‘Slow’ isn’t always simple but ‘simple’ will always encourage ‘slow’. I would like to introduce you to Bel du Bois. It has been such a delight to read Bel's interview. I can definitely relate to Bel when she said being still was difficult. Make sure you check out the special opportunities that are available at the Darling Downs Wellness Therapies. The Grain Shed Retreat looks amazing! So inviting and peaceful.  Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? A wise man once said to me “get rid of what you don’t need to make room for what you do need”. I often remind myself to make room for the deliberate act of disconnecting to allow for reconnecting….back to meeting those basic, intrinsic needs. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? Sleeping well, preparing simple nutritious home grown, organic food and mindfully observing nature. Oh and I love filling my home with natural fibres. And I love to sweep….weird but true, so many parallels. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey toward living a simple life. Was there a catalyst that led you to follow this path? Moving to rural Queensland was the game changer in all of this, stepping back, holding that space and then starting again. Prior to this, I think I was a bit of a hyperconnected junkie, always wanting more; more knowledge, more energy, more busy, more connections, more opportunities. I loved to learn and loved to ‘do’, being still was difficult, there was no balance. There’s no denying I still love learning, creating and doing but I’ve reclaimed a life that now enables me to prioritise, reorganise and make more conscious and informed decisions…. because I have finally realised, I actually have the choice to do so! What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? Society, if we let it, has a focus on instant gratification and pressure to consume, live beyond our means and then get caught in the anxious loop of consumers guilt, with our homes full of ‘stuff’ and our lives bursting with continuous motion, mentally, physically emotionally, making us sick, overwhelmed and unsatisfied. I think the most difficult part of living simply is to break this cycle, ‘slow’ isn’t always simple but ‘simple’ will always encourage ‘slow’. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? Slowing down encourages me to be more aware of how I live and mindful of what I consume. This enables me to pause which allows me time to consider and leads to more conscious, meaningful choices which provokes a higher level of gratitude. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? Sitting on my deck with hot cup of tea with a home made ginger biscuit looking over the valley at sunrise or sunset………a beautiful slow yoga sequence up at the waterhole………a long slow walk through the bush with loved ones and all the dogs on a crisp autumn day. Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? Book: STILL The Slow Home Podcast: Outdoors is my Therapy What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? I’ve just completed my post graduate studies in Nutrition which was completely amazing! What would you like to learn about or do in the future? Herbs and Chinese Medicine If money or time were no option what would you like to do? Travel the world and learn more about the ancient methods of Ayurveda and buy a huge antique apothecary chest and fill it with all sorts of herbs, seeds, grains and ancient medicinal goodies! If people would like to learn more about you and what you do, how can people follow you online or get in contact with you? Website: www.darlingdownswellnesstherapies.org Facebook/ Instagram - Darling Downs Wellness Therapies - The Grain Shed Retreat
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Today I would like to introduce you to Prue Leyden-Smith. Prue is an inspirational young mum who has learnt to sew and loves to upcycle second hand fabric and clothes. I love the jacket she made out of an old woollen blanket (pictured below) and her eclectic style. One of my favourite memories is drinking a cup of tea out of her gorgeous china cups. Thanks for being my guest today. I can't wait to see some of your fabulous upcycled creations in the future.  Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? For me I try and think about my grandparents and the things I noticed about them and their lives. Firstly having the best of things was not important, only replacing things if they couldn`t be fixed and reusing so many different things. One of my grandmas used to cut up all the old cereal and tissues boxes and use them as shopping lists. Everything seemed to get as many lives as it could. My other grandparents had 2 massive fig trees and to keep the birds away my grandad had built this structure all around a second hand hills hoist clothes line and anything else he could repurpose from the farm. They washed out every bottle they used and reused them as jam jars. When visiting people they would fill their car with jam and deliver to whoever they were stopping by. For me now it was learning to mend my clothes, make clothes out of recycled fabrics and I always try and buy second hand wherever possible. Hand me down kids clothes are always a favourite. I have tried even with my kids toys to buy as little as possible and always second hand when I can. Also buying things that are not a once use item. So we have wooden blocks, a dolls house and our Duplo collection gets hours of play. We still have old matchbox cars from when my husband was little too. They encourage big games and can be used for all sorts of play. I also try and enjoy my things. I have inherited a lot of china and I really do love using it daily, not just for special occasions. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? Sewing! