accept that your idea of living simply may not be your spouse’s ideas and their ideas may not be yours. The key is to live out your life the best way you know how and again offer grace and love when those ideas might collide.
5. Cutting back on what you own can bring great joy. My April Fool’s challenge was a great challenge at times but also brought relief – especially when we moved only a week or two after the challenge ended. Knowing there was less that I owned (aka that owned me) was a great relief as we made the move to our new home. Not only did it cut back what we had to pack and unpack but it helped cut down on bringing more clutter into our new home.
6. Taking inventory of your stuff is a daunting task. I think I managed to inventory about half my stuff before our move and I haven’t stopped to complete it since we moved. It’s now one of those daunting things I want to do, but continue to fear what I’ll find.
7. Living simply isn’t always the easiest choice. It’s so much easier to stop at the convenience store or a St. Arbucks to grab a coffee in the morning, than to take the time and brew my own at home. It’s so much easier to grab a hamburger for lunch than to plan out and pack my lunches in advance. It’s so much easier to veg out in front of a TV than it is to go outside in the heat and take a walk with your family. It’s so much easier to go with the flow than to challenge the system we know.
8. Simplicity takes practice. It’s not easy breaking habits you’ve lived out your entire life. It’s going to take practice and hard work to break yourself of old habits.
9. There’s no perfect solution to living simply. Going back to point three, everyone’s solution is going to be different and you can’t beat yourself up because you haven’t sold everything and traveled the world, or you haven’t given up your car so you can ride your bike to work everyday.
10. Simplicity happens one step & one day at a time. Just like life, we have to take things one day at a time. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Your best bet is to make gradual changes in your life and realize you’re always becoming — and you never simply arrive. Plus, gradual changes make it a lot easier on those around you as well .
11. Relationships are key. Living simply, just to live with less stuff can get really old, really quick. For me, improving and building relationships with others is one of the reasons I embarked on this journey. If you’re not living life with others, you’ll find your efforts devoid of joy and happiness. What fun is getting rid of all your toys just to sit in an apartment all by yourself?

So what have you learned over the past six months? Or what have you learned on your journey?

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