Finding Joy in Simplicity

Life has become more and more complex.  Whether it's technology and how "connected" we all are, or how much choice we have (have you been to the milk aisle of the supermarket lately?), there is so much around us.

I remember as a kid when my parents would come home from work and we would all sit down to dinner.  The only distraction was my dog wanting some of my dinner.  TV was definitely around (I'm not that old), but we didn't sit in front of it that much.

As kids, we played outside, made up games and just were kids.  No screens, no computer games, no Minecraft.  Just whatever we wanted to make up.  There were boardgames and cards, but that was about it.

The most complex thing we had to grapple with was how to get to the corner store in the middle of summer to get an ice block and not burn the bottoms of our feet in the process.  I grew up in Queensland, so it was super hot!

Now we have computers in our pockets, we rarely get to switch off and we can order "stuff" with the click of a button.  We are constantly "upgrading" our stuff too.  Take out we actually had to go and pick up, whereas now we can get anyone to deliver almost anything to our door!

Now, I'm not saying that the answer is to go back to the "good old days", but some of the principles that we had back then we can bring into the now.

I've been on a decluttering mission in my house over the last few months, and now I can barely tell that anything has been removed.  We definitely still have plenty of "stuff"!

Here are some ways that I'm going back to basics and regaining my joy:

• Making presents, rather than buying things
• Buying secondhand
• Selling things we don't want or need anymore
• Getting out into nature - walks and bike rides
• Going for picnics rather than eating out
• Having more friend get togethers.  My parents used to throw so many parties!

Have a think about what brings you joy (or used to).  Rekindle that feeling and start to do those things again.