Yesterday, I talked about my new, simpler way of living that I'm calling the Little House Lifestyle from the mind-set perspective. Today, I'm sharing some of the things I've been incorporating to get into this new lifestyle. Each fits in great with these easy ways to de-stress and builds on my goals for the year.
How to Live the Little House Lifestyle
Time Outside
Nature is constant. We go outside to soak in sunshine, a soft breeze, admire the beauty in the grass, trees, sky and flowers -- the same people have for thousands of years. Being outdoors grounds us and connects us to those simple times. It's time with ourselves and those we're with rather than embroiled in society. Step back, step out and step into nature. Nothing says Little House Lifestyle more than going with your family on a hike, walk in the woods, play time at the park, time in the backyard playing, sitting on the porch with your favorite drink, just being. We're working on redoing our yard so it looks pretty -- and so I finally have a porch swing -- so we'll have that beautiful outdoor haven I crave to enjoy being outside more.
Free activities
Take advantage of events and activities in your area that encourage family time rather than spending.
Family Time
Make time to put down electronic devises, turn off the TV and spend time together. Dinners, games, reading, time outside -- whatever you enjoy. Family is the heart of your life so keep it healthy by building memories and relationships.
Bake Fresh
Bake a yummy treat. Fresh, homemade cookies and bread can be calming to make. When the littles pitch in, it creates a memory. Plus, the house smells amazing and you have something yummy to eat.
Quality vs. Quantity
A closet stuffed with clothes, shoes and purses doesn't equal happiness. It's much better to have a few things that you love and take care of rather than tons of items you never wear that put stress on your finances. Before buying something new, I ask yourself if I really need it. If I don't, I skip it. I've shopping in my own closet for items I forgot about. Get a hole in a shirt? Sew it rather than buying a new one. Lately I've spent time going through closets, dressers and chests to clean out anything worn out beyond repair or that we just don't wear. Not having things you don't use helps keep your life simpler because you're not having to deal with it. Less clothes means less laundry to put away, too! If you do need new clothes, check out thrift stores or ask family and friends if there's anything they're tossing that you might like. Here are some great ways to save on kids' clothes.
Keep Food Simple
Rather than buying a ton of processed foods, going broke on fancy items you don't really need or eating out all the time, focus on cooking from scratch (the slow cooker is your friend), trimming the budget in favor of foods that are healthy and filling, and being frugal with your spending. This is great for your waist line and health, too.
Exercise
Get moving! Our ancestors didn't sit around all day, they were moving around, walking, farming, getting the blood flowing. A walk, lifting weights at home, doing a work out video, hiking, using home equipment, trying out yoga --whatever you like, find it and do it.
Garden
I can't think about a Little House Lifestyle without thinking of gardening. What is more basic than growing your own food? Flowers count, too. Planting a veggie garden helps you keep food at it's simplest, gets you outside and gets you exercising. You get more time to enjoy nature, too, getting out and getting dirty. Flowers lift your mood and give you a boost of nature, too. If you don't have room for a garden, pots work great, too. I'm working on turning part of our front garden beds into a potted garden this spring.
Clean Up and Clean Out
We all have those areas of the house where we cram things to deal with later. Out of sight, out of mind...until we open a door and some errant, crammed in bag/bottle/knicknack/doodad/book/whatever practically knocks us out as it careen toward our head. Then there's all the stuff we liked when we got it, but isn't really something we like anymore, taking up space around the house. I've been going through everything cleaning up and cleaning out lately. Rather than having a ton of decorations around the house, I'm simplifying. There's less for the kids to dump, less to break and less to clean. All the trouble spots are getting emptied out. Keep, donate or trash piles abound. Why let junk weigh us down? If you don't love it, toss it!
Plan Your Day and Schedule
In order to keep life on track way back when, women planned their days out. They figured out what needed to be done and did it. I do the same. I figure out what needs to be done for the month, week and day, then plan it all out. Of course, since life is crazy and never goes according to plan, I'm always readjusting. Ma Ingalls did too, I'm sure. (Who plans for tons of rain to wipe out the crops so you spend a week salvaging what you can rather than cleaning?) I've also got laundry, cleaning, errand and cooking schedules that keep life on track and going smoothly. So simple, yet so helpful to keep me from feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
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