Living simply

Today’s To Do List for a Better Me
I compiled a list of things I need to do today and everyday in order to find inner peace.

I compiled a list of things I need to do today and everyday in order to find inner peace.

During my journey I was hoping to find some peace in my life.  I thought getting away from the stresses of everyday life and living on the road would provide the answer I was looking for.  I found many things on the road but peace, unfortunately, was not one of them.  I came home very disappointed with that aspect of the trip (all the other aspects of the trip were wonderful).  Then I realized that I need to look inside myself first, I need to lose the drama that surrounds everyday life, I need to think of others first, I need to pray and be thankful for all things, good or bad.

Running away from problems or situations is never the answer for they just follow you wherever you go.  You may be able to outrun them for a time, but they always catch up with you.  I may not have found actual peace on the road, but I did figure out a way to have more of it in my life.  I am going to try to practice this to do list everyday  along with living a more simple lifestyle and maybe, just maybe, I will experience the inner peace I so desperately seek.

Live Simply – Live Elegantly – Live Truthfully
I do not own this image, nor did I create it. I am respectfully using it in my blog.

I do not own this image, nor did I create it. I am respectfully using it in my blog.

Living simply….is that even possible in today’s complicated world?  I think so, but it takes a lot of work and forethought.  Part of my Epic Journey includes downsizing and learning to live simply.  We are in the process of trying to get out from under our house payment and find something smaller.  Like so many people we know, Mike and I have spent years working for the house, the stuff in the house and other stuff in general.  We have worked for years for stuff that, as of right now, we can barely give away.

The things that were important even a few years ago, do not seem important at all now.  We both want to work less, create more, give back and pay forward, enjoy life a bit and live with a lot less.  As I am cleaning out, so much of the “stuff” is dust laden because it has not been used in a very long time, if ever.  I am sad for all the money spent on those things, it could have been put to much better use than it was.

I have just about six weeks to clear out 50 years worth of stuff and downsize to a manageable level.  I am finding the task rather daunting.  Until the next trip, this will be my life.  I am not sure if anyone is interested in an ex-shopaholic (I had serious shopping issues for a long time) turning into live-with-less girl.  I do not feel my story is anything spectacular but I do feel that so many people are wanting to live more organically and do not really know how.  I am hoping to learn some life lessons in the next six weeks.  I plan to share what I have learned and I hope you find it interesting.

The whole travel thing balances on the new simple living life.  I cannot travel with a lot of stuff, I have to downsize in order to live out of my car and a tent (most of the time).  The two ideals go hand in hand.  I am so looking forward to having a life that is authentic, organic and simple.  I guess my first step is to define those terms for myself as well as come to terms with money.  For me, I have always had a love/hate relationship with money, now is the time to get realistic about it.  You cannot live without it, but I certainly do not want to pursue it at any cost any longer.

Today's To Do List...

Today’s To Do List…

The next six weeks should be interesting and I hope you continue to check in.    Thank you for listening!!