Things, Things, Things, everywhere you go, people want to sell you things. We are bombarded with adverts, telling us what can apparently make our lives easier, what can even make us happier. So much money is invested, in making us consume more and more, so that we become life long customers. Working to buy things, that are meant to add value to our lives.
But what exactly, do we consider to be of real value?
This question, is what led to me living a minimalist lifestyle. The most valuable things to me, are the health and well being of both myself and my children. Stripping away all the things that I had in my life, so that I could focus on what was really important.
Getting back in connection, with myself.
All the things I had, were distracting me, from creating the life that I wanted. They were a burden upon me, much like having to always carry weights on me, slowing me down and tiring me out. For sure some things, can help in our creative journey, things that allow us to express ourselves. But none of them compare to what we hols within.
Realising this, made it so much easier for me to let things go. Because for me, real joy comes from the relationship I have with myself, with my family and friends, and with the earth. A relationship that is based on love and respect.
The things, that I now want, are good food, clean air and water. A far call from the materialistic items that I once possessed. Which is not always easy for some to understand. My mother, always gifts me with some money for my birthday, telling me to treat myself.
Which I do, with organic foods and super foods. When I tell her this, she always replies "but you should really treat yourself, buy something that you really want". But that is exactly what I want, it is exactly what I need.
I love to recycle and upcycle, there is so much waste in this world, if I can find a way in which to use it, then I will. I do not need to spend money on things, that you can so often find for free.
I get asked, if I miss living in a house and all the comforts that come with it. For sure some things could make my life easier, but I wouldn't feel like I was fully living, if I lived any other way.
And how exactly, do we look at comfort. Yes it is nice to feel comfortable, but so much of those things that bring us comfort, are not actually good for our well being. I much prefer washing myself in the rivers and streams, than the chlorinated water that is provided.
Comfort, suddenly became more important than our well being. But really, the most comfortable life we can have, is one where we are healthy. You can not live in comfort if you are in pain or suffering from dis ease.
Plus I remain very active living this way, collecting water, climbing trees, going the extra mile, in order to ensure me and my girls have what we need. The physical side of my life, is so important, in maintaining my well being.
Life to me, is all about the experiences I have within our natural environment. Where I experience each season, with no buffers, enabling me to become in sync with them, listening to what my body needs and responding accordingly.
My life, is rich in experiences and that is what brings so much value to it. Learning to let go, so that I can move forward and discover how I am meant to be living my life. That is something, I have no doubt about.
The less I have, the more I gain and the healthier I am! Letting go, allows abundance to flow.
This post, is in response to the latest Kiss Blogging Ideas 22, from the wonderful Minimalism Community. I would like to invite to the get involved and talk about their minimalist lifestyle.

