In 2003, I started a journey of simple living, although I didn't realise that was what it was at the time. Fifteen years on (and it's been a bumpy ride!) I finally got my blogging act together. After several neglected attempts I've created this simple living blog so I can share my journey and connect with others doing the same.
Going back to 2003, my Dad had discovered a website called eBay. He'd been selling some things out of his home and garage. I signed up too. Then, my brother and I started looking for things to sell.
That was the beginning of discovering the joy in un-peeling the layers of stuff we accumulate in our lives. In removing all the physical badges of who we are and finding ourselves naked and vulnerable – and neglected – underneath it all.
My whole approach to "stuff" has changed radically in the last 15 years, and yet I can see that I still have a way to go on this journey.
Decluttering and living a simple life isn't a goal. It's a habit that must be cultivated and practised and worked on through the ups and downs of life. There is no rush, and there is no right or wrong way to go about it.
I started a minimalist themed blog four years ago called Love Minimalism, but I didn't maintain it after the first few months. A more complicated life got in the way and I stopped writing about my simple living discoveries due to difficult personal circumstances (I suffered several miscarriages in a row). But my own journey continued regardless, and I am still so passionate about the benefits of owning less and living a more intentional life.
So this week, very suddenly, I decided to start up again and create a simple living blog that would be a permanent part of my life.
Recently I have been working with a business coach for my freelance work (web design and hosting). I was struggling with not being able to meet demand and I initially wanted to talk about scaling my business the right way. However it turned out after a lot of debate and thought that my heart wasn't really in it. Building a simple living community is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I don't know why I needed permission to go ahead and start. Sometimes I get so stuck on doing what's right, I fail to consider what I really want.
Living a more simple life has been with me for 15 years and I am more enthusiastic about the benefits of it today that I have ever been.
It's such a cliché to say "follow your passion", so I never have, always erring on the more sensible side of things. I've dabbled in it, but I've always been too scared to go all in and say THIS IS ME! This is my life, and my belief and this is who I am.
So, this time I am. I'm going all-in to create the simple living blog I wanted to create. I would love to connect with other people following their own minimalist journey, especially mums trying to juggle it all who think that there must be a better way.
I plan to build a resources area that will be helpful for everyone. If you have a simple living or clutter challenge that you can't get past, or you want to share how living with less has improved your life, please drop me a line at faye@simpledays.co.uk.
I read every email I receive.
I know that life is far from perfect, so I have created a 16 page, 10 Step Rescue Plan, for those days when the house is out of control and you just don't know how to get back on top of things.
Did I mention I was a mum of three? I know how easy it is to end up chasing your tail and feeling like you are never going to get back on top of things. I've been there many times!
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