We see examples of what modern success looks like everywhere. The multi-billion dollar advertising industry drums it into us and so does social media, our jobs and the people we know. We are expected to get a good job, marry, have kids and buy a nice house on a good street. As the family grows and we become more successful we are expected to buy a bigger house. This house should have all the trimmings, with enough bedrooms so that each child has their own, plus an extra bathroom or two and perhaps a games room. Then there are the extravagant holidays, brand name clothing and new cars to prove to the world and ourselves how successful we really are.
It seems that many of us are trading off the one thing we cannot buy for all the things that we can.
Time.
Australia has the biggest houses in the world, we have even overtaken America. Australian houses on average are 245.3sqm compared to American homes which measure 201.5sqm. About three times bigger than houses in the UK. With all that space we average just 2.65 people per household.
Modern houses are a huge fashion statement. That dream home will need a designer kitchen, fully equipped outdoor entertaining space, a home movie theatre and a walk-in wardrobe for every bedroom. All of which will need filling. That’s fine though because we have an endless array of home magazines to browse and an abundance of mass-produced, cheap house décor to ensure our decorations can change with the seasons. We may even share our decorating on Pinterest and Instagram whilst tagging the brands we support, further spreading their advertising reach, with no cost or effort from them.
Not only does this all cost money, which we must work long hours to earn, but it also damages the environment. There are five floating islands of rubbish in the ocean the size of countries, yet many people wear an item of clothing just seven times before it is deemed old and tossed away. We can always give those lightly worn clothes to the op-shop and soothe our conscience, but the reality is charities spend millions of dollars per year dumping excess items into landfill. They simply can’t store, process or sell it all due to the sheer volume of stuff they receive. With the craze of Marie Kondo’s recent debut to Netflix it is clearer than ever that our lives and homes are filled with things we don’t use, don’t need and certainly don’t value.
But how much is enough?
Will we be content when we have our dream kitchen, with the beautiful hand glazed tile? Perhaps, but not likely.
Somewhere along the line, we have attached the idea of success to how beautiful our stuff is. But does the big house with the big mortgage bring us any more happiness than a smaller home?
What happens if we listen to the small voice inside that whispers "surely there is more to life than this?"
Following a path less travelled will be unique to each person, though what people will share is they are intentionally living a life which reflects their own values.
A person who follows the path less travelled will consider what they truly desire in life. They will consciously make changes so that in time their actions become aligned with their values. They will understand their time is limited, and the vast majority of life consists of the completely ordinary moments that form our days. There may be the odd show stopper throughout the years, but it won’t be the norm. True happiness comes from finding the beauty within the ordinary and learning how to be content whilst paving our own path.
It takes courage to follow the beat of your own drum, especially when it seems out of rhythm to those who surround you.
We dreamed of owning a farm for 11 years before we did. People told us we were crazy, discouraged us from moving away, and they laughed at us. People still do think we are crazy, but they are quieter now. We are camping on our farm with three small children while we establish it, and I’ll be the first to admit these last two months have been a struggle. Financially, emotionally and practically. Gradually we are getting on our feet, and people have come to realise that we will do what we say we are going to do, and we will carve our path based on our family values.
Following your path will not look like ours, but it will likely involve choosing time over money. You’ll choose time to garden, create, cook, read and spend time with those you love. You might buy a smaller home instead of the large one with a huge mortgage. It might mean you create your own style by thrifting and up-cycling items. It may be messier and more imperfect while you learn how to do things yourself, rather than pay to have it done instantly.
But choosing a simplified life and mindful consumption will lead to reduced financial pressure, more time with your family doing the things that you value and a smaller environmental footprint. Being able to pay off the mortgage years ahead of your friends will give you time to sit back and enjoy what you’ve worked for. That is priceless.
Much love,
Emma
xx
The little old cottage.
But at what cost?
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”
Henry David Thoreau
It seems that many of us are trading off the one thing we cannot buy for all the things that we can.
Time.
Australia has the biggest houses in the world, we have even overtaken America. Australian houses on average are 245.3sqm compared to American homes which measure 201.5sqm. About three times bigger than houses in the UK. With all that space we average just 2.65 people per household.
Modern houses are a huge fashion statement. That dream home will need a designer kitchen, fully equipped outdoor entertaining space, a home movie theatre and a walk-in wardrobe for every bedroom. All of which will need filling. That’s fine though because we have an endless array of home magazines to browse and an abundance of mass-produced, cheap house décor to ensure our decorations can change with the seasons. We may even share our decorating on Pinterest and Instagram whilst tagging the brands we support, further spreading their advertising reach, with no cost or effort from them.
Not only does this all cost money, which we must work long hours to earn, but it also damages the environment. There are five floating islands of rubbish in the ocean the size of countries, yet many people wear an item of clothing just seven times before it is deemed old and tossed away. We can always give those lightly worn clothes to the op-shop and soothe our conscience, but the reality is charities spend millions of dollars per year dumping excess items into landfill. They simply can’t store, process or sell it all due to the sheer volume of stuff they receive. With the craze of Marie Kondo’s recent debut to Netflix it is clearer than ever that our lives and homes are filled with things we don’t use, don’t need and certainly don’t value.
But how much is enough?
Will we be content when we have our dream kitchen, with the beautiful hand glazed tile? Perhaps, but not likely.
Somewhere along the line, we have attached the idea of success to how beautiful our stuff is. But does the big house with the big mortgage bring us any more happiness than a smaller home?
"Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead, of it filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and trebles that want another way."
Benjamin Franklin
What happens if we listen to the small voice inside that whispers "surely there is more to life than this?"
Following a path less travelled will be unique to each person, though what people will share is they are intentionally living a life which reflects their own values.
Our kitchen has always been the heart of our home. Often the table is filled with books, homework, washing and goodness knows what else. But more importantly, it is the place where time stops, where cuppas are enjoyed, conversations had and where our family gathers.
It takes courage to follow the beat of your own drum, especially when it seems out of rhythm to those who surround you.
We dreamed of owning a farm for 11 years before we did. People told us we were crazy, discouraged us from moving away, and they laughed at us. People still do think we are crazy, but they are quieter now. We are camping on our farm with three small children while we establish it, and I’ll be the first to admit these last two months have been a struggle. Financially, emotionally and practically. Gradually we are getting on our feet, and people have come to realise that we will do what we say we are going to do, and we will carve our path based on our family values.
Following your path will not look like ours, but it will likely involve choosing time over money. You’ll choose time to garden, create, cook, read and spend time with those you love. You might buy a smaller home instead of the large one with a huge mortgage. It might mean you create your own style by thrifting and up-cycling items. It may be messier and more imperfect while you learn how to do things yourself, rather than pay to have it done instantly.
But choosing a simplified life and mindful consumption will lead to reduced financial pressure, more time with your family doing the things that you value and a smaller environmental footprint. Being able to pay off the mortgage years ahead of your friends will give you time to sit back and enjoy what you’ve worked for. That is priceless.
Much love,
Emma
xx
