As a mother of two kids now in college I think recognizing that life has it's seasons is REALLY important and something I was too tired to "get" when they were little. Diapers season does end! But, so do sticky hugs and picnics in the living room so enjoy!
Meals on rotation is such a fabulous way to simplify. I chose 10 meals that our family loves. With one dinner a week pick up, one dinner each week being leftovers, this gives us 2 weeks of meals. That means we are only eating the same meals twice a month. We do it seasonally for 3 months at a time. If I get inspired, I can try a new meal but I don’t have to continually do that. This also tremendously simplifies my grocery shopping process. Win/win.
sabbath is BANG! i've been doing it for a year now and i love it...i turn off all electronics, use candlelight and flashlights, read books, sleep, and since i cook extra food on friday morning, i eat as much as i want, and it seems so counter intuitive like you would be losing a whole day without answering emails or scrolling through the internet, i actually feel like i'm gaining a whole day! ruthless elimination of hurry was what inspired me to try it and it's been amazing!
When I packed up my home, for a season, and moved to China with 2 suitcases and a carry-on I was never more at peace. I had only what I needed, and I had so much time to spend learning new skills for my education career, enjoying friends, and just thinking. I returned home and started throwing stuff out. I didn’t even unpack the clothes I had left behind. I had curated a core wardrobe of just a few pieces in coordinated colors and found getting ready (not to mention doing laundry) was so much easier.
Your videos have saved me….🥹 I just recently quit my teaching job to become a stay at home mom with my 2 yr old and 10 month old. I just can’t even express what your videos have meant to me….looking forward to watching more. 🫶🏼
and EXACTLY....it took me a few weeks of trying and assessing what worked and what i needed to plan for my sabbath to be truly restful..it has made me more INTENTIONAL with my week and what i expose myself to...i made the mistake early on of listening to my ricky martin cd before i turned off my power and spent my sabbath having my brain bothering me with livin la vida loca lol
I've watched this twice now and resonate with it so much. I went from a crazy corporate career that took over my life to what some would probably consider a basic job working outdoors but the freedom and home life is incredible. Everything in my life now is minimalised over a 2 yr period and I wish I'd done it sooner. Minimalism for me has allowed me to properly live. P.S. I'm loving your channel, keep up the great content! I've watched and subscribed to many minimalism channels over the yrs and yours is so calming, simple (in the right way) and motivational 😊
Thank you, Becky! And thank you for sharing your experience with simplifying life. I think switching to a job outdoors would be such a blessing! My husband did the same and he loves it.
I just found your channel recently & I want to echo some other comments: I love your calm spirit! And while I am not at all a "Type A" (more of a recovering messy/lazy/unplanned person that now has to make myself sit down and take breaks during the day and have a newfound love for systems and minimalism), I have always struggled with overachieving that I believe stems from people pleasing. Ive slowly been trying to step out of that and pressing into the Lord as the One that deserves the focus and glory in all my doings. I am a life long "Sabbath keeper", but even I feel like there is much still to be learned from others. I dont really feel like it gets "easier" because it is so contrary to human nature to stop and accept that God is in control and we are not. Its a good weekly reminder of true surrender and a reflection on how the world began. I love that. Thanks for the awesome content! I realized I'm still stressed out because I have been working against myself. I purge, then get more thrifted finds, purge again and so on and so forth... Need to work on that!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your perspective and experiences! I love getting to hear the perspective of some many different types of women. That's so interesting to hear about your experience with Sabbath. I've found it difficult to maintain and to keep trusting, week after week. It actually helps to hear it doesn't necessarily get easier! I'm thinking about recording a year of preparing for Sabbath (I don't want to film on actual Sabbath), but I feel like a chronicle of learning to both prepare for and consistently practice Sabbath (with all its ups and downs) could be helpful for people. Thank you for being here! I'm so happy you've joined the community :)
I am a teacher in a new school, new grade levels, in a new state. There's so much in this transitional time of life, and I'm trying to reduce my overwhelm. Simplifying always makes me calmer. Thank you for your video--it brought me a lot of peace tonight.
Thank you Alison for sharing! That’s a lot of change all at once. And teaching is one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. I can only imagine what that adjustment has been like.
u r amazing. im so glad i found your channel. i literally have been fighting to make even small changes in my life. my spouse too! we did it differently and didn’t plan it but now im taking our changes and moving forward to minimize our life. i have been wanting peace. i have finally started to understand how to reach that and i feel so validated. minimal lifestyle- here we come
I am loving your messages and videos! We downsized our home last year after years of decluttering and trying out minimalism and surprisingly my whole family loves our tiny little white cottage. I will never go back to a big house. I find house chores, gardening and cleaning a joy now because there is just right balance. I am still working on the other things you spoke about and appreciated every one of your points and the way you articulated them.
