When did life become so complex?  There was a time when I was forced to live a basic lifestyle.  I did not have the money to splurge and there was just me to be concerned about.  My apartment was less disorderly because I was not bombarded with numerous belongings and clamor piercing my every day existence.  How I long to return to a more tranquil and simple way of life!

As a child, I grew up reading and watching Little House on the Prairie.  Although, living during the olden days seems as though it were more inconvenient and harsh compared to our modern world, there was simplicity.  The American pioneers, focused on adventure and family rather than “enriching” themselves with more “things” to have or do.  They may have struggled to own their own land and earn a living, but they were grateful for the small blessings.  The family was innermost to their happiness and survival.   In Little House, the Ingalls family had less money, less stuff, and their needs were minimal.  They strived to support each other through love not possessions.  They were not overwhelmed with staggering amounts of options and did not have access to instantaneous information like we do. 

Recently, I have introduced the Little House book series to my girls.  We are slowly going through each book a few chapters at a time.  As an adult, I appreciate Ma and Pa more than I did as a child.  Reflecting on those days inspires me to detox myself and my family from the daily hubbub.  We are learning to become more grounded by spending more time together without incessant distractions and events that take us away from our home base.  I feel less the need to schedule our lives away with activities and far away adventures.  Instead, our adventures are largely at home constructing the foundation from which we will grow.  We have started by planning family game nights, story reading times, camping in our backyard, day trips to local museums, hiking outdoors, and “hanging out” together.  Not only has this been less costly, but these simple pleasures have been worth more than what money could ever buy! 

One day, our children will be all grown up and will be starting their own adventures.  My hope is that they learn to slow down and simplify their lives.  The Ingalls family has provided me with an appreciation for an uncomplicated, but extraordinarily enhanced life!  By keeping choices to a minimum and decreasing the demands brought forth by an overbooked schedule, my hope is to replicate the framework from which the Ingalls family operated.  Don’t fret; I’m not talking about converting to the Amish community.  I still take pleasure in marvels of the modern world….I am highly dependent on my laptop, would love to have an iPad, and need technology to get through my day!  I still plan on sending my kids to summer camps and taking a trip to Disney World.  However, I do feel there is a balance to be had between simplicity and busying ourselves in the high-tech, opportunistic society in which we are immersed.  This makes for a more contented and less harried mama!  Keep it simple ladies!

Zippy Chix Recap:

• Life has become a whirlwind full of scheduled commitments, decisions, and opportunities.
• The down-side to this is we are all becoming more anxious and medicated to survive the hullabaloo of our lives.
• Some of us are missing out on the family relationship.
• Make things easier by eliminating too many options and commitments.  This can strengthen a family’s bond.
• The modern world has joined us on a global level and it is important that we balance this with living more simply so we stay connected with those closest to us.

Stay Light and Breezy Girls…

Love,

The Zippy Chix