For this week’s edition of Simple Sunday, we are excited to share another guest post with you. This post was written by Niki who writes the blog for Organizing Connection, and used to blog at Minimalist Mommy. Niki’s blog is filled with insight into pursuing and living a simple life, as well as many household and parenting tips. She writes conversationally and her blog is a pleasure to read. Please make sure you stop by and spend some time perusing her writing. We know you will enjoy your time there, just as we know you will enjoy this post.

Thank you for your willingness to share your journey to voluntary simplicity with us all Niki.

My Journey to “Voluntary Simplicity”

Ask me to define this term 7 years ago and I would have looked at you like you fell off the turnip truck.  Ask me now and you may have to take a seat and get comfy because it may take a while for me to explain what this means to me and my family.

Truth is, this practice is fairly new to us, initially out of necessity and now out of habit and desire.  I started opening my eyes to our way of living since I took a position as a certified Credit Counsellor and saw all too often what money or lack thereof, subsequent debt and the never ending “wants” have done to people. Lives were completely consumed with material possessions and the resulting debt load caused families to fall apart and marriages to crumble before my eyes, over what?  Stuff! I began to take a long hard look at our lives and realized we too were guilty, and still are, to a certain extent  It’s hard not to, with so much emphasis on the newest and latest gadgets we are constantly bombarded with the pressure to own the next great thing.  I am not immune to the temptation and have fallen victim from time to time and continue to struggle while evolving into our new lifestyle.  For us it has become a way of life and one that we embrace, grow and thrive on.  It is difficult for me to briefly sum up how we choose to live our lives but the term Voluntary simplicity depicts it best.  We choose to live below our means and try not to put an emphasis on material things, bringing as many aspects of our lives back to basics.  By no means has this been an easy transformation and has definitely not happened over night.  I don’t focus on one area more than another, rather I practice basic living in everything we do.  From buying stuff, cooking, eating, toys and family fun, all are geared towards the basics and how we can put less emphasis on stuff and money rather on family and health. 

The first most obvious frugal change is that of our family structure.  We live on a 50 acre horse farm with my parents….yes you read that right!  When I first mention this to most people they have one of two reactions, initially shocked  and subsequently they express their excitement once they hear how wonderful it is. “you are blessed if it does work” is a common statement out of people’s mouths.  The general consensus from others is that we are crazy and odd for living this way in this day and age.  Honestly this was a big step for my husband and I, having previously owned our home, choosing to give this up to share accommodations with my parents.  This was an even bigger challenge for my parents to give up their comfortable life to take this step.  I cannot stress how wonderful this has been and continues to be.  I can see how others think it is unorthodox in today’s society but not too long ago this is how many families lived and many cultures continue to do so.  The benefit to this living is we can all live on a property that alone we may not be able to afford and most of all sustain comfortably.   By living together we can all help maintain the property while enabling the work load to be shifted to more bodies.  We all take turns running down in the evening to help out with the chores and other general maintenance that needs to be done with this size property.  Horses are a family passion and by living here I am able to continue with this love by the help of my parents.  I now have 24 hour access to my own horse and my own indoor and outdoor arena to enjoy my hobby whenever I please.  I know how truly blessed I am as horse ownership is definitely a luxury in today’s society.  My mom gets satisfaction as she has equal passion for horses and never tires of seeing one of her horses being worked on a regular basis. 

I have to say the best part of choosing this type of living is the benefit my children are receiving.  My two little guys are growing up with their grandparents who love and shower them with daily attention.  There are times I am overwhelmed and tired and they never fail to step in and give me a hand.   There are no shortage of places to explore and things to see, it is literally a haven for a little boy complete with tractors, backhoes and equipment galore. 

Because of this lifestyle I was able to become a full time SAHM after the birth of my second son.  No more stressful mornings trying to get out of the door on time, no more frantic calls to the sitter explaining how I may be late because of a last minute meeting.  No more lunch making in the evening and breakfasts in the car in the morning.  All of this is gone.  Because I have the luxury of staying home I chose to make this my job and so the journey began.  I spend my days cooking from scratch, cleaning with natural products, gardening and subsequent canning to provide produce yearly and most of all quality time with my children and parents.  Days are spent outside playing in the open, biking to nearby parks and libraries, baking cookies with my little ones propped up on stools and providing meals daily for the whole family including my parents.  I continue to learn new ways to nourish my family, maximize my time, budget and save my husbands hard earned money.

All in all this journey has been a blessing, I have learned more about myself and my family, met wonderful people online who have encouraged me throughout.  Voluntary simplicity has given me a focus and determination that no amount of money can buy.

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