I've just begun to simplify our meals and I just found your videos and here you are describing almost to a "T", what I'm attempting to do!! How wonderful to find like-minded people. Thank you for sharing!
Totally agree! I love finding like-minded people too. If you'd like to learn more about my approach to meals, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/VfM_q5hZoUE/видео.htmlsi=pgYbx8-2TX2PIgMG
I am so thankful for your honesty and authenticity. Your spirit is very calming and I am a fellow stay at home mom just learning the laundry learning curve as well!
i have four outfits ~ work/chores, yoga, a pair of jeans and a t~shirt, and a night shirt...i hate doing laundry...so i only actually wear work and yoga...all outfits hang on hooks on the back of my bedroom door...my dressers are where i keep photo albums, crafts materials, tools, dvds, and dry goods for SHTF..but i'm old, retiredish, and single lol
Could you share your source for the “intentional promotion of consumerism as a core American value” that you shared in this video? This is so fascinating to me: something I’ve definitely noticed as a major shift in American culture over the last century, and it’s so interesting to see it was intentional. Thank you!
Absolutely! I read about it in "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer. I'll make sure it's linked in the description. He addresses it in the chapter on Simplicity, beginning on page 181. He makes multiple references to his own sources, which are available in the book notes at the back. It's a great book and I've found many others that I loved through his sources. Highly recommend!
@@papertownhome Thank you! It's in my library request list now. I've already used this anecdote in many conversations so it will be nice to actually know what I'm talking about ;)
As an European who has lived in America, I can tell you that the amount of consumerism experienced by American families will blow the mind of any average European… the need to purchase every gadget, the impulsive buying, the accumulation of stuff, the size of the houses (and the cars lol) it’s a lot! I think that consumerism is too high pretty much everywhere in the developed world, but in the US it’s just an entirely different level!
@@slopesmonte Thanks for your insight. We are more "minimal-ish" than true minimalist (my husband is a collector LOL!) and yet I still feel our approach to life and acquiring things is so out of step with most of the people around me...which is interesting because even though we are intentional about our things, I still feel like it's quite a lot! I'm curious, as a European, do you notice and/or experience the same consumerist apporach to childhood? Here in America, it's become common for childhood to be an almost frenetic race to cram as much "enrichment" into children's lives as possible: tons of extracurricular activities, toys, "learning projects" while not in school. Is that common in Europe, as well? Or is it more slow?
This was a great video! I really enjoyed it. I like how you expressed the idea of fighting back so to speak on these cultural things that are demanding so much attention, money, etc
No wonder things have spiralled in my household the past couple of years 😱 I’ve been doing school runs to two different schools, getting them out first thing, then my work etc one son has been out of school most of this year due to mental health. So this did simplify our mornings only doing one school run. However, that has started to go wrong as he won’t be rushed in the mornings (especially as his brother gets to stay at home). We managed to get temporary agreement from the school to come in late in the mornings but this was still causing chaos with me being able to start work on time. I know they’re too much rushing and that’s stressful for all of us.
I do my washing every day too! It’s so much easier to cope with 👏 My main reason was that I never had enough room to hang up and dry loads of washing that accumulated over days.
I love your message….I wish this discussion was being said in the late 80’s 90’s….more young families need to hear it now for sure. Blessings to you and your husband and your sweet babies….you made the right choice. ❤️Clearwater FL
No leftovers in this house. I know it is not practical for every home but leftovers are hard to digest. Also means no Tupperware, etc., cluttering up the kitchen!
As a mother of two kids now in college I think recognizing that life has it's seasons is REALLY important and something I was too tired to "get" when they were little. Diapers season does end! But, so do sticky hugs and picnics in the living room so enjoy!
Preach sister! I strongly relate to the "too tired to get" comment. It's amazing how much sleep disruption limits my processing power.
Meals on rotation is such a fabulous way to simplify. I chose 10 meals that our family loves. With one dinner a week pick up, one dinner each week being leftovers, this gives us 2 weeks of meals. That means we are only eating the same meals twice a month. We do it seasonally for 3 months at a time. If I get inspired, I can try a new meal but I don’t have to continually do that. This also tremendously simplifies my grocery shopping process. Win/win.
I like that approach. Thanks for sharing!
sabbath is BANG! i've been doing it for a year now and i love it...i turn off all electronics, use candlelight and flashlights, read books, sleep, and since i cook extra food on friday morning, i eat as much as i want, and it seems so counter intuitive like you would be losing a whole day without answering emails or scrolling through the internet, i actually feel like i'm gaining a whole day! ruthless elimination of hurry was what inspired me to try it and it's been amazing!
