In my most recent Michelle’s Musing feature, I talk about how a part of me loves minimalism. When dreaming of my ideal house, it was always that tiny one with the white picket fence. My dream car would be a Volkswagen Beetle. It’s a wonder I had a large family, right? As the article mentions, I actually think the two go hand in hand. When you have a larger-than-large brood, you oftentimes have to learn to live in cramped quarters and make the most of what you have…which can be less than more. If my heart had leaned in the direction of grandiose, I would not be content in our house, content living on our tight budget (even before the economy went to heck). I’d be yearning for the “better” things in life…which would be difficult to obtain with 8 kids in tow. So, I think my minimal-living mindset compliments my big-family mindset quite well. Now, if I could only convince most of my family of that!
November 15, 2008
Mega Family, Small Living?
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Mega Family…SIMPLE living!!!
My husband and I have lived big and small, and either way, living simple is a must and a priveledge. We havn’t minded living in (reasonably, of course) small houses. In fact, our favorite home was too small for us, and we miss the coziness of it. We live in a larger home now, and have to scream to hear each other, clean a lot more, especially the floor space. We don’t mind doing without things, things, and more things, because they take up space we do want, make noise, require maintenance, and break! When we live in larger houses, there are whole rooms/areas that we never put anything in, and never use. I never fill any shelf or cupbaord to the point where I can’t see everything in it. We always have unused cupboards, closets and shelves. Living in a large family (we have
is crowded, chaotic, noisy, and messy enough without all that STUFF!!! I know what you mean by the seeming paradox of small living in such a large family – but it is simpler. Even a too-small house or car is easier to maintain, clean, and talk across. It’s quicker to get around in, and easier to move everything out of if the need arises. I don’t mean to sound too cynical here, just some food for thought from someone who has lived in places big and small, and truly appreciates the small.
Comment by jenny — November 15, 2008 @ 10:47 pm