101 ways to CHOOSE SIMPLICITY (21-25)

101 Ways to Choose Simplicity
(ways #21-25)

It has been a while since I wrote in this series.... I have 'chosen simplicity' the last few weeks by strictly limiting my computer time. Spring is an extra busy season for our family. The 'homestead' requires much more of my time and I have had 3 children in sports. Enough said!

To continue on in this series, keep in mind that every family is different. What 'simplifies' life for us might not work for you. Also I have to constantly remind myself that every little thing I do to simplify my life adds up.... not any one thing makes it complete. I also remind myself that life is seasons.... literally..... Life in the winter is drastically different than in the summer.... our lifestyle must be flexible!! So, without further rambling.....
#21: Have BASIC shoes.
Ones for everyday and a few dressier ones.
Now, I will admit, I am not a 'shoe girl' anyway, but limiting the number of shoes in this home helps a TON! With 6 pairs of feet we could end up with a TON of shoes.... NOT necessary!!! I keep our shoe selection to a minimum... focusing on quality and comfort rather than quantity and latest fashion.

#22: Have an extra set of sheets for each bed.
Take one set off to wash and IMMEDIATELY put on the 'extra' clean set. Some people keep their extra set stored between the mattress and the box spring.... I keep mine in a dresser drawer. The extra sets for the kids are in the upstairs linen closet. Bedtime needs no additional stress... having the clean sheets on and ready really helps simplify bedtime!

#23: Build up a surplus.
As much as the budget allows (even if it is just a few dollars each week) build up a surplus of things you know your family uses. When items are on sale stock up.... then get to the point that you only buy them when they are on sale. This will save you a ton of money in the long run and will save you stress!!! Nothing says 'I love you' like never running out of toilet paper!!! This is a reminder to myself.... I let my 'stock pile' of klenex run out.... now we NEED them and I hate to buy them when they aren't on sale! I also find it a great comfort to know that we have a few weeks worth of food in the house.... it is always wise to have the means to feed your family.

#24: Clip your key chain to your purse strap or belt loop.
I hate the sinking feeling I get when I am frantically searching for my keys!!! A few years ago I purchase a simple metal clip that I put on my key chain... now I clip it to by purse or my belt loop.... end of the frantic search at the bottom of my purse!!!! I love knowing where my keys are at all times!!!!!
#25: Breakfast for supper!
We really enjoy breakfast food (pancakes, eggs, bacon, waffles, sausage and buscuits, etc) but don't have the time or energy to fix these in the mornings. Our solution is to have a 'breakfast' night once a week for supper. We call it our 'family tradition' in Simple Family Supper. We have lots of fun with pancakes... letters, happy faces, shapes and since we raise chickens we usually have an abundance of eggs. I always make a BIG batch of the pancakes, waffles or french toast and freeze any left over for the kids to warm up on weekday mornings.

What do you think?? Have you found any of these helpful in your own life?? I would love to hear from you!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

101 ways to CHOOSE SIMPLICITY (16-20)

Have you ever noticed that the little stresses of the day add up and then all of a sudden feel over whelming?? Well, the reverse is also true.... all the little choices you make to Choose Simplicity add up and really do simplify your life! I am saying this to encourage you because sometimes implementing a small change doesn't seem like it is really going to make much of a difference.... but it does!! Each choice we make throughout the day, big or small, does impact our life.... we can choose a lot of little simple things that add up!! To read the whole series go here.

101 ways to CHOOSE SIMPLICITY #16-20

#16: Use a family wall calendar and teach everyone to write on it!
If it isn't on the calendar it isn't going to happen in our family. This one thing will save you a TON of stress.... you will know what is going on and you won't miss important events! My oldest 2 children are well trained. At ages 9 and 11 they faithfully write down things and check the calendar. Just this morning before my husband left for work we stood in front of our large calendar together and went over the week. Flylady teaches about the power of a calendar. The calendar has been an important part of our life for years, but as the kids get older it has become ESSENTIAL to keep track of their activities.