When I packed up my home, for a season, and moved to China with 2 suitcases and a carry-on I was never more at peace. I had only what I needed, and I had so much time to spend learning new skills for my education career, enjoying friends, and just thinking. I returned home and started throwing stuff out. I didn’t even unpack the clothes I had left behind. I had curated a core wardrobe of just a few pieces in coordinated colors and found getting ready (not to mention doing laundry) was so much easier.
Your videos have saved me….🥹 I just recently quit my teaching job to become a stay at home mom with my 2 yr old and 10 month old. I just can’t even express what your videos have meant to me….looking forward to watching more. 🫶🏼
I'm so glad! It’s a big transition and leap of faith. There are many ups and downs, but I hope I can keep supporting other moms through it!
Sabbath-style rest for 24 hours is a great tip!
and EXACTLY....it took me a few weeks of trying and assessing what worked and what i needed to plan for my sabbath to be truly restful..it has made me more INTENTIONAL with my week and what i expose myself to...i made the mistake early on of listening to my ricky martin cd before i turned off my power and spent my sabbath having my brain bothering me with livin la vida loca lol
I've watched this twice now and resonate with it so much. I went from a crazy corporate career that took over my life to what some would probably consider a basic job working outdoors but the freedom and home life is incredible. Everything in my life now is minimalised over a 2 yr period and I wish I'd done it sooner. Minimalism for me has allowed me to properly live.
P.S. I'm loving your channel, keep up the great content! I've watched and subscribed to many minimalism channels over the yrs and yours is so calming, simple (in the right way) and motivational 😊
Thank you, Becky! And thank you for sharing your experience with simplifying life. I think switching to a job outdoors would be such a blessing! My husband did the same and he loves it.
I just found your channel recently & I want to echo some other comments: I love your calm spirit!
And while I am not at all a "Type A" (more of a recovering messy/lazy/unplanned person that now has to make myself sit down and take breaks during the day and have a newfound love for systems and minimalism), I have always struggled with overachieving that I believe stems from people pleasing. Ive slowly been trying to step out of that and pressing into the Lord as the One that deserves the focus and glory in all my doings.
I am a life long "Sabbath keeper", but even I feel like there is much still to be learned from others. I dont really feel like it gets "easier" because it is so contrary to human nature to stop and accept that God is in control and we are not. Its a good weekly reminder of true surrender and a reflection on how the world began. I love that.
Thanks for the awesome content! I realized I'm still stressed out because I have been working against myself. I purge, then get more thrifted finds, purge again and so on and so forth... Need to work on that!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your perspective and experiences! I love getting to hear the perspective of some many different types of women. That's so interesting to hear about your experience with Sabbath. I've found it difficult to maintain and to keep trusting, week after week. It actually helps to hear it doesn't necessarily get easier! I'm thinking about recording a year of preparing for Sabbath (I don't want to film on actual Sabbath), but I feel like a chronicle of learning to both prepare for and consistently practice Sabbath (with all its ups and downs) could be helpful for people.
Thank you for being here! I'm so happy you've joined the community :)
I am a teacher in a new school, new grade levels, in a new state. There's so much in this transitional time of life, and I'm trying to reduce my overwhelm. Simplifying always makes me calmer. Thank you for your video--it brought me a lot of peace tonight.
Thank you Alison for sharing! That’s a lot of change all at once. And teaching is one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had. I can only imagine what that adjustment has been like.
u r amazing. im so glad i found your channel. i literally have been fighting to make even small changes in my life. my spouse too! we did it differently and didn’t plan it but now im taking our changes and moving forward to minimize our life. i have been wanting peace. i have finally started to understand how to reach that and i feel so validated. minimal lifestyle- here we come
I am loving your messages and videos! We downsized our home last year after years of decluttering and trying out minimalism and surprisingly my whole family loves our tiny little white cottage. I will never go back to a big house. I find house chores, gardening and cleaning a joy now because there is just right balance. I am still working on the other things you spoke about and appreciated every one of your points and the way you articulated them.
Thanks Larissa!! That’s so cool that you had a good experience with downsizing. Such good inspiration!
❤ yes!
I've just begun to simplify our meals and I just found your videos and here you are describing almost to a "T", what I'm attempting to do!! How wonderful to find like-minded people. Thank you for sharing!
Totally agree! I love finding like-minded people too.
If you'd like to learn more about my approach to meals, check out this video: ruclips.net/video/VfM_q5hZoUE/видео.htmlsi=pgYbx8-2TX2PIgMG
@@papertownhomeOoh thank you! ♥
Love that you included that opening quote. I love Dallas Willard.
I am so thankful for your honesty and authenticity. Your spirit is very calming and I am a fellow stay at home mom just learning the laundry learning curve as well!
