So 2022 has been a bit of a blur so far, right? How are we 8 days into April? We’ve been getting ready for warm weather, suffering through allergies and recently a cold for SaraAnn this week. One thing I’ve been focusing on in my path for contentment is simplifying our lives. We are pulled in SO many different directions, our attention is scattered at best and our families are struggling because of it. We really have to sit down and say – where can we simplify? Our finances? Our schedule? Our social media usage?
SaraAnn loves to be outside in the dirt, sandbox, splashing in puddles – all the dirty things, bless her heart! It has forced me to make time for that, and I don’t love the outdoors, especially in spring time because I suffer terribly until the green devil’s dust goes away, roughly around the end of May(ish) here in the Carolinas. By then, however, the heat is dialing up and if you know me in real life at all, you know I do NOT like to be hot or sweaty.
Simpler life – God has been pushing me in the direction of being content with where I’m at. Not longing for a bigger house, newer car or whatever the latest fad is. My ministry first and foremost is in my home as a wife and a momma. The bulk of my energy should be spent there – it’s the place my personal impact is felt most, especially while SaraAnn is young. I’m not saying it’s bad to have a new house, car or the latest fashion. Don’t hear me wrong. Be aware of what you have to sacrifice in order to make those things happen. Are you living outside your means? Using credit cards to buy things you can’t buy with cash? That’s a slippery slope. We’ve gotten so used to two day shipping, instant gratification of likes and follows and having what the next family has – we’ve lost sight of so much. Add to that the current climate of price increases on just about everything in the world – it’s time to simplify and focus on what’s really important.
For us, we have decided to do some renovations to our current home to make it more suitable to our life and what we expect with having a child as we get older. The housing market is NUTS and I simply don’t want any part of it. We have been waiting for months for our contractor to begin, but hopefully it will be soon! I’ll be posting progress updates and what we’re planning on soon! We also have prioritized where we spend our money, especially on groceries, supporting local where we can and trying to plant a more intentional garden this year. Farm fresh meat is expensive and buying organic where possible is too, but my family’s health is important. I can’t control everything, but I can control what I put on the table. We can’t change it all at one time, but I can be mindful of where I’d like to be as we simplify.
There will be more to come on our plan to simplify. Such a all encompassing thing – but baby steps and focus are our plan – we got this!