#17: Pick a small splurge to indulge in and then savor and enjoy it!
Living a simple life is often paired with frugality. I am an extremely frugal person... I want to get the most bang for each buck I have. However, I desire to enjoy life, no be some kind of frugal martyr. Choosing a small splurge (something completely non-essential) and ENJOYING it has been a new addition to my life this winter. My splurge of choice is half & half cream for my coffee. I savor my coffee! I make my coffee at home and then indulge in the wonderful creaminess of my steaming cup! Is it essential? No, but it is a wonderful way to kick of each new day! Do I feel guilty about the little extra in the grocery cart? Not at all!

#18: Don't be consumed with MULTITASKING!
Yes, there are certain things that are easily mulitasked such as folding the laundry and listening to a great teaching message (such as Focus on the Family or Family Life Today) or chatting with a child as you go about your work. However, multitasking actually can backfire. I know, I am going completely against modern culture, but I truely believe doing one thing at a time actually pays off. Give it a whril for a day: Try doing ONE thing at a time and giving 100% of your effort and attention to that task. I am past being surprised that I can usually accomplish more in my day and have better quality results by doing one thing at a time rather than 3! Focusing on one thing at a time also gives me the chance to TEACH my children how to do that task. They can work along side me and we focus together on that thing at hand. Another side benefit to doing one thing at a time is the ability to FOCUS on what I am doing and give my 5 senses a chance to absorb life! There are a lot of little things in life to enjoy that we miss because we are trying to do too many things at once!

#19: Eliminate, Eliminate, Eliminate STUFF!
Seriously, stuff accumulates at a rate that is hard to keep up with! The mass amounts of papers that my kids bring home from school is just one of many things that can quickly get out of hand. Elimination just has to be a part of life.... We save special things and special papers, but the rest go. Another way to 'keep' the cute things that kids draw and make is to take their picture with their creation! Children will enjoy looking through a photo album of themselves with their creations more than sifting through boxes of actuall projeccts.

#20: Keep a small trash can or bag in your vehicle to collect daily trash and empty it every time you get gas.
We live WAY out in the country so every time we go anywhere it is a drive. Therefore, I do allow my children to eat/drink in the van. I also allow them to color, read and play with a few toys. My van will NEVER win a 'cleanest' vehicle contest.... NEVER. However, having a trash can in the van goes a LONG way to keeping it nice. I don't have a garage so cleaning out the van and vaccuming it out doesn't happen much in the winter..... I am a wimp in the cold! Keeping a handle on trash goes a long way!

Your turn to share! Do you do any of these things to Choose Simplicity in your life?? What do you think about multitasking?? Do you have any ideas you could share? I always love to hear from you.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

101 ways to CHOOSE SIMPLICITY (11-15)

Choosing Simplicity, one baby-step at a time. Have you ever seen your house get more organized without thought? The natural order of things left to their own is chaos. Ever seen a cluttered counter just become uncluttered without purposeful action?? Life is not naturally simple. Ever since the great fall in the Garden of Eden life's natural bent is towards chaos. If only my house would stay clean, organized and beautiful all without DELIBERATE action against chaos!

Choosing Simplicity understands that life is not in any way naturally simple and that we never get to quit "fighting the fight". We constantly have to "weed" more than our gardens! We have to weed out stuff, attitudes, words, choices, schedules, etc..... ! Choosing Simplicity means that we are deliberate about creating a simple life by eliminating as much chaos as we can.

This is part 3 in the 101 ways to Choose Simplicity series. Click here to read them all. Some of these baby-steps are practical actions that we can implement and others are matters of the heart. It is truly amazing what a HUGE impact our heart attitude has in our lives! As Proverb's states: "As a man thinks in his heart, he is." Our thoughts turn in to beliefs that flow into words and actions. Having a "simplicity" mindset is absolutely key!!

