Simplify

So, yesterday I decided to simplify our lives.

I have a husband and 4 children still at home (one, a teenager for whom simplification = deprivation) I am going to be bringing them reluctantly along on this journey, so I can't go crazy and frankly, I don't want to go to extremes. We are not ready to pare our worldly possessions down to 100 items, make our own cosmetics and laundry detergent, wash our hair with baking soda, go vegetarian, or get rid of our cars and televisions. I would have an epic revolt on my hands if I attempted to do any of this.

I need to find a balance that makes everyone happy. We will get rid of the things we don't really love and don't use regularly. We will become more conscious consumers. We will get better about recycling. We will eat fewer processed foods. Someday we might get down to one car. The television - well, we will just try to start with watching less. We will spend more time outside. We will read more. We will go to museums, parks and the zoo regularly.

My goal is to find a simple lifestyle that works for a normal suburban family. There are hundreds of blogs devoted to the idea. Most of them seem to be written by single people or married couples with no children. Of course, fewer people involved make simplification much more possible, but many of the ideas need easing into slowly. My husband is behind me 100% when it comes to simplifying by getting rid of stuff. (Not sure what he'll make of it when I take it a bit further, but we're not there yet.) I am slowly indoctrinating my kids so when we get around to their toys they are on board. Yesterday I filled one trash bag with clothes and baby items. Today I hope to tackle some of the stuff in the drawers of the buffet in the dining room. Honestly most of it hasn't seen the light of day since - well - since I don't know when.

I'll try to post my success and failures here. Hopefully this will keep me motivated.