F is for Freedom: A-Z of Simple Living

This January, we’re taking an in-depth look at the why and how of simplicity with the A-Z of Simple Living. If you want to make 2015 the year you create a simpler, slower life, why not join us?

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I am not a natural organiser. I am a procrastinator, a pile-maker, a do-it-laterer. I battle with my inner-creative - the one who wants to create and make messes and damn the consequences - on a daily basis.In fact, part of me wishes I could outsource all my organising to someone else. Happily paying someone else to come into my life to organise everything - meals, finances, wardrobes, housework, storage, toys, photos, schedules, health.Leaving me with the fun stuff - family time, holidays, weekends, play, afternoons on the deck drinking gin and tonic.How's that for freedom?Sounds fabulous, except for one thing. Those meals, the finances, the clothes we wear, the housework, the schedules - it's called life.And I wouldn't want to outsource life. As much as I battle with being organised, I sure as hell wouldn't want to miss out on life. Or the beauty of living that life fully.So the housework, the meals, the finances, the laundry, the schedules? They have to stay. Because the exciting, wondrous, beautiful parts wouldn't be so exciting or beautiful or wondrous without the everyday and the mundane.

And This is Where Simple Living Comes In...

So I get organised. I simplify. I pare back. Declutter. Drop expectations. Find what works for us and go that way - not some other, socially accepted path.Simple living is all about creating time and space.Time to relax, spend with friends, relish the company of your loved ones, pursue a passion, do fulfilling work, help others.And space to enjoy the things that matter, highlight what's important, dream, create, feel contentment and joy and happiness.In other words - freedom.This is the freedom we aspire to here. On this blog. In this community.We simplify and organise so that we can experience life fully. It gives us the space, the time - the freedom - to embrace life completely. Housework, laundry, warts and all.Choosing to live a simpler life means we are not weighed down by the clutter, the stress, the guilt, so we have the freedom to really live.And it's beautiful.(A side note: I am acutely aware that this level of freedom is not afforded millions of people. For so many (too many), freedom may be the choice to vote or to attend school or live without fear. I am not being flip about their freedom.)Also, don’t forget that registration for A Simple Year closes on January 10. If you want to join us and make 2015 your simplest year yet, head over to simpleyear.co and find out more.