101 Ways to Choose Simplicity #11-15

#11 Have a set and specific place you keep your purse and keys.
This one thing will eliminate hours of searching over your lifetime. Ever since I implemented this a few years ago I haven't "lost" my purse or keys since. It is also easy for me to ask a family member to get if for me since they know where it is!

#12 Decide to live RICH! Decide to create an "Abundance" mindset rather than a "poverty" mindset.
I wrote a whole post on this here. We can all live RICH... it has nothing to do with the amount of money in our bank accounts! Living RICH is choosing to focus on the abundance of little blessings in our lives! It LOOKING for the simple joys, the blessings, the memories. It is enjoying life.

#13 Use the timer!
Flylady teaches this constantly and you know what? It WORKS!!! We use our timer many, many times throughout the day. In fact the timer just rang signaling that my little boys could get out of 'time-out'. Got a task you are dreading? Set the timer for 15 minutes and work till it rings. You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes. Only got 5 minutes? Give it a whirl! We also use our timer when we are getting ready to head out the door. I will set it and tell the children that when they hear it that means to get their shoes and coats on. I set it again and that ring means load up in the van. You can even use the timer to count your blessings! Using the timer to control computer time (or any other hobby) is also helpful. I can loose all track of time while I am on the computer or engrossed in a good book... the timer keeps life in balance!

#14 Clean out your closet! The Baby-step way to purging excess clothes.
Cleaning out the closet and dressers is a HUGE job. However, by breaking it down into small bites it will get done! Everyday tackle one shelf/drawer/section and continue it daily until all that is left are things that you love to wear! I know I need to do this again... get rid of anything I didn't wear over the winter. One small area each day will only take minutes and before you know it your closet will be completely cleaned out! Eliminating excess clothes (plus the ones that don't fit) is very freeing.... overflowing dressers and closets is stressful... it makes me feel frustrated. Choosing Simplicity means only keeping what I need and love! (The same method works with other closets/dressers in the house.)

#15 Shop with a list.
Knowing what you need and getting what is on your list will save you both time and money. If I don't have a list I will not remember everything I need and I will buy things I wasn't planning on. Having a menu plan is the first step and then a shopping list to make sure you have everything you need is the second step. Keeping an on going list on the side of the fridge is essential... nothing says I love you like never running out of toilet paper. It is extremely stressful when you forget something at the store and you need that one more item for supper! Having a list keeps you focused on what you need as well as keeps you out of the store for the "one thing" trips (that never end up being one thing)! (All of the Simple Family Supper menu plan kits come with complete shopping lists) Save time and money by using and sticking to a shopping list.

I would love to hear from you! Do you do any of these things?? How do they work for you?? Do you have any suggestions??


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

101 ways to CHOOSE SIMPLICITY (6-10)

Choosing Simplicity... 101 ways to make baby-steps to a more simple life. Read the first installment of this series here. Some of these are very practical ways to simplify your daily life, others are matters of the heart and attitude.


#6 Live in the NOW, not in the "when", "if" and "someday". Enjoy the season of life you are in now... don't wait to live life to the fullest some time in the future. Life is a journey, not a destination!!! What is your favorite thing about today?? Focus on that. Take time to live in the moment of TODAY! Spend a few minutes really focusing all of your 5 senses on an experience today. Stop to smell the roses! Don't let time slip by without LIVING!

#7 Keep a flash light by your bed and in other designated locations. The power never goes out at a convenient time.... being prepared will prevent stress and probably a few stubbed toes! Keeping a flash light in your "Safe Place" (where you go during a tornado warning) is a very good idea. It is very common to loose power during bad storms and there is nothing like being stuck in the (creepy) basement with all the kids during a storm in the complete dark! YIKES! (Don't ask how I know about that!) It is also a good idea to keep a flash light in the car. Just know where the flash lights are (and loaded with batteries).

#8 Have one area in a room you decorate for the seasons. Create a focal point in the room and keep it simple by not decorating the whole room! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy decorating for the holidays, but it can be a lot of work, cost a lot of money and be cluttered. Choosing one area in designated rooms to focus on is very freeing!