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey toward living a simple life. Was there a catalyst that led you to follow this path? I remember reading this fact on Facebook, that if 1 million women bought their next piece of clothing second hand so many tons of landfill could be avoided. It really struck a chord with me. I do believe clothes and fashion are one of the biggest contributors to land fill. Poorly made, cheap fabrics have meant that clothes are just a throw away item and throw away is exactly what happens. Even at the op shop around the corner, they would fill a big skip bin weekly with clothes. So this info lead me to try and change the stigma around op shopping and I started a little business called second hand hippy which I gifted to a friend before having my last baby. It made me rethink my wardrobe and my choices which then led to learning to sew. I made myself pregnancy overalls, pyjamas for hospital and feeding all out of old sheets and a jacket made from a woollen blanket. My love for reusing has grown. I also have a beautiful denim shirt that belonged to my dad and I have worn it since I was a teenager and it has slowly started falling apart. The first patch was done by a friend and then the second by someone else. Now I only wear it on days I need to keep my dads memory close because it needs patching every time I wear it !! What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? I still find we have so much rubbish. It is really something we are trying to reduce by recycling our bottles as well as the soft plastics and chip packets etc. We have a scrap bin to feed to my sisters chooks. We are also trying to be very mindful of how we pass things on. It is so easy to throw things in the bin. I now try to find homes even for broken things, passing my kids clothes on, cutting the day care ones up for rags - just trying to reuse whatever I can. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? I really have found I appreciate my things so much more by being mindful of what I buy and what I have kept. It makes for a very joyful, eclectic home. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? Sewing is my favourite pastime. I am always unpicking or mending or creating something or planning my next outfit! I have really loved taking second hand items and making them into other things useful to me. I turned a dress I no longer fit into, into a big bag. Currently I took a piece off a garment I got for 50c at the opshop and have turned it into the front feature on a vogue dress I am making. Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? For me there isn`t a lot of time for listening or reading at this stage in my life. But I am lucky enough to be surrounded by so many cool, inspirational women who are doing amazing things. Like obviously Margy, who I have done two workshops with now - the rag rug and slow stitching. Sherie from Junk Made, who is my daughters art therapy teacher, recycles all sorts of things for art projects. It is pretty amazing. I have some great friends who are talented sewers who make all kinds of things. Like my friend Catherine, who makes the most beautiful cushions out of retro tea towels. What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? Well currently we are designing and putting in plans to have a parade float in this years Carnival of Flowers. My mum has had her business float in the parade over the last 7 years prior to Covid and we were fairies on her float. This year my 11 year old daughter wanted her tie dye business to have it`s own float! We are very excited and hoping to use a lot of recycled materials to create massive flowers. I`m currently cutting out old bed sheets to tie dye for butterfly wings. What would you like to learn about or do in the future? I would really love to learn how to knit and crochet. I would also love to learn Kintsugi - the Japanese art of mending china with gold. I have a whole box of things to mend! If money or time were no option what would you like to do? That`s a pretty big question! For me I just want to spend my life doing and learning and creating with the people I love most and maybe be a famous singer one day - LOL.   Thankful Thursday: "Thankfulness is a thread that can bind together all the patchwork squares of our lives. Difficult times, happy days, season of sickness, hours of bliss - all can be sewn together into something lovely with the thread of thankfulness" Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun.
Today I am thankful to God for the many patches of my life: sharing the joy of contemplative photography, beautiful photos, meeting up unexpectedly with old friends, incredible sunset sky over the sea, a weekend away on the motorbike, discovering a fun place for breakfast, walking along the beach, Tommy drool, Caleb games, talks on the phone with Mum. I’m also a grateful survivor-thriver who believes in the power of stories, nature, and creativity to heal the darkest experiences of our lives. Today I would to introduce you Krista Bjorn. I love how Krista describes herself on her website as a writer, adventurer and tinkerer. Krista lives on a hobby farm in rural Southern Queensland and runs all sorts of amazing workshops including herbal medicine, home-brewing, cheese-making and other self-sufficiency skills. She makes beautiful wood-burned art and has written several books. Krista and her husband also run a medieval enactment group called Blackwolf. I am so excited to have Krista as a guest on the blog today. I just know you will enjoy her story!  Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? For me it is saying yes, as often as possible, to the things that truly delight me and enrich my life. I am fascinated by history, by the ways people through the ages have nourished the land, grown, raised, and made food, and foraged and crafted herbal medicine, so I follow those rabbit trails through books, documentaries, and practical experimentation on our farm. I really love making things from scratch. Whether it's herbal medicine, home-brewing, charcuterie, cheese, bread, furniture, etc., I love learning the processes, growing the plants, raising the animals, and making all the things. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? Herbs are my great love and I am passionate about growing them, foraging for them, and collecting seeds and dried herbs from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America. Then I use them to create healing remedies, delicious brews, and scrumptious food, and teach those techniques in workshops in Southeast Queensland. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey toward living a simple life. Was there a catalyst that led you to follow this path? A series of traumatic events in my life nearly broke me in body and spirit and I moved to Australia to start a new life, a life of real love, peace, and healing. I found all of those things through gardening, caring for our animals, and working with herbs and edible plants. As my body, mind, and spirit were restored, I started sharing these things with others through blog and social media posts, demonstrations, books, and workshops. I love this work so much. What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? Living simply is still hard work. It takes time, strength, and lots of studying and experimenting to figure out the best ways to restore our land, raise healthy plants and animals, and, in turn, transform the plants, herbs, fruits, veggies, eggs, and meat into nourishing products. Sometimes my dreams are bigger than the time and energy I have, so I regularly evaluate and adjust so my simple life doesn't wear me out. