One of the people that most inspires me is an Irish woman named Niamh, the creator of the YouTube channel Fairyland Cottage. I love watching her videos about simple living and her story of transitioning from city life to cottage life. In her video “The Joy of a Slow Life,” she mentions how she used to earn a lot more money when she lived in the city but has more money now because of how she has reduced her expenses and how mindfully she spends her money. She talks about how the ability to work less has freed up time for her to do the things she loves to do, such as gardening, baking, spending time with her family and friends, and just being.
If you know me, you probably aren’t surprised that I look up to her so much. Seeing so many people stressed out and depressed because of their work, I’ve developed this fear of becoming trapped in a nine-to-five job and being miserable. I’ve never had a full-time job, except for a semester when two part-time jobs, two tutoring students, and my full-time studies overlapped. Needless to say, I got really burnt out and realized I needed to make a change. I do realize that setting healthy boundaries even in a full-time job can reduce many of those negative side effects and that many people who love their work find great fulfilment in it. But I love the possibility of working less and being able to pursue other goals as well.
Maybe it’s a naive dream, but I hope that when I learn Swedish and get a job (or start freelance proofreading), Daniel and I can get by with part-time jobs. I would love for him to also find the freedom to do all that he dreams about but never seems to have the time for. I would never think this was possible if it weren’t for the many people I see through channels like Exploring Alternatives who take steps of courage and create the life of their dreams.
I know that things get more complicated when you have kids and gain more responsibilities, but there are so many videos about bigger families downsizing and living simpler lives on channels like Living Big in a Tiny House (I know, I spend way too much time on YouTube). After all, gratitude and contentment can be such great values to pass on to the next generation. And from what I see in those videos, focusing less on physical possessions creates room for more meaningful experiences. For instance, so many of the tiny house owners say that living in a small house encourages them to spend more time outside in nature with their families.
I had always assumed that in order to keep up with the expenses of life, I needed to work and earn more. I’d never considered, as Niamh suggested, that we could reduce our need for more and be able to live on less. She has some great tips on how to do that, and it’s interesting how incorporating low-waste and natural methods of doing things, such as making your own products and buying secondhand whenever possible, can go hand-in-hand with spending less.
We are constantly bombarded with advertisements about all the stuff we “need”–the latest technology, the coolest clothes, the most beautifully designed books–and many of us start believing that we can’t be happy without them. Lately I’ve been thinking about how little our ancestors needed to live wholesome lives. Surely, our basic needs haven’t changed and, as Niamh likes to say, “I already have more than I need.” The happiness that comes from buying something new usually goes away after using it a few times, and I have found that true and lasting happiness comes from contentment with what I already have.
I don’t mean to say that we should never buy things simply because we like them. In fact, one thing that is helping me buy less is buying only things that I absolutely love. For instance, instead of having ten tops that I am so-so about and bought only because they were cheap, I’d rather have three or four really good quality ones that I love. That way, I won’t constantly want to buy another one because I’m not happy with the ones I have. While the few things I buy might be more expensive, I end up saving money in the long term, and the lightness that comes from reducing clutter is irreplaceable.
I used to be such an impulsive buyer, and It’s amazing how much my patience has increased since getting married. That didn’t sound right. What I meant was that I have a husband who is known for preferring to *make things* rather than buy them. He’s the only person I know who goes to a store, sees something he loves, observes it for twenty minutes, and then says, “I’m gonna make one of these.” And that can range from clothing to furniture to pretty much anything. Whenever he does agree that we buy something for the house simply because there isn’t enough time on this planet for him to make everything, it takes several months until we come to a decision on which one to buy.
As often as I threaten to pull out my hair if he says “I have to do more research” one more time, I so admire his approach to life and the tasteful designer that he is. He wants everything to be perfect; the wood of all the furniture has to match, the coffee cups need to have the right-sized handle and a curved edge for comfortable sipping, and every piece of clothing I want to buy, he wants to try making it first, just for the thrill of it. Before I got married, the amount of time between wanting something and buying it took minutes; now it takes months. But it’s so much more rewarding when it happens, the things we own have so much more value, and instead of creating clutter, every item fits perfectly.
Even though the financial benefits of contentment are immeasurable, I have seen its benefits in more areas than one. I remember how as a teenager, if I was worried about a guy not liking me back, my mom would remind me of all the loving relationships I did have in my life. Whenever I felt insecure about certain parts of my appearance, I learned to shift my focus to all that I could do because of my body, sometimes because of those very body parts–I could see, taste, walk, write. And suddenly, the areas in which I thought I lacked didn’t feel so important anymore.
I love when you share your thoughts and experience. I imagined right away the table, the coffee cup handle.. but I need to see the clothing he made for you myself!! :))
While reading I had so many memories back from your teenage years, when we were shopping together .. and your marriage preparation 😀😀 It was FUN watching at both of you prolonging the moment of making a decision about a small BUT important detail.
This also reminded me my beloved brother. He was like you, buying less but good thing. I should try to do that too🤭
The contentment is coming from inside and reflects in your everyday life.