#9 Establish a "LIBRARY" zone in your home. We have a basket that we take to the library with us and when we get home library books stay in it. We take a book out to read and put it right back in!!! It really helps keep track of library materials. Also writing the due dates on the calendar is a big help. (I know from experience the fines that mount up when you forget to take the dvd's back on time!) From now on the dates go on the calendar!!!

#10 Keep an on going list on the side of your fridge for food and household items that you are running low on. Teach your family to add to this list. It will make creating the shopping list a sinch and nothing says 'I love you' like never running out of toilet paper! Being organized with shopping will save you both time and money.

Come back next week as I cover 5 more ways to Choose Simplicity!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

101 ways to CHOOSE SIMPLICITY (1-5)

Modern Life is WAY too complicated! I am on a mission create a SIMPLE and joyful life for our family. Over the weekend I wrote down a list of 101 ways to CHOOSE SIMPLICITY. I will be doing a weekly series covering these easy ways.... we can baby step our way to a more simple life! Most of these 101 things I already practice, however, some of them I need to implement or re-implement. The 101 ways are not listed in any particular order... just how they flowed out of my brain. Some are philosophical of nature and many are practical.


CHOOSING SIMPLICITY: ways #1-5

1) Admit that having a more SIMPLE life is a DELIBERATE choice that you have to CHOOSE! This is why I call my blog "Choosing Simplicity"..... it is a daily, moment by moment choice. It is a way of life. One of my favorite sayings is: "If you don't aim at a target you will miss it every time". CHOOSING simplicity means that you make daily choices through a simplicity filter. It must be a DELIBERATE choice... simplicity requires active participation... life is not simple by nature!

2) "Have what you want and want what you have!" Contentment is KEY to living a simple life. More is not the answer to peace and joy. Living with a content attitude will impact every aspect of your life. I am not talking about being content to "stay the same".... learning and growing is vital. Contentment of heart frees you up from the bondage of "more, better, if only, when, someday, etc". Contentment gives you peace in the moment rather than longing for the next.

3) Create a "Launch Pad". I learned this from FlyLady... it really works!!! Have a designated place that you put things that you need to take with you when you leave. We have a place right by the door that we put things.... Put EVERYTHING you have to take with you.... Start the night before!! If you have to leave first thing in the morning having everything by the door ready and waiting is a huge way to keep life simple! Train your children to put everything they need to take on the "Launch Pad". Children will take these simple habits with them into their adult lives!

4) Teach children how to do household tasks.... "train yourself out of a job"! We are raising future ADULTS, not future children. They need to have these vital skills. "Many hands makes light work!" Our children have everyday 'because you are part of this family' chores and they have 'Pay Jobs' to earn money for their wants. I can not tell you how wonderful it is to have children with SKILLS!!! Last evening I wasn't feeling very well, so my 9 year old daughter volunteered to make Mac and Cheese for supper last night! She did it ALL and it was VERY good! I do think it is important that children have ample "Play Time" to "be children". However, it is all about balance!

5) Know what you are fixing for supper! Live with a plan. Planning menus is gaining back popularity, especially as folks are eating at home more to save money. Eating simple, healthy, easy meals at home will simplify your budget, increase your health, and build memories around the table. Do what works for you. Some families have a very detailed plan for all meals, others just plan suppers, and others just have a list of meals that they have ingredients for. Find a "meal plan" system that works for you and then USE it! Eliminate the "What is for Supper?" stress from you life! I am so passionate about families sharing meals together that I created www.SimpleFamilySupper to provide an EASY, family friendly, budget savvy plan for families. It is a good blend for me: something I am passionate about and a way to earn some money as I stay at home with my family.

So, what do you think?? Do you CHOOSE SIMPLICITY by doing any of these things? Would you be willing to share how it works for you?

Go HERE to read the next installment.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather