The Simple Things Volume 10.

“The Simple Things” is a regular feature here, on no set schedule, (obviously, since I haven’t done one in months!) of links around the internet I have found to be inspiring and/or fun to read. Each time I put one of these posts up I will include a picture from my own life showing the things that are important to me and my Simple. Organized. Life., and here is this week’s photo:

That’s my iPhone home screen – I only keep the apps I use daily on that page. There are many more on other pages, but at least the home screen is organized and simple!

You Simplified writes a Great Expectations Manifesto – 21 Guidelines for my Children on Living an Authentic Life. Every parent should read this.

Emily from Remodeling This Life says that childhood won’t wait, and I could not agree more.

Everyday Minimalist talks about getting rid of furniture as a way to force ourselves to de-clutter. What do you think?

Rowdy Kittens has a post up for you ladies (or men, I don’t discriminate) who wear make up called “Minimalist Make-up and Beauty“.

Simple Savvy wants you to pare down your online obligations. This is something I struggle with daily, and have started implementing “tech-free Saturdays” to try to bring some sanity back into my life.

And finally, Far Beyond The Stars tells us How Anticipation is the Least Minimalist Emotion. Amen to that…but it’s a tough one to get rid of.

Live How YOU Want To Or How THEY Want You To – Your Choice.

This is a battle I wage daily in my own head. So many decisions I make are mulled over with all possible considerations – the outcome, what could happen along the way, what my mom thinks, what my friends may think – and I am working on changing this behavior within myself. After all, this is my life and I only get one shot, so why make any choices based on what others may think instead of what I think? I have gotten very good at taking quiet time, taking time for myself, increasing the amount of down time I have in my day. But one thing I haven’t gotten very good at is making decisions solely for me – and that is going to change this year.

Why do we let what others think of our decisions dictate our life? Why do we live somewhere we may not want to or live a certain lifestyle we may not be interested in? Are we afraid of being judged? I know that’s my problem that I am working on for myself, finally, at 37 years old. I was thinking of getting rid of a piece of furniture in my house this weekend that I really had no use for anymore. While contemplating what to do with it, I heard a little bird in my ear say “But you paid so much for it! Why would you get rid of that? That’s just wasting money!“. I had to really work hard to push aside that voice and decide for myself what was right for me. Not for anyone else – for me and me alone. Too often, many of us make decisions like this based on what others think is right because we are afraid of what they may say about our own choice. And this is no way to live, and I am just beginning to figure out my own way of dealing with those feelings.

Take wedding registries, for example. Most everyone who gets married ends up filling up gift registries for stuff that wedding guests can purchase for them. Extra set of “good” dishes? Check. Bar ice buckets and fancy potholders? Check. I fell for it too. We were “supposed” to register for another set of dishes – “It’s what everyone does!”. So we did. And ended up with another full set of dishes that sat unused for the better part of 4 years, until they came in handy in the divorce. (But that’s an entirely different subject on simple living, isn’t it? ) After it was all said and done, we kinda looked at each other and said “why do we need all this stuff? why didn’t we just ask for cash so we could put it in a savings account or towards something more expensive?” I am not begrudging the fact that we got gifts for our wedding, but rather we fell into the same trap that most everyone does – it’s what you do when you get married, that’s why. And because we let other people influence our choice, our houses fill up with dishes, appliances, and pot holders that never get used. AKA unnecessary clutter and maintenance.

If you haven’t started already, it’s time to start living your life – not someone else’s. Sure, they may not agree with your choices. And you may have to fight the urge to tell them off if so. But this is your time on earth, and you only get one shot. So who’s going to call the shots? You? Or them? It’s your choice.

Is Apartment Living Much Simpler Than Home Ownership?

I was thinking about this a lot the other day when listening to a friend talk about maintenance on his house. Seems like every single week there is something else that needs to be fixed, be replaced, or be added on to. The pipes break; the roof shingles come off, the wood under the porch needs replacing. Does it ever end? How much time and effort is spent just trying to keep the place from falling down? I think it might be way more than I am willing to put in were I to own my own home. Sure, it would be cool to own my own place. And I am sure, like most people, I will at some point. But I am starting to think that renting an apartment is definitely the path towards simple living and not away from it!

The only advantages I see to owning your own home include:

1. You can turn the stereo up loud
2. You can knock down walls
3. You can sell it in 40 years for a profit (hopefully)
4. Tax deductions (However, almost 50% of homeowners can’t even take them)

I get that those are all great reasons to own a house. Of course, you could rent a house instead of an apartment, and then you could eliminate #1 as a reason.

The reasons for renting an apartment seem much more… sensible:

1. Toilet breaks? Call a guy to fix it – for free
2. No lawn to maintain
3. No property taxes to pay
4. You can move anytime without worrying about selling it
5. You can go on vacation without too much worry about pipes/vandals/etc.
6. No risk in the real estate market
7. Insurance is cheaper
8. Monthly payments are always negotiable
9. Cheaper
10. More free time

Really, the only clear advantage of owning over renting is whatever profit you can make when you sell your house in the future. Other than that, the benefits of renting far outweigh the benefits of owning. By renting, I basically have all my free time (and money) to do whatever I want rather than worrying about maintenance/yard work/appreciation value/spending money on repairmen (or women). What do you think? Is renting an apartment a recipe for a much simpler life than owning your own home is?