Living simply.
Via Apartment Therapy. (one of my favourite sites)
“My parents did the best they could with what they had, and have been a very fine example. What they did was this:
Keep the house clean and tidy.
If anything broke, they fixed it the best they could. That taught me to be very creative, and it always makes me proud of what I make, because the solutions you come up with when you are forced by circumstances are much better than anything your could ever buy.
My mother knew how to sew and knit, and there was never a missing button or a hole, she would fix it immediately.
If the soles of our shoes were worn down, our dad glued on new soles, made from old tires.
Our shoes were shined once a week.
Clothes were dried outside, which still is common here.
We had a freezer. Freezing bread and meat in the right sized portions, so that nothing would spoil.
Never use money you don’t have. If there is something you want, buy it at the end of the month, if you still have money left. It is okay to say in a shop, no thank you – I cannot afford that.
Save. Just a little.
Make your own meals. Make soups / bone broths.
Always bring a lunch pack. A little leftover from yesterday is a treat.
Grow parsley, chives or basil in your windowsill and use it in your kitchen.
Create a community where you help each other. Maybe someone needs their fence fixed and would love to make you a cake in return.
Cut your husband’s hair yourself. A cutting kit with a machine and a scissor costs less than two visits at the hairdresser. Girls grow your hair long.
When I was small most of my clothes were used and I actually was ashamed of that even though they were nice. Today I see this trend has changed here in Scandinavia. It is common to buy second hand and to accept hand me downs. No one seems to be ashamed of that now.
My shame has actually turned into pride. Every human is worth the same, rich or poor, and we have to learn to take pride in ourselves no matter how much money we have. It is a shame that we are not equal but it is nothing to be ashamed of!
Cleaning, washing, fixing, maintaining and mending does not cost much, but makes you keep a sense of pride in difficult circumstances.”
