So I wondered if anyone was interested in sharing ideas about living a more simple, organic, holistic, and sustainable life. I would be grateful to hear any and all suggestions.
These are things I have been trying to incorporate into my life:
1. Support my local farmers. I'm lucky - I live in farm country. I found a new indoor market yesterday that allows me to buy ethically raised meat, dairy and eggs from a local farm. I am grateful.
2. Open my damn mail!! During my drinking years, I was an ostrich about my finances and that was a disaster. I had bill collectors climbing all over me due to my financial neglect. It was awful and of my own doing. As many of you know, I lost everything including my house. No more of that nonsense. Now, I open, read, and address everything that comes to my mailbox. As dumb as it sounds, this was my biggest challenge. I was too afraid to deal with my bills because of past experiences, so I just didn't bother. Not advised. I now have a cute, decorated bag that holds bills to be paid (makes it more palatable), and a shredder that takes care of junk mail. This a daily ritual for me.
3. As an extension to the above - I no longer buy things I don't need. No more impulse shopping. I make a list and I stick to it. If I want something (and that's ok), I must be able to comfortably afford it first. If not, I need to save until I can. Absolutely no credit whatsoever. I have to say, the few "want" purchases I have made lately have been very rewarding because I have had to wait for them. And for the first time in my life, my savings account is growing. That is fun. I also decluttered my home recently, so I have a fresh start.
3. Grow my own. This is a new hobby for me, but I invested in a few grow lights and have converted a spare bedroom into an indoor garden - microgreens and herbs all winter long. It keeps me busy, and it's all organic. This summer, I will have a nice 20 x 20 ft. plot in an organic community garden. I plan to learn to can. That way I can enjoy my harvest all through the winter, and will be less reliant on big agribusiness.
4. Reach out to people. This was another hard one for me. I'm an introvert by nature, so it's easy for me to climb into a shell and shut others out. Now, I answer my phone. I make calls. I make plans. It's working out quite well. I heard from both of my sons today. A simple phone call and I realized that life doesn't get any better that
So - how have you simplified your life? I want to hear everything. This is my new passion. Living, cooking, gardening, finances - all of it. I spend quite a bit of time on websites and forums discussing these issues, but I thought it would be nice to bring this discussion to MWO. Here are a few sites I visit daily and recommend:
http://vickirobin.com/ (co-author of "Your Money or Your Life" A life-transforming book)
Peace to you all. xx, Moss
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