“We get too soon old and too late smart.” ~Pennsylvania Dutch proverb
I read a large number of online blogs and a big portion of them are into minimalism and simple living. That’s wonderful because I believe there is richness to simple living that goes far beyond having less stuff. I also think that since I’ve been embracing it more and more, my life has become happier, less stressful and far more meaningful. But something I’ve noticed is that the vast majority of blogs about minimalism are written primarily by those in their twenties to thirties. And while I’m psyched to know that young adults are embracing the lifestyle, I also believe that maturity offers a perspective that should not be overlooked. In fact, it is often those who have lived through multiple choices and experiences that have the most to offer others. That’s why I thought a few perspectives from midlife should be included in any discussion about minimalism or simple living.
So what are a of few perspectives that you gain in midlife?
Being content, happy and at peace with aging (no matter what your age) is a critical minimalist practice. While it is great being young, the truth is every single one of us will spend much more of our lives NOT being young, if we are able to experience the gift of a long and healthy life. If too much of your happiness and self-image is attached to your youth (physically and mentally) you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of disappointment. Learning to appreciate yourself, your life and your experiences at any age is a huge key to simple living and minimalism.
Continue reading this post on Kathy Gottberg’s blog, Smart Living 365
Kathy Gottberg
Kathy Gottberg has been writing on all sorts of topics for over 25 years with three published books and hundreds of articles. But her passion today is exploring ideas and experiences that help to create a meaningful, sustainable, compassionate and rewarding life for herself and others. Beyond that, she lives with Thom, her best friend and soul mate of 36 years, along with their fur-baby Kloe in La Quinta, CA. Instagram: gottgreen
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Kathy @ SMART Living 365.comm
Friday 28th of February 2014
Hi Terry! Thanks to you and Christy for the comment! Isn't it true that most of us were raised with the idea that the more stuff we had the more successful we were? Only to find out of course that most of the time that "stuff" starts suffocating us--along with all the debt that comes with it.
And yes, as you say Terry, it is often a loss or other big life challenge that comes along and tells us it is time for a change. Good for you for figuring it out and moving on. ~Kathy
Terry @ Path to Simple
Friday 28th of February 2014
Christy said exactly the same thing I was going to LOL! It took the loss of a job where the owner walked away with millions and I walked away with nothing and the loss of a dear friend way before he should have gone to realize that careers and money are a fools race.
Christy King
Sunday 15th of December 2013
I'm 44. My husband and I have slowly been divesting ourselves of "stuff," and plan to downsize our home quite a bit in another year or so.
We were both raised to believe that a good job and lots of stuff were how you defined success. Our parents expected us to go to college, become professionals, get good jobs. Both of us did as we were expected to do. I don't think it ever occurred to us to do anything else. That was just the path we were set up to follow.
It took us awhile to realize that what we'd been told wasn't true. That our stuff didn't make us happy. In fact, it - and the obligations that go along with it - stress us out. They make us feel trapped.
I can't really say why this was a midlife realization for us. But at some point we realized that the things that make us happiest are free (ex: each other, learning and sharing). Others cost money but aren't stuff - kids, pets and travel. (I almost put kids in the free category then realized what a huge mistake that would be, LOL).
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.comm
Sunday 8th of December 2013
You're so right! I was fortunate and didn't have to go through both my mom's and my grandmother's possessions...but my both my mom and dad left quite a bit of stuff after they passed, and it is a difficult job (and they didn't have a huge house they'd lived in for years. And while there were a few treasures--by far most of it was "crap" that none of us daughters really wanted at all.
I like to think of it as giving it away to people who could actually use it and need it if it's been sitting around my house for a year and I haven't touched it. Plus, the advantage of having a smaller house is I simply don't have the room to store all the junk I think I might need for sometime in the future. Far better to borrow or share or not buy at all IMHO. ~Kathy
jgodsey
Saturday 7th of December 2013
after you have to get rid of all your grandmothers possession, and then your mother's possessions...you realize you really don't need most of your crap. And you vow never to make someone else have to get rid of your possessions.
I started divesting of anything i don't use everyday and don't want to leave behind for someone else to throw away.