The following is a guest post by Courtney Carver of Be More with Less.
When I first wrote Living in the Land of Enough as a guest post on this blog, I had no idea it would become a 7-part series on my blog, or translated into Italian, but the more I wrote about The Land of Enough, the more time I wanted to spend there. Today, as the series comes to a close, I thought it would be exciting to share the conclusion on the same blog where it started.
In the very first post about the Land of Enough, I wrote about seven topics. Subsequently, each topic became its own chapter in the series. Here is a quick recap:
Visiting the Land of Enough
- Save Your Money. There is no need for credit cards or therapeutic shopping in the land of enough. There are also no overdraft fees or ATM charges. Just put your cards away for 10 days. Then, keep a list of purchases you would have made if you were using your credit card, or if you were shopping for sport, and take note of the money that you didn’t spend.
- Take Your Time. In the land of enough, you have time to breathe. Stop trying to squeeze so much in. If you are always running late, falling behind, or trying to catch up, try slowing down. Cancel a few unnecessary appointments and don’t schedule any new ones if you can help it. Then, make a little time everyday for solitude.
- Disconnect. Set a specific time to disconnect each day. In the land of enough, there is less need to be plugged in. If you can, commit to not using a computer after dinner or before lunch time. Be mindful of how much time you spend online and are virtually available. Protect your time and your mind.
- Eat Real Food. Only eat food that you prepare. Summertime is the perfect time to eat fresh food – fruits and veggies are often fresh, local, and less expensive than buying them in winter. Do not eat anything from a box, restaurant or drive-thru. While you may choose to eat less by eliminating processed foods, you may find that you naturally eat just enough.
- Make Space. Clear out some space in your house. You don’t need to take on big purging projects during this time to make space. Simplify one room (or even just the corner of one room) and keep it as clean and clutter free as possible. Even if the rest of your house is cluttered, this area can be a great reminder of how you might feel living with less.
- Entertain Yourself. Unplug your TV and plan to enjoy your friends, family, the great outdoors, or a book you have been meaning to read. Do not spend time and money on expensive shows, travel or recreational activities. While the land of plenty calls you to spend more money for entertainment, you already have enough right where you are.
- Say Thank You. As you go through these steps, you will find enough time and space to be grateful. Through prayer, thank you cards, or a kind gesture, share your gratitude every day.
I love the Land of Enough, but the challenging part for me is being there, and attending to my everyday life at the same time. Some of you commented that living this way all the time is not realistic, and I agree.
If you think that living this life is appealing, but impractical on a daily basis, don’t give up all together. Instead, set aside one day a week, or month to live according to the recommendations above. Choose your favorite ideas and make them part of your life.
When you begin to spend even a few minutes a day in the Land of Enough, you will quickly realize that the experience starts in your heart and begins to change it. But even before you start to make changes, know that you are enough. Sometimes we think we have so far to go to get to where we want to be, that we don’t even try. We think we don’t deserve better because of our current situation. Regardless of your current habits or circumstances, you are enough. You’ve always been enough.
There is one thing about The Land of Enough that I forgot to tell you. Because everyone there is living more authentically and simply, and because they don’t live under a burden of constant stress, they are loving. Simply put, it is easier to love more deeply when you realize you have enough… that you are enough.
The transition from regular life to the Land of Enough takes time. Instead of trying to incorporate all of the changes at once, slowly and deliberately transition the best parts to your life.
What is one change you would like to adopt from the Land of Enough?
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Read the entire Land of Enough series or visit Courtney’s blog. She writes about simplifying and living life on purpose at Be More with Less. You can also follow her on Twitter.
Cara Stein says
This is awesome. I’ve been sculpting my life to be more and more like this over the past two years. You can’t do it all at once, but if you see where you want to go and start moving in that direction, you will get closer. The time thing is especially crucial–without that one, I can never really relax enough to enjoy the others.
Minimalist Wannabe says
I’m on my way… I might be walking, but I’m really enjoying how the view of my house and life changes as I approach the Land of Enough!
Thank you for this inspiring series.
Courtney Carver | Be More With Less says
Walking is good. Slow, deliberate change beats fast and furious any day.
queen of string says
What a gorgeous, beautiful post. How do you see inside my head like that ;-). Just off to your blog for a quick peek.
Jen @ minimalist maneuver says
I love this concept of living in the land of enough. For me, entertainment is one I’ve been thinking about lately. Just how much time do I need to be sitting passively and receiving entertainment each week? So much of that time could be used for nurturing relationships or creating something of my own.
Zekesmom10 says
I awarded you a Versatile Blog award on my blog. I imagine you are too busy for that sort of thing, but I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your blog! But don’t worry, it’s a virtual award and won’t take much space. :)
http://insaneinthemombrain-zekesmom10.blogspot.com/2011/01/versatile-blogger-award.html
Gena S says
Courtney,
Thanks for some timely reminders (thinking of printing this list :) We’re in a season of writing and working on projects that do demand a fair bit of computer time, we are trying to desperately protect time offline, unplugged and in decompress mode for our health and peace of mind. A bit of a challenge, but a daily goal. Really enjoyed the series and appreciate that Becoming Minimalist does too!
Nick B @ weekday.zen says
Book me a ticket.
Seriously though, I think people have trouble realizing that change is already within them and they just need to activate it. A simpler, more enjoyable life is just a few choices away. Our society has us so scared of giving up they buy-buy-buy philosophy that many people are slaves to it.
Courtney Carver | Be More With Less says
Nick,
If only we could fly there…
I have been a slave to debt and consumerism so I know that it takes time. Once the awareness is there though, and you can taste what is on the other side of the fence, you will do whatever it takes to get there.
Living the Balanced Life says
I have been working on several sections a little at a time. I have cleared out lots of extra stuff, and I am enjoying the space. I know there will come a day that I will go a step further, but for now, it is nice.
We have also been working on our food. Haven’t cut out all the junk, but working hard to increase the fresh and self-prepared meals.
As I have begun buying less, it is nice to not have to worry so much about money, but I long for the day that it is no longer an issue at all.
Having more time has been the biggest change for me. I gave up a career working 80+ hours a week that had sucked the life out of me. I am enjoying having more time to just BE, and to be with my family and to create and to determine my next steps in my life.
Thank you, Courtney, for this journey through the Land of Enough!
Bernice
Get enough sleep
Courtney Carver | Be More With Less says
Wow Bernice – 80 hours a week? When did you sleep?
I think approaching a simpler life a little bit at a time is a great approach. After all, if all the uncluttering and changing becomes more important than actually enjoying life, then we’ve missed the point all together.
Annie says
For me, Facebook simplifies my life and my connections to family and friends, but if I’m not careful it can become a giant timesuck.
In the land of enough I enjoy being able to walk to my kitchen in complete darkness, reach to a particular shelf and immediately locate the puppy treats when they are needed. After spending years having to turn on the light and hunt for things (and having stuff fall on me at times) that alone is incredibly refreshing!
Courtney Carver | Be More With Less says
Annie, I am sure the puppy appreciates that too. Dogs are true minimalists, but treats are on their list of must haves.
Laura says
I’m particularly loving the money, space and disconnect parts (I’ve closed my Facebook account just an hour ago and feel quite liberated); I found them particularly addictive.
Also, I wanted to add that translating the series is an absolute pleasure!
Courtney Carver | Be More With Less says
Laura,
I am so happy to have this series available in Italian. Now if only I could read it! ;)