Living Simply: Question 10

Today our next question in our summer series about living simply is this:

What does success look like to you?

     To many people, success looks very different. Society would tell you success means having a car you can't afford, a home bigger than you could ever need, and debt up to your eyeballs! But from a minimalist or just living simply perspective, success can look very different, and yet, be even more rewarding. Let's take a look at a few ideas.

     Success can mean you still run a business or have a job, but maybe you have control over your own hours. There's thousands of stories of people who had no time freedom, so they either started their own business, or working from home, or went into a private practice to have control over their time. To them, that's success.

     Success can mean you don't have debt anymore. Maybe it's from an inheritance, or royalties for something you did earlier, or maybe like many who follow financial advisers like Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman and got rid debt. You live a lifestyle that's comfortable, you have an emergency fund, savings, retirement planned out, investments, and no car payments, credit car debts, or school loans. That space to financially breathe is success to them.

     Success can be so simple depending where you started out. In my lifetime, I have been and met people from all walks of life, from all over the world, who grew up poor, in very bad circumstances. Society would've project by outward appearances that people like that had no hope, no future. But every so often, someone rises above their circumstances. They find (or are blessed with) mentors to lead and guide them. They find hope and belief that they CAN do better than what they grew up with, and find the determination to make it out of those circumstances. For them success may look like becoming a stable 2-parent household with good kids that aren't trouble makers. For some it looks like finishing high school when those in their neighborhood generally drop out and turn to a life of crime, gangs, drugs, or prostitution. Something as simple as getting a college degree or finding a job that pays the bills can mean the world to someone who's only known struggles before that. 

     Don't let anyone else determine what success looks like for YOU. Take the time to figure out what would make you feel like you've had success in an area of importance to you, then take the intentional steps to make that happen. You deserve the life you're willing to hope, belive, and work for. Now go get it.

Living Simply: Question 9

What is your perfect day?

Today I want you to think about your idea of a perfect day. If you're already on track with minimalism or living simply, you may want to describe your perfect day in some tropical place, or exclusive ski resort, or camping in some exotic place, but for the majority of people just struggling to get through the week or the month, let's start a bit slower. And by the way, it's okay to give yourself permission to dream. Nothing worthwhile begins without one.

First, if you were to describe your perfect day, where would you be waking up. Would it be in the home you are now because you love it? Would it be in a tiny home on a bunch of land with a view? Would it be in a loft apartment overlooking your favorite city skyline? Maybe it would be in a tent, next to the water, on either a beach or in the mountains somewhere?

Once you woke up, got showered and dressed, what would you do next? Do you think you would want to go out for breakfast? or eat at home before starting your day? For those who don't get to have breakfast with their family because of job schedules, sitting at the table with your family may be more desirable than a diner somewhere.

Now to start your perfect day. What will you do? Well, I guess it depends on your surroundings. If you're at the beach, maybe you lay out and relax before taking a swim in warm waters. If you're in the woods, maybe you want to take a nature walk until lunch, searching for a great lookout point for a scenic view? If you're in the city, maybe it's a day to explore the tourist attractions you've never had time to enjoy, or even a few museums? Maybe you're into fishing? or skiing? or mountain climbing? or maybe you're so burnt out that just sitting quietly looking out over a lake under the shade of tall pines is your thing.

Lunch time. What will you do? Hiker's lunch from your backpack? Beach seafood buffet? Elegant dining at a city's best restaurant? Picnic in the park with your family? Go to a ball game?

What will you do this afternoon? Think through your perfect day. Where would you be? Who would you want with you? Would it be quiet and peaceful or full of excitement? Would it be a slower change of pace or a day of taking in all that place has to offer?

Once you've gone through this exercise, then maybe you can figure out some baby steps to take to intentionally get you closer to that day. It may take doing bits of it here and there, but being intentional about the type of life you want is what's important.

Perhaps this question and thoughts can turn into a weekend getaway? Maybe you can take one day to do something from your perfect day? Maybe you can put off something that's not important to have that meal around the table or picnic in the park with your family. Whatever makes up your perfect day, I hope you take the time to make it happen in your mind, then move towards it in your life. Enjoy!