Learning to Live with Less

Last summer our family was planning on moving overseas, so we began making preparations by selling or giving away most all our belongings. We didn’t have much to begin with but we did not want to bring furniture and kitchen gadgets with us. A change of plans from my hubby’s employer later hindered the “moving overseas” idea. So we were still in the States but with very little left of our possessions. Thankfully we had been living with family before the big move so we didn’t really need too much. However making our move to Libby MT instead of overseas, sure changed the way I use to think about needing “things.”

We moved into an old farm house equipped with lots of storage and space and ironically we had little to unpack. A mattress, no bed frame, a coffee maker and 1 mug, 1 cast iron skillet, no other dishes or utensils, a few clothes, no washer or dryer, two computers and some books, no other furniture or wall hangings. The first few days were a bit frustrating learning how to cook without much of anything, but let me tell you….I realized how much WE REALLY DON’T NEED! I’ll admit a few necessities have been purchased like a shower curtain and some dishes but we have been fortunate to find out how much we can live without. I have learned that I can estimate ingredients fairly well when cooking and don’t need a measuring cup. I’ve learned how to hang up clothes to dry on an indoor clothesline. I’ve learned that my hubby is pretty content with simple meals (he’d eat eggs at every meal everyday) and so many of my old appliances like a food processor aren’t truthfully necessary.

Most of our past belongings were things I felt like we needed but if I choose to adjust my life a bit, they aren’t. It’s the adjusting part that is so hard for us Americans. For instance what if we decided we would only make meals that didn’t require utensils for eating. Families in Africa eat millet porridge with their hands, and Indians scoop up their Dahl with chapati (flat bread). They do it in a clean way mannerly way, so why can’t we? And do we really need 12 dinner plates, when we have a family of 3? To tell you the truth we would have to stop by the thrift store for more bowls and plates if we had a guest….or I would just have to prepare finger food.

It seems weird that I would encourage people to take on a “live with less” approach, especially when many can afford “more.” But it really isn’t about money, though money is a factor for some, living with less actually makes life easier, less cluttered and less busy. I’m tired of the American image of living with every gimmick and plastic China made product that supposedly makes life better. Do we REALLY need what the media says we need? If you think that the answer is yes, just take a look at the lives of families in rural Russia, India, China, Africa, South America. Our ancestors who lived before processed foods and massed produced plastic actually lived healthy, happy, self-sufficiently and wisely.

Here is a list of some things I’ve learned to do without, just for some ideas:

• Sweeteners, I do use a bit of stevia (or honey as a rare treat) for a few things but I do not put sweetener in my daily porridge, in yogurt, in my teas, etc.
• Evening dessert, I grew up with a German Grandma who believed every dinner meal must be accompanied by each food group and a fresh baked dessert. It takes a while to ignore the craving for something sweet after your meal…but if you consider it is most likely candida cravings, meaning if you give candida a carby meal they will thrive, then you may think otherwise. Try the Asian and Middle-eastern way of drinking mint tea after your meal.
• A rubber spatula, and many other utensils. A strainer, an egg flipper, some knives, a can opener and my hands work pretty good for our family’s needs. You can peel veggies with a knife instead of a peeler. 
• A dryer. Someday if we ever learn to where less clothing, a wash board would be my dream. But for now we wash our clothes in a regular electric washing machine and then use a indoor or outdoor clothesline.
• Wall hangings and alot of furniture. We recently received a table and chairs and a couch from friends but had been contently using the ground and pillows for our table and couch. I do love to see pictures of loved ones so I tape them on the fridge, seems like other wall hangings are just too expensive for me to buy. I would rather see family artwork anyhow.
• I nice “new” looking house. As long as my house is clean, I’m happy. Buying paint, lawn, decking, new flooring, pretty curtains etc. just doesn’t seem as important to me as feeding a few hungry children around the world. 
• A food processor or blender. I use to love making nut butters, salsas, sauces and smoothies with my food processor but after giving mine away, I’ve realized I can truly live without it, I just have to adjust my regular meals a bit.