When Chris and I finally decided to simplify our lives and even start this website, the idea seemed revolutionary, but as I stop and consider the steps that brought us here, I realize that we’ve been working our way toward a simpler life for years. Maybe it was when we had our first child and realized that time was not abundant. Each day seemed to slip quickly into the next.
Maybe it was when we upgraded our house only to find that cleaning it was a chore that I didn’t enjoy. Nor did I enjoy the constant sense of it not being done, the idea that somehow every inch of it needed to be improved-drapery treatments, artwork, wood flooring, crown molding, covered patio, swimming pool. The list of things that we talked about adding grew faster than our bank account. It left us feeling constantly behind. Behind what? I don’t know, but I soon learned that I needed to curb my fascination with home improvement shows because they made me constantly think about what needed to change.
There was also the satisfaction that came with paying off our car. That was nice. Did we look longingly at new cars and dream of owning one? Yes. Was the dream enough to make us get back into car debt? Nooooo. I enjoy my reliable, slightly dinged car, and enjoying that car, with its cracked windshield and torn armrest has made me appreciate things that are good enough-maybe not top of the line, but paid for and mine.
These gradual realizations have brought us to our current state of getting rid of stuff and deciding what we truly love and can’t live without. And with each realization, each stage of simplifying, we’re getting closer to realizing our dream. I can feel it.
What has inspired you to become a Suburbia Rebel? Was it having a child and dreaming of being at home with your baby? Was it a desire to avoid rush hour traffic and wear your bunny slippers to work? Was it the dream of jumping off the corporate ladder and pursing that thing that inspires you? Whatever the catalyst, please share. We want to hear from you. I want to hear from you. True stories inspire, and your story could help the rest of us on our journeys toward simplifying our lives.
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