Thank you for sharing, hamoveeeeees
And I soooo enjoy reading your comments every time ❤️ I remember all those years you helped me find birthday presents for my mom. When you had to move, I panicked and thought, “What will I do now?” 😅 I know we probably drove all of you guys crazy during the wedding preparations, but it was a HUGE help to have you there, our fairy godmother 😄 And it touched my heart so much to read about Mher and get a tiny glimpse into who he was… 🥲
Wow! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, my dear Christina! Yes, I also hope to live like that and will definitely take up your advice about buying less and buying the things I really love! Keep up the good work of putting your words and thoughts into this world of ours…love you so much!!!
Wow, this was so encouraging!! Love you so much ❤️
Really loved reading this and can relate to all that you have put in there!
I am yet to learn how to sell less hours of my life for money (I still have 9-to-5 work with constant overtimes), but now that it has happened that my regular job is only 4 days a week, I am really close to getting to that desirable stage of life with time at hand for more joyful things.
Much less in Europe, but now that I live in Canada, I find that things are set here so that it is very easy to fall into that trap of spending all the time, and buying anything and everything. Even worse, systems are set so that you can easily do that and even be rewarded for doing this not even with your own money… It would take good discipline, firm habits and effort to stay on the right path 🙂
And oh how irreplaceable that lightness is that comes from reducing clutter! What you wrote about contentment and buying or owning what you really love, reminded me of Japanese Marie Kondo, who inspired me with her philosophy of decluttering and ways of organizing home. Like you write, she also advises one criterion when decluttering, “choosing what sparks joy! You are not choosing what to discard but rather choosing to keep only the items that speak to your heart.”
Of course, the Japanese are with their kaizen, but the Scandinavians excel in their minimalist, quality, full of beauty, tasteful design and art in their daily life 🙂
But the more important lesson (which I also learned from your mom) is that ‘magic’ of shifting the focus from what we lack or are insufficient in, to what we have or are blessed with. This brings in the peace and contentment and a completely different feel to life.
Thanks for writing about these things and making us pause and read and follow you and reflect.
Naziiik, your comments always spark joy 😁😘 I’m so truly happy that you are getting closer to that desirable stage of life! I always thought you deserve so much more rest than you get ❤️ I haven’t read Marie Kondo’s book, but watched a documentary where she was visiting different people and helping them declutter. I also found her so inspiring!
Kisisa jan, thank you so much for reminding of finding inner contentment, peace and joy.
I just looked back at my crazy schedule and realised that I am skipping such colourful moments that might be uplifting for myself.
Miss you so much!!!!!!!😘❤️
I miss you very much tooo ❤️ and I don’t want you to miss any colorful moments 😘 We will have fun together when I come in the summer! (But no horror movies at night 🥴)
My darling Christina. You know how much I love you! You are the pure soul I know that always seeks and manages to bring in harmony and balance to life, give meaning to things or rather reveal the meanings that might have been tarnished. My wise young lady. How I would have loved to hug you now. Indeed, so true to focus on what we have and what we can give rather on what we don’t and we should get. Thanks for reminding that still there is hope to stop, to make meaningful changes to live this short life to the fullest. To not miss the colors as your friend has put and remember always that less is more. I can see myself in your writing:) still trying, event after 50 years, still trying to make the changes and go to the nature. Tom wants to buy a small shipping container that we can refurbish into a small cute house in the mountains and live there. We can do this, we can create all we need with all we have, for we do have more than is needed if we realize that and have the courage and resolve to make that change. Keep walking on that road darling girl. You are on the right track and have the perfect partner! Hope to hug you in summer when you come back…and me too:) Love from Armenia.
Your words mean soooo much to me! You know I love you too and can’t wait to see you (and Tom) in the summer 🥰 I hope one day you will have the life of your dreams, with your vineyard and living close to all your loved ones and having lots of time to spend doing the things you love ❤️ I think it’s never too late to create the life of our dreams, and never impossible!
Wow Christina❣️You have such wisdom even at your young age. It seems like your mom has been an amazingly loving and wise mentor in your life, and still is, I’m sure💞
I love following you and your completely new way of living, not only in a foreign country and culture, learning a new language, but also as a married woman adapting to your husband, being a new creation, and yet not losing your autonomy (is that the correct way of saying this?)🙈
Anyway, you are brave, smart, beautiful and loving. So, Daniel, hoppast du ser den juvelen du har erobrat😉(Me trying to write Swedish😁)
Kirsten ❤️ I am just melting here 😅 Thank you so, so much for reading and all your kind words! You are also so loving and wise, and you pass on so much peace to people who spend time with you. I hope we will meet in person one day… after all, we are not so far 😁
I always love reading you !
Blessings from France Christina
That means the world to me, Astrig! Thank you ❤️
Hello, i always enjoy reading your writing! It is truely touching and deep.
Thank you for sharing ❤
I myself used to be a minimaliste for some years and somehow because of moving Out and the process of getting used to a new location and lifestyle, i had forgotten about how it felt.
Your words were a reminder of how light and free it felt!
It is truly amazing how our relationship with the things outside of our body like clothes,furniture and even colors represent our soul and thoughts.
I have recently just noticed, I have bought a lot more clothes when I felt unhappy about myself than when I was happy and joyful.
I think your point of view is amazing and I can’t wait to one day enjoy life as simple as our ancestors and not as complicated as all the adds and the media wants us to have!
Sending you lots of love🌻