Livin' Simple

Blog This have issued a New Year challenge:

So smile! It's a brand new year! Enter in your picture of your new years eve, or your first picture of 2011! Feel free to mix it up a bit too, maybe you want to show us a picture that represents what you hope 2011 will hold, or what surprises came around in 2010.

I did have some nice New Year's Day photos of my lovely brothers (and sisters)-in-law building a pool for me and my smiling boy, but then I came across the following couple of photos, and they really made me think about my 2011.

I've never been much good at New Year's resolutions. With the glaring exception of consistent weight loss, if I put my mind to something, I will generally achieve it, but these achievements don't tend to correspond with the start of a new year.

So this year, I didn't make any resolutions, but I have resolved to continue changing my life in 2011. In one simple way.

Those of who that know me, and that have followed my strange journey this year will know that I have made some big life changes. Situations and events I had taken for granted before were suddenly unimportant, and I realised what was important, what I really wanted out of life.

And that's simplicity. To have the time and (sadly, but it is necessary) the financial security to enjoy the simple things in life.

Many of the aspects of this lifestyle I am all but craving are represented in these photos.

This photo, of assorted berries, potatoes, garlic and peas picked from my garden represents the connection I have with food (not always positive, but definitely so in this case), and the assurance and independence that I feel when I know exactly where my food has come from.

Over the last couple of years, Anthony and I have been replacing the plants in our garden with food-bearing plants. I am planning a post dedicated to it, but I wanted to mention that the more food I get from my own garden, the better I feel.
I would love nothing more than to be able to live year-round with little to no dependence on others for food. I'd settle for some kind of barter/market system with like-minded people, but how wonderful to know exactly what's going into your mouth!

And this photo represents the other things that I now find I am constantly craving. A tranquil, bush setting; time away from home/the city with my family; simple pleasures like a bonfire (or just a night away from the TV!); and holidays: the creation of those great memories that last far longer than any TV show, game or book ever could. One of the most comforting things for me after Sam died was knowing that he had led a full and happy (if short) life, and had been on lots of holidays!

So that's what I'm resolving to do. Not just this year, but from this year on. Simple living, lots of memories, holidays, and hopefully, a quiet bush place that I can call home. 

(Don't tell anyone, but if I have to make my bush retreat the house I live in now, I will, but really, I'm still hoping for that windfall that will get my my 50+ acres near the sea!)

I'm going to do my best to avoid the toxic people in my life, work just enough to get us where we need to be, and most of all, enjoy life.

I guess in the end that is a resolution. But it's one I think I can live with.

Happy New Year.