Last week I shared my frustration at being unable to ‘do it all’ .
This week I have a new perspective partially because of your kind comments, partially because sometimes life makes you stop and take inventory of your life.
I have had hours and hours this last week while sitting alongside my mother-in-law to really ponder what it is in my life that I have found to be important and those things that are just not that big of a deal. It is interesting when you watch someone at the very end of their lives, as you watch them die, you turn to your life and take inventory.
When my husband’s family has recounted their childhoods, while remembering their mother, it was not the things they had, how clean their house was, or even what a great cook their mother was. No, what they remember and cherish is how she was there for them, how she loved them, her quick smile, and quirky sense of humor.
Sometimes I, because I’m an all or nothing personality, tend to get fixated on things like an organic homegrown diet that I don’t remember to sit down and just enjoy a meal.
I truly believe that growing my own food is a worthy goal but if I find myself sitting down to dinner with my family and instead of being in the moment always thinking of all the things I need to do after dinner then my perspective needs to change.
I need to remember that when I am dying someday my kids won’t remember that they only ate organically grown broccoli from our own garden as much as they will remember that their mom sat with them at meals and interacted with them…really listened to what they had to say.
So I am hoping this summer to get a little change in my perspective…I’m not giving up on some of my goals and plans especially those that involve simplifying my life…but I’m going to put them in the ‘big picture’. I’m going to focus more on those things that are as simple as spending time with my family.
For at the end of our lives are we really going to remember anything else?
So stay tuned throughout this summer as I’m going to be starting a series on how I am going to go about simplifying my life. How I am going to re-prioritize and learn to focus more on those things that are important and less on the other stuff!
First step for me…getting rid of the clutter. It is driving me crazy and distracting me from things more important. See you next week when I will share my plan for getting rid of all the ‘stuff’ that I don’t want or need!
So true.
Involving your family in your goals is a great way to get help and to spend quality time together. Your kids will remember working with you in the garden and helping with the canning/freezing. I have many memories of laughing so hard while all sitting around and shelling peas together.
Getting rid of clutter – great way to kick start. I’ve been slowly working my way through the basement getting rid of clutter and getting down to bare essentials. So liberating and so much easier to keep clean. My goal is to have everything fit on the shelves we have (which are up on wheels for easy moving & cleaning). No buying of more bins or shelves for storage. I’m thinking I’ll be able to do it and have extra space left over.
A very good conclusion to come to and something for us all to consider.
Lovely post. Nurturing relationships, creativity, social activity, and your home environment are as important to overall health and well-being as a good diet free of pesticides and grown with love. I look forward to your posts over the summer as you travel on this journey.
Boy, do I hear you on the clutter. We did a big purge when we moved across the country, but it sneaks back in! Maybe you should do a clutter-buster challenge to kick into gear.
Ah…Clarity. It’s a beautiful thing. You are so right about how watching a loved one pass makes you reevaluate. I did the same thing while sitting with my grandmother as her journey ended.
Fantastic post—and so true!
I like your idea regarding decluttering. We’ve only lived in this house one year, and the clutter is creeping in on us.
I’m glad to read that you’ve gained something positive from your frustrations. It sounds like you’re on the right track, but don’t try to do it all at once!! You’re so right: quality of life is not about what you have or how much, but rather who is in it and the quality of time spent together.
Oh goodie, now we *finally* get to clean your sewing room. ;-P
Looking forward to your series & what you come up with! My life seems to be a cycle of simplify…build up again…re-examine what’s essential for this season of my life & what’s not…simplify again.
Helpful post, thank you.