Living More with Less

Recently my day job was taken from me, suddenly, unjustly and without warning. Anyone who is in my close circle already knows this. My first reaction was of course, a sense of loss. There was a period of mourning, anger, then acceptance. Then I experienced great relief, excitement and a realization that this was not an ending but rather a beginning.

I also had to adjust to an income that was far less than I was accustomed to earning. I had always considered myself somewhat frugal, but now it became important to refine and embrace my frugal ways. There are always areas in our finances that are fluid; flexible enough to meet basic needs when required.

I've cancelled my cable TV. No great loss, as I really only watched a handful of the same stations and programs most of which I can get for free using an antennae I already owned. My food budget was generous because, well, I enjoy eating like most people and I felt it was one thing I could justify spending money on. Now I spend far less, cook more and exercise more creativity in my food choices. I also use less gas. I've always been careful about planning my outings so that I can get to where I need to go in a logical manner without doubling back and driving out of my way needlessly. Now I'm even more diligent about this habit. I keep the heat turned down and wear more layers at home. I limit the lights I turn on and I only do laundry when I have a full load. I also hang dry everything, which I've always done anyway.

None of those habits have felt like a major sacrifice. I'm someone who enjoys a challenge and I've seen this as a great puzzle to manage so that I can continue to live happily.

On the flip-side I now have more. More time. More focus. More attention to what's truly important to me. More creativity. More self-care. More exploration. More thought. More attention to others who are important to me. I have all of this because I have simplified my human needs so that they do not require so much of my time and effort any more. 

Yes, you're right. I could have done all of that while working a day job. But as we also know; often we don't see the obvious until we are forced to see it. So its been a happy accident to be suddenly without a reliable income. Its not the first time I've experienced being without a day job, but this time I was in a different place in my life and so the affect it has on me is completely new.

Yes, very soon, I will once again have a day job and my income will go back to what it was. However, this time I intend to maintain the new balance I have found. My priorities shifted when my job was taken from me. And this change is permanent.

My daughters have always been top priority. What's new is my creative pursuit as a painter is now my main priority (second to my daughters) and all the wonderful opportunities that come with that practice. The realization that has come with this resorting of priorities and needs and wants has given me a new purpose and helped me with my inner struggles. I have goals and I have plans to reach each of those goals. And each plan has steps that I take everyday. I have started to approach my life in the same manner that I approach my art. Layer by layer, section by section; looking towards the completed work but focusing on each tiny detail, each piece of the whole, so that the completed artwork will be how I envisioned.

I have less money and less stuff right now, but I have so much more that's important to me. I'm living more and its been wonderful.