Source: Pinterest
I’ve been reading much lately about living a ‘simple life’ one not complicated by the expectations of society. Not the ‘declutter’ fad that seems to be growing as fast as Ikea can create imaginative ways to store it all. I’m not thinking of matching fabric covered boxes held in shelving units made especially for them or 100 ways to declutter your kitchen. It doesn’t mean giving away all our possessions and living in a teepee either, I’m not certain what our version of a ‘simple’ life will look like but it’s really starting to excite me.
The very beginning of “Renovating Italy” came about through a plan to one day rebuild our dream village, to bring it back to life and recreate everything that was lost. We had no idea how we would achieve this and still don’t. The dream grew independently from this point, everything we have worked toward has been with this idea in the back of our minds.
My husband Salvatore (Sam) saw the success of his Community garden project, one that had taken years to get off the ground and through council.We saw first hand how a community can come together and create something wonderful, what a rich source of knowledge the older members of the group were. It was a joy and a surprise for all of us to see the toddlers playing in the dirt and our own children eating vegetables straight from the garden.
This is partly what we want to bring to our house in Veravo, a place for visitors to experience first hand the joys of living a ‘rustic’ life in the mountains. We have many plans and have sat up most nights talking and creating our dream, I’m sure we won’t be short on volunteers or visitors.
So what is a ‘simple life’ and why does it have such appeal for so many? I asked this question on our Renovating Italy facebook page and the answers were varied yet all with the same theme…..time to just do nothing at all, home grown food, less time on computers and TV, moments to share with friends and family, even something as easy to achieve as a good book and a comfortable chair.
We have been unknowingly living a simple life for years now, it comes with renovating, our need for ‘things’ slowly released it’s strangle hold. I had no choice really as most of my treasures have been in boxes for numerous moves, this last big move to Italy has us pared down to a handful of stored boxes for each of our lives to date. We will head off with a few suitcases and the only thing that will follow later are Sam’s tools and Luca’s dinosaurs.
This is an adventure, we are stepping into the unknown….creating life as it happens!
Source: Pinterest
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This is what you thought…..
Carla Ann Coulson Friends, food, fresh air and love…
Ingrid Christensen Doing what makes you happy
Catherine McNamara No machines, no cars, a piano, then a belly-laugh with a friend
Cathy Raso My simple life would be to going back to the roots, and live off the land like they used to. And watching the world go by without a care!
A Cook Not Mad Eating only what you can grow yourself.
Jeff Kerwin Focusing on the simple pleasures available all around us. Rather than big pleasures we’re taught to chase after and pay for.
Tracy Robinson Living a simple life, less social media, more books, enjoying and appreciating nature… Simple dinners with family and friends, long walks, less car time, holding hands with my fiance, snuggling with my pooch, laying on the grass watching the clouds go by, needing less material items… I already started practicing this over a year and a half ago, with the exception of social media and it has been amazing!
Sandy Birch Like Tracy, avoiding the need for social media is my goal, but spending time with friends and family is the most rewarding aspect of my life, plus trying new things, stretching the boundaries a little and moving out of my comfort zone!
Ryrie Wild Strolling on a beach; playing with my grandson; looking in second-hand stores; reading in a comfy chair in the shade; cooking a lovely meal for family or friends; wishing wells; taking photos of whatever takes my fancy……..
Lourayne Mahood Time with my sons, friends and cats. Beautiful food and wine. Good bread.Clean,crisp linen.Triple milled soap. Fresh flowers. Smiles
For The Love Of Italy Wild rosemary. A glass of wine. The setting sun. And soon afterward… fireflies. Soulful conversation with my best friend. A fresh breeze dancing amongst clothes decorating the clothesline. I’ve seen all these things at once. I don’t sound too demanding, do I?
Jos Parkinson To me it means finding joy in the simple things. Like taking time sit with a cup of tea & look at the beautiful flowers in my garden. Enjoying a walk along the beach with my family & thinking how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful country.
Michelle M Burke Living a simple life, what does it mean to me? I’ve been searching for this and I think, maybe I’ve found it…to live in the country, and breath in the fresh air, the peace, the birds, the kids running around and just being themselves..loving each other and having appreciation for what we have been given x
Bronwyn Marquardt To be happy with the things I have rather than worried about what I don’t have. To be grateful for the joy and beauty in life, nature, my children and our world. To enjoy the simple things in life – good food, a roof over our heads, safe water to drink, each other, pets, friends, family and love. Oh and chocolate. It’s nice to have chocolate.
