Simple. Sustainable. Significant. At least two of those words are quite trendy at the moment. There was a time when I sort of puked in my mouth over them, simply because they are so overused. After much contemplation, trendy though they may be, these are words that I desire to describe the kind of life that I lead. As soon as I quit being a person who was always pretending not to be “in to” trends and decided it’s perfectly fine to be like everyone else (more on that later), I settled in to this idea of living simply, sustainably and significantly like I settle into my big grey comfy couch every morning by 9 a.m. For years, the dream of owning 3 acres of land to live off of has been growing in my soul. I go there when I day dream – I walk my property on an early summer morning, admiring the 100-year-old Oaks as I breathe in the dewy air that smells of new mercies and hay (also, poop). I greet the cows good morning and collect a few eggs for breakfast. Before I return inside, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, thankful for another day to work the earth, kiss my husband, love my children, and also probably deal with a big heap of whatever kind of crazy life is serving in that particular season. My life is not busy or frantic (it is simple), my existence creates more than it consumes (sustainable), and my moments are meaningful and filled with intention (significant). Dreaming is good. Dreaming is healthy. Escapism is not. That’s why I waited to start this journey and this blog. For a while, this dream was a way to deal with my reality; the hope of escape from frantic and consumptive city-living kept me going. I’ve always been an observant person, though, and I’ve seen a cycle in the lives of strangers and loved ones alike: become discontent with current reality, dream of another reality, move or change to try to create the new reality, repeat. I’m determined not to replicate this cycle in my own life. Even the loftiest dreams fulfilled does not equal contentment. If I am not content in my townhouse, I won’t be content in 3 Acres. Contentment is not something to attain. It is a state of being to cultivate. It is mine to decide I am. I didn’t want to start a blog until I got that truth through my men’s-large-sized-skull (my hat options are just abysmal, guys). I think I have, and so, here we are. 3 Acres is a long way off, for many reasons. Instead of letting the distance keep me dormant, I’m choosing to let it motivate me to fill the space and time with effort. “The time will pass anyway,” as they say. I do not have to live on 3 Acres to start living simply, or sustainably, or significantly. I can live that way now, and ironically if I do, I may be able to close the gap between Townhouse and 3 Acres. So I’m starting down the long road, friends, and I’m inviting you to watch at least, and join me at most. Will you join me?
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Maddi AllenOregonian, woman, wife, mom, business owner, photographer, and writer in pursuit of a simple, sustainable, and significant lifestyle. ArchivesCategories |