Before making any big life changes, I always think it’s a good idea to have a strong why. Your whys are the reasons driving the changes. Often, the stronger the why, the more you connect with it. The more you connect with your why, the more likely you are to succeed at making the change. So, as I’m setting out on my minimalism and simple living journey, it’s about time I shared my why. For me, it sums up wanting so much MORE from life.
Like many people, there is so much MORE I want. It’s human nature. But, unlike a segment of the population who thinks of “more” as more square footage to their home, more vacations, more money, more things, etc, the “more” I’m looking for is of the simpler variety. More time, more connection to nature, more depth to relationships, and (pun intended) more.
Here’s a not-so-organized brain dump of sorts of what I want MORE of in my life. Note the absence of more stuff. I’ll add to this list periodically as I journey towards a simpler, more minimalistic life and discover more of what I want.
Connection
More movie nights with the kids, where I’m actually watching the movie with them instead of multitasking.
More coffee dates with friends, where I’m not distracted by an overwhelming to-do list running through my mind.
More quality time with our aging neighbors.
More consciousness and presence around others, especially with my closest relationships with my partner, children, and friends.
More love.
More reading together as a family, either reading aloud or silently together (bonus if it involves a hammock).
More simple moments of togetherness.
More volunteer work that impacts our local schools and community in positive ways.
More fun, especially with our children.
More emotional connection.
More hosting friends and family.
More playdates for the kids and small-town adventures with their friends.
More relationship repair.
Food
More fresh-baked bread and scratch baking.
More time spent cultivating the garden and growing the fruits and vegetables we eat.
More focus on local food supply and food systems, shopping local as much as possible.
More homemade food products (ie, swapping the Hidden Valley Ranch for a homemade version).
More family recipes and the stories that come with them.
More whole ingredients.
More hunting for the perfect, home-brewed cup of coffee.
More simplicity in cooking regularly.
More meals crafted at home.
More cooking with our children and teaching them the basics.
Creativity
More handmade art on our walls.
More space to explore creative endeavors, whether it’s supplies and a wide open door to create for our kids, or cultivating ideas for how to live differently within our values.
More exploration of new to us hobbies and skills (like knitting, sewing, foraging, painting, herbalism, etc).
More time spent restoring and repairing our home, creatively repurposing second-hand materials and found items.
More cultivation of our children’s creativity.
More thrifting of open-ended craft supplies like paint and yarn.
Home
More organization and the ability to find exactly what we want or need without extensive searches.
More items that matter, including making space for family heirlooms or pieces with a story.
More of a use it up and wear it out mentality.
More calmness in cleaning up, tidying, and morning/bedtime routines.
More leisure time and boredom at home.
More intention and purpose within each space of our home.
More reliance on routines, habits, and stacking them to make new habits stick.
More puzzles.
More curation of the items that are in our home, paring down to our favorites and most used items.
Nature And Gardening
More time spent in nature and enjoying what it has to offer.
More adventures out and about in the wild, from our home state here in Vermont and beyond.
More pauses to appreciate the natural world around us and cultivate that sense of appreciation (and curiosity) in our children.
More hours spent outside.
More mud kitchens and leaf art.
More noticing of the good light, both inside the home and out in nature.
Sustainability
More understanding of what sustainability looks like, and exploring how we can be just a little bit more environmentally friendly.
More exploration of herbalism and growing what we need.
More simplistic and basic homecare methods.
More bulk shopping with reusable containers.
More reliance on our local library and other options for access to items rather than ownership.
Health And Wellness
More yoga, pilates, and zumba.
More skiing/snowshoeing in the winter and walks in the summer.
More simple and wholesome meals, like a whole foods diet.
More mindfulness, journaling, and gratitude practices.
More confidence.
More prioritization of moving my body well every day.
More work and time spent in therapy.
Work And Career
More flexible work to allow me to be home with my children when they aren’t in school.
More meaningful and fulfilling work.
More focus on the work itself and how it moves the needle instead of competition and profitability.
More ambition that’s aligned with my values.
More of an abundance mindset.
More intention and focus on work goals.
I’m quite excited to use this post as a benchmark of sorts and check back in next year to see where I stand. Will she or will she not make room in her life for the good stuff? That is the question. Until next time, dear readers.
Pssst…Now tell me in the comments below, what do YOU want MORE of in your life?! Do tell, I love it when you share your stories and motivations with me.