Sarah Ager For me, a simple life is being content with what you have and taking great pleasure in the small things even if it’s just a cup of tea after a long walk or extra froth on your cappuccino! If I have the opportunity in the future, I’d love to grow my own vegetables and herbs. I think growing your own food would make you really appreciate the taste & value because you put so much effort into it. I don’t know if others feel the same.
Susan Heslington As long as I’m happy inside, who cares that I have to cut my own hair, ride public transport, wear the same clothes for a few years…. just as long as I’m happy.. xxx
Judith A. Greenwood For me it is living within one’s means, not only financial, but physical and emotional as well. It’s never guaranteed, but when it is possible you have nothing to wish for but world peace and an end to hunger. Really.
Jeannie Marshall A simple life would be (if only I could achieve it) one without clutter and fridge magnets and dust. It would have big stacks of books, comfortable leather chairs and good reading lamps. Doesn’t sound so hard to achieve once you write it down.
Karen-Louise Taylor The simple life is making the best of what you have & trying to be as self sufficient as possible. A life where possessions are not as important as friendships.
Monica Cesarato simple life is to take each day as a gift and treasure it!
I’d love to hear more about your idea’s for living a ‘simple life”and if you are achieving them…leave us your thoughts x
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
It is hard to pinpoint what exactly makes a simpler life. I think your readers have covered some great ideas. My view is that we need friends and family to nourish our souls, food to sustain us and a roof over our heads.
Cathy recently posted..Como
So true Cathy and also the time to enjoy each of these, perhaps it is getting away from the relentless stream of online information and noise?
love lisa x
PS I’m so enjoying reading everyone’s ideas and what it is that has them lead a fulfilled life that they love x
Hi Lisa–For me it’s focusing on people instead of money and things. Staying out of big box stores. Cultivating a friendship with the roving vendor. Savoring a coffee with a neighbor. Celebrating a saint’s day with fellow villagers. xxxxxx
jann recently posted..Ten Things to be Thankful for in Sicily
Absolutely all those things and so much more, xxx
Cara Lisa, Living a simple life, I think, has to do with knowing what’s important. And that’s different for everyone. My ‘simple’ though has to do with being in a place that gives me all I need just walking down the street. Doing simple everyday things that feel rich beyond compare. Greeting people who look at you and you look at them and there’s a connection. Italy’s as close as I come to that feeling. I think you’d agree. xx
Janine recently posted..So many doors, so little time
Just beautiful Janine, a connection with people and place is so important. Perhaps being in the moment and appreciation for what we have, a gifting of what we don’t need, and looking for ways to improve the world for our children each day xx
I’m so happy for you guys! I’m hoping someday I’ll be able to join you in that village and enjoy the simple life also. Until then it is work, work, work to have $$ to get me to that simple life place I want to be.
Kelly recently posted..A New Opportunity
thanks Kelly, I think we have been living with this in mind for such a long time that we have gotten into the habit of saying ‘oh no we don’t really need that cause we’re moving to Italy’. I see how easily we can just spend more time with our children, our daughter recently learned to do cross stitch with her Nona and next time she visits is going to teach her to knit….she didn’t even look at the TV for days LOL x
Lisa Chiodo recently posted..Casa Colleverde – a stunning transformation
I try and try and try Lisa… I think the next step for me will be trying to find a more simpler work life… Thanks for linking my photography site, you are so lovely for doing that! Great post!
Hey Tracy I had no idea you had these other web sites, it was funny as I skimmed over the page and saw an image which looked like yours LOL I’m making a links page for the blog and will pop you in as well. Hope all is okay with you and your Mum recovers soon x
our simple life is basically living with each other where ever we are, with whatever we have. No stuff to tie us down, no material possessions that take up too much dust in our life(style) and only having what we need.
Getting rid of the useless stuff means we are truly living.
