Learning & Loving to Live Simply
One big thing about me is that I have never been attracted to extravagant things. I mean, aside from expensive, fast cars, but that’s the wild woman in me.
In my normal, everyday life I prefer the simple things. We don’t make a whole lot of money so we have to be cautious when it comes to spending money. Not because we have to though, but also because we want to. If I was to win millions on the lottery, I would still live in the home I have and drive an inexpensive car and shop at Home Goods and TJ Maxx. Nothing would change about me because this is the life I want and I want my son to learn to see value in moments and memories and not in things.
I am not attracted to a big, extravagant way of life. Maybe it’s the age in me, but I like to think that it’s because I am a rather simple person. I would choose a small house over a McMansion any day. Give me a Craftsman style home and I’ll be the happiest person around. The only large homes I would make an exception for are Victorian homes or Farmhouses. Even then, I’d choose a smaller Craftsman first.
Lately I have been getting rid of items I really don’t need and trying to replace them with less and better quality items. We live in such a disposable society that so much goes to waste in our lives and we don’t even think twice about it. Me, I section out my ground beef in Ziploc bags in 2/3 increments so that we don’t eat in excess and we don’t have loads of leftovers. I HATE wasting food, especially.
My car is a 2007 Nissan Murano and I love it. I never want to get rid of it. I am actually planning to purchase a 70s model VW Super Beetle/Bug as my next vehicle. I want my father to teach me how to work on the engine and I want it to look original and be my main car. I am so over expensive car repairs. If my transmission goes out in my car, it will be several thousand to fix it. Ugh! I have owned 2 VW Beetles/Bugs when I was a teen and I miss having one, so I am excited to make that purchase eventually.
I see a lot of bloggers writing about beauty and style and I am just like….meh. I have always loved fashion and can appreciate great quality purses and clothes, but when it comes down to it, who really cares if your jumper costs $1800?! I’d be more thrilled about an outfit at a super cheap deal! Another thing I see are women who have become obsessed with makeup and face jobs and plastic surgery and all that. That’s not me and never will be. I rarely ever wear makeup as it is. I have always preferred to be au natural because people know you are confident and just don’t give a shit if you go out in public with no makeup. I don’t want to look like I just rolled out of bed, but I don’t want to cake on a new face that covers the real me.
The things I am really interested in make my soul happy. I love working in the yard. I don’t hire someone to do it because I’m perfectly capable and I’d rather spend my money elsewhere. I love going to family outings and doing small road trips. I love having a dinner out so that I can have a day off from cooking and dishes. These are things that really make my life fulfilled. I don’t need to go shopping to be happy or hire someone because I have something else I should be doing. I value family over anything.
I think the saying in the graphic I posted is 100% accurate. There IS beauty in simplicity. There is beauty in knowing that you don’t have to be extravagant or look flawless or dress a certain way or decorate your home a certain way or simply just LIVE a certain way. Be who you are. Always be authentic and true and people will be drawn to that. I am not here to lure people in with anything misleading. My home is a fixer upper. There are more exposed bad areas than I’d like to admit, but I know that there are more people who are like me and might not be able to completely remodel their whole home when they move in. I like having projects because it keeps me busy. And when I’m done with those projects, then I will enjoy them for a bit before moving onto the next.
Life is about reinventing yourself, but always being true to the core.
