Bringing Back the Simple Life: The Call for a More Simplistic Family Lifestyle Resonates Across the Land

In the ever widening circles of family and work, we need to reexamine our own lifestyles.

Embracing a more simplistic lifestyle means balancing the time between work and more quiet domains of life. Bringing back simplicity means reconnecting with extended family and friends and rediscovering the pleasure in the small things you used to do for yourself. In this article, we'll focus on several ideas for introducing simplicity back into your life.

Every Day is a New Year

Remember to save a portion of every day for yourself.
If work takes a toll on you, you won't have enough energy to give to your family. This creates a no-win situation.
The New Year, just like any day of the week, is as good as a time as ever to embrace a more simplistic lifestyle. Work has fundamentally challenged the notion of simplicity in the modern workplace, but there is no time like the present to reevaluate and reschedule time for nonwork-related matters.

Bring Joy and Meaning Back Into Your Life

Are you giving as much as you want to your family? If not, how can you make more time for family?

Find the practical solutions by talking to your partner or family member. Sometimes the solution involves making a switch in your schedule, sometimes in your head. It all boils down to quality time and being more available. Work is an inevitable part of our lives, but there are ways of balancing it.

Time Out for Gratefulness

The purpose behind family simplicity is to relive moments of joy. This can be done by practicing gratefulness.

Make Friday nights your time out as family.
Say a blessing of gratitude for food and for the company of each other.
Listen to the words in your prayer. Hear the words and mean what you say.
Practicing these random acts of gratefulness can bring back the meaning of family as well as the true spirit of love.

Instant Pick-Me-Up
Meditate on your gratefulness prayer during random acts during the day.
Let your children, partner or another family member know how important they are to you through your actions or your words.

Visiting Family

Cherish moments together.
Spend time looking through the family album and adding recent pictures.
Make a wall poster of everyone's favorite moments or use magnetic letters and words and make a memory board on the refrigerator.
Open a keepsake box and reminisce.
Visit extended family and in-laws.
By keeping these bonds strong your children will gain family traditions and develop strong values.

Explore the Wild Outdoors

When the weather and moment are right, a nice walk through your neighborhood, in the mountains or a stroll in the park can be another way to bring balance back into your life. Take the time to watch your child's face as you see him or her mention the name of plants, animals or other scenes noticed along the way.
Be adventurous and plan a picnic by the lake.
Sit quietly, your child in your lap, and enjoy the peacefulness that surrounds you. Hug your child and whisper in his ear. Tell him how much you love him or her, then lean close so your child can whisper the same sentiments in your ear.

Experiment but Enjoy Your Time

Give yourself a week to two to experiment with your new goals.

Do you notice any changes? Are you expending your energy well? Are your goals feasible? Do you have time to pursue old pastimes and still nurture your family on a level that is satisfying to everyone involved?

Time with your family cannot be measured on a chart. Make those moments count!