Lisa wood recently posted..Milk Books :: Customized Photo Books + Free Giveaway
Wow Lisa I saw this so perfectly today at Westfield when all I wanted to do was GET OUT as soon as possible. Christmas seems to mean nothing more than the latest sale, I didn’t want anything till I went in and then started looking at all those nice items I’d just ‘love’ to have….but don’t need and can’t afford!! We are selling everything, in fact today I sold the kids school uniforms LOL x
Simplifying my life means slowing down, taking time to be with people I love and doing the things I love; de-cluttering my surroundings and my mind and taking off the suit of armour – ahhhh – so liberating. See you soon. F x
Francesca Muir recently posted..A Scotland Island affair
It seems to be all about connecting, with our friends family and environment. Needing less and enjoying more, that suit of armour must go!! See you in Sydney, very excited to see where this new venture takes us!!
love lisa x
Lisa Chiodo recently posted..Villa de Vecchi – the dream
…. fewer bills, less paperwork. A coffee at a cafe where you catch up with friends and people you know. A head that’s not full of chatter, that has space and time to feel creative. An afternoon painting. A morning in the garden. Time to prepare and cook a meal with care instead of on the run. Tenderly picking vegies you’ve grown yourself. A late afternoon drink. A television that doesn’t work. A laptop that’s used like a good book. A good book because you can’t take a laptop in the bath. Candlelight. Fresh sheets … eeewww Lisa I can feel a blog post coming on. Thanks for the inspiration x
Margaret recently posted..Hill End and a tale of seduction …
How fabulous Margaret, if you do a post let me know and I’ll link to you!! A TV that doesn’t work sounds like perfection, and I would love to have a bath so I can go and read, now we have a shower so the only place to escape the brood is the loo! Definitely fresh sheets, an open window with a light breeze, nowhere to get and plenty of time to get there! ciao love lisa x
Lisa Chiodo recently posted..The Italian Dream – we book the tickets
I think my simple life involves a lot of beer, wine and computer programming.
Cheers
currybadger recently posted..Sydney CBD
how on earth did you come up with the name Mr Currybadger? Great to see you are ‘down under’ and you certainly won’t have to look far for that first simple pleasure, great to meet you ciao lisa
Good question, I wanted to call myself the Honeybadger, but I ended up in India when I finally decided to make the blog. So I decided Currybadger would be more appropriate. And in India, everyone calls you Mr or Ms, so I sandwiched these things into my name.
currybadger recently posted..Sydney CBD
Classic I love it! Our little boy Luca calls me Mr Mum…
What a happy chance that you started blogging in India!!
x
Hi Lisa
It was lovely to meet you yesterday at Carla’s workshop! Wasn’t it fantastic? Actually, you’ll laugh at this, you know how we had so much time at the airport last night? Well we nearly missed our flight! Take care. Catherine
On no how funny, I limped all the way to gate 38 and realized it was departing from gated 32 grrr. I hope you didn’t fall asleep LOL. The workshop was fantastic and I am taking time to put my notes in some order and start getting everything in place to get published. Hubby has set me a challenge so I need to get on the ball.
If you need any help with the blog let me know xxx
PS. Hope you foot is feeling better. And I have been thinking about setting up a blog all day…..!
Catherine
Fantastic, you need to set up a domain name and go from that point, someone who is a guru for us bloggers is Darren Rowse from Problogger, also Blog Tyrant has lots of easy to follow information and a great forum type comment system to get questions answered. From the workshop I know that Francesca Muir has a blog and so does Deb Kolka and of course Carla.
The foot is bruised but okay and I am going to the police today to make a further statement!!
xxx
Thank you Lisa! I’ve set up domain name
. Off I go!
Great post! I have been looking into ways to simplify life for a while now. For me it is trading money for time. Earning less to live more. Having the time to see the sun rise, being mindful about your acts, watching what you grow, cooking it, eating it, being sustainable… I recently bought a little house in Guatemala that I am renovating with some hens and a garden, that dream is taking shape.
Pauline recently posted..How to refinance your mortgage?
thanks Pauline, your home in Guatemala sounds fantastic and the perfect spot to realize that dream! Why Guatemala, I have to admit I know nothing about it and you have totally got me fascinated now LOL xxx
I’ve been pondering this so much, Lisa. Moving to Australia necessarily meant giving away/selling 90% of what I owned and had treasured for so many years. It was GUTTING!! But once I got on the plane I felt so light and free. Now that I’m settled again I’m realizing that for me simplicity is not being frantic. Not in spirit, not in thought, not in lifestyle. For me it is quiet, steady, purposeful, and responsive rather than reactive. When I do manage to live like this it doesn’t matter if my house is cluttered and the farm needing a tidy-up, my soul feels simple and that is good.
xo
Krista recently posted..Roasted Veggies and a Quiet Weekend On the Farm
Simple for me is having my family close by, food in my belly and a smile on my face. The rest, well it’s just cream. xo
Great post Lisa.
Melissa {Suger} recently posted..Planning a Work Out {+ Linky}