Oh, thank you so much for saying that! It's so special to get to connect with other moms slugging it out and striving to live intentionally. :)
i have four outfits ~ work/chores, yoga, a pair of jeans and a t~shirt, and a night shirt...i hate doing laundry...so i only actually wear work and yoga...all outfits hang on hooks on the back of my bedroom door...my dressers are where i keep photo albums, crafts materials, tools, dvds, and dry goods for SHTF..but i'm old, retiredish, and single lol
Just discovered your channel and I love it! ❤
Yay! Thank you!
Could you share your source for the “intentional promotion of consumerism as a core American value” that you shared in this video? This is so fascinating to me: something I’ve definitely noticed as a major shift in American culture over the last century, and it’s so interesting to see it was intentional. Thank you!
Absolutely! I read about it in "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer. I'll make sure it's linked in the description. He addresses it in the chapter on Simplicity, beginning on page 181. He makes multiple references to his own sources, which are available in the book notes at the back. It's a great book and I've found many others that I loved through his sources. Highly recommend!
@@papertownhome Thank you! It's in my library request list now. I've already used this anecdote in many conversations so it will be nice to actually know what I'm talking about ;)
@@kathrynwind4366 Totally get that! I like diving deeper too. :)
As an European who has lived in America, I can tell you that the amount of consumerism experienced by American families will blow the mind of any average European… the need to purchase every gadget, the impulsive buying, the accumulation of stuff, the size of the houses (and the cars lol) it’s a lot! I think that consumerism is too high pretty much everywhere in the developed world, but in the US it’s just an entirely different level!
@@slopesmonte Thanks for your insight. We are more "minimal-ish" than true minimalist (my husband is a collector LOL!) and yet I still feel our approach to life and acquiring things is so out of step with most of the people around me...which is interesting because even though we are intentional about our things, I still feel like it's quite a lot!
I'm curious, as a European, do you notice and/or experience the same consumerist apporach to childhood? Here in America, it's become common for childhood to be an almost frenetic race to cram as much "enrichment" into children's lives as possible: tons of extracurricular activities, toys, "learning projects" while not in school. Is that common in Europe, as well? Or is it more slow?
Love your videos! I’m glad you chose to be home with your kids...so important...I love your meal plans too😀
Aren’t simple meals the best?! 😀🥰 Thanks for always watching and encouraging! It means a lot!
I just found your channel, and I am absolutely loving your videos! Thank you for creating so much value-filled, beautiful content!
Thank you so much! And welcome!!
Oh what an amazing channel ❤
This is the video I needed.
This was a great video! I really enjoyed it. I like how you expressed the idea of fighting back so to speak on these cultural things that are demanding so much attention, money, etc
Thank you! And thanks for watching!
No wonder things have spiralled in my household the past couple of years 😱 I’ve been doing school runs to two different schools, getting them out first thing, then my work etc one son has been out of school most of this year due to mental health. So this did simplify our mornings only doing one school run. However, that has started to go wrong as he won’t be rushed in the mornings (especially as his brother gets to stay at home). We managed to get temporary agreement from the school to come in late in the mornings but this was still causing chaos with me being able to start work on time. I know they’re too much rushing and that’s stressful for all of us.
GREAT Video which needs so much more views!!! Thank you very much
Thank you!
Really good video, thanks
i need a rotating menu. im over it!
Thank you for sharing
I do my washing every day too! It’s so much easier to cope with 👏 My main reason was that I never had enough room to hang up and dry loads of washing that accumulated over days.
Another great point!
Beautiful way to live
Such great tips.
I love your message….I wish this discussion was being said in the late 80’s 90’s….more young families need to hear it now for sure.
Blessings to you and your husband and your sweet babies….you made the right choice. ❤️Clearwater FL
I totally agree! I wish I’d heard it growing up. It would’ve helped to be more prepared.
Can you show what you usually eat in a day or week for the simple meals??
Yes of course! I'll try to do that soon.
New sub here ✨ blessings
Hi 👋! Welcome!
Hate naps too!
😅
Haha 😂
❤
😂 don’t go beeping for me❤
Haha 😂
It was the swear that "earned" my sub. I laughed and hit the button immediately.
All the best insh'Allah, as muslims, we love Jesus too 😊
Great suggestions. Just one more. The rest of the world thinks 1800 sqft is huge!
Love your channel
Thank you! Thanks for being here!
No leftovers in this house. I know it is not practical for every home but leftovers are hard to digest. Also means no Tupperware, etc., cluttering up the kitchen!
I had no idea they were harder to digest! That’s so interesting. I wonder why?
If you'd like to simplify your videos, you could leave the music out. I'd appreciate it a lot.
Haha, good one. I'll definitely consider it! ;)
❤