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? I've watched our land and animals weather the drought well and recover quickly, experienced my body become resilient and strong after years of chronic illness and pain, and felt my mind and spirit quiet into a gentle cadence that enables me to navigate the ups and downs of life so much better. I've also loved the sense of community that has grown and strengthened as I've connected with other kindred spirits who love the land and want to grow, eat, and drink the things that best support us and our planet. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? Harvesting herbs is like mindfulness to me. I sit on our back verandah with big baskets of mugwort, spearmint, pineapple sage, elderflowers, and black nightshade and slowly, steadily strip off leaves, flowers, and berries. It is incredibly peaceful work and never fails to calm and settle me. Sitting by the campfire in our backyard is my favourite thing of all. Watching the sunset through the trees, listening to the fire crackle and spit, there's nothing better at releasing the stress of the day. Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? Books:
Documentary: The Biggest Little Farm. What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? For the past few years I've been focusing my research on Indigenous herbal medicine and wild foods. I've specifically been studying Aboriginal medicinal traditions in Australia, First Nations herbal medicine in Canada and the US, and Bedouin traditional medicine in the deserts of the Middle East. I have loved learning and applying their wisdom in using things like cattails, coffee beans, the Darling Pea in herbal remedies. What would you like to learn about or do in the future? I am very excited to get my own copper still and learn to make floral waters and herbal distillations. If money or time were no option what would you like to do? I would absolutely love to travel the world to learn from Indigenous herbal leaders in person, to go into the forests, swamps, and deserts with them to forage and harvest and create healing things together. If people would like to learn more about you and what you do, how can people follow you online or get in contact with you?
 On my Facebook page I asked readers to answer a number of questions about the principle of reusing. My favourite answer was everything! Yes that is so true. We should be trying to use everything as much as possible. Often when it wears out and can no longer be used for its original purpose, we can reuse it again, turning it into something else. Then, when there is no possible life left, recycling is the last option. I love the answer below about grandma's flannelette sheets!
What is a favourite item that you reuse often? What is the strangest thing that you reuse? What are some ways that we can reuse items for community benefit? What is the most creative way you have reused something? What is the oldest thing that you still love to reuse? Here are my answers: Favourite item - not necessarily a favourite but I do like to reuse any plastic bags that we have bought food in eg. frozen blueberries. Although I try to avoid bags it is not always possible. Bags with zip locks are especially good. I remember reading someone laughing about their grandmother washing bags and hanging them on the line. That is now me!! Strangest thing - I am still reusing a pile of knee high stockings that my daughter gave me over five years ago before she moved to NZ. Just wear, wash and reuse. The pile is getting a lot smaller as the holes appear. Community Benefit - Going to the Library! What an amazing free resource, where we can reuse resources over and over again. Most Creative - I am really enjoying reusing old fabric and turning it into new clothes and other items. Rag rugs are also a favourite. Oldest thing - my Grandmother's old wooden spoon. It is so well used it is worn down and angled at the top. I think about her every time I use it. A big thank you to Green Dandelion, Alexia and Tamara for their great suggestions, comments and ideas about reusing! Green Dandelion Favourite item - fabric scrap! We collect every little thread and, depending on size and condition, make it into something else (twine, baskets, scrubbies, hair ties, brooches, ribbon) or compost it. Strangest thing - old beeswax wraps. I reuse them for lining pot plants, baskets, storage boxes, etc, or wrapping dog treats and other non human food items. Community benefit - we are creating zero waste aromatic candles with citrus peel at a women’s wellness retreat on the week end! Most creative way - All of the above, plus we upcycle paper from old magazines Into gift pouches. Oldest thing - some of my mother’s old clothes. My daughter still wears a 60’s suede jacket she gave me in my youth and I still have a beautiful black wool dress of hers. Plus my engagement ring was my grandmother’s so it is very special. Alexia I have some old kitchen equipment such as mixing bowls, measuring cups and cake tins that were handed down to me many years ago that I still use. Tamara
Thankful Thursday: As I was driving home I was thinking about Thankful Thursday and thought how cool it would be to try to think of things that I am thankful for that start with each letter of my name. Now I could have made it easy for myself and did Margy but I will go the whole hog and do Margaret. Why don't you give it a try? I will give you permission to use your shortened name even your initials. BTW Isn't Leunig great! Today I am thankful to God for: M - mince meat. I know that is weird but it is so versatile. We had savoury mince for tea. A - Art inspiration. A group of friends who are encouraging each other to create art. R - Recycling Depots. So thankful for businesses who are recycling our rubbish and using it to make something new. G - Grandchildren. Such a joy that fill your heart. A - Anticipation of holidays. Not long to go before our Fraser Island trip. R - Rooibos Tea. I have become such an avid tea drinker and love trying new brews. E - Eggs. Freshly laid by our three hens and collected by a little boy (even though one was cracked on the way in) T - Timber. Split, stacked and stoked in our wood heater by my wonderful husband! 
This form of visible mending and fabric decoration is inspired by Sashiko, a form of Japanese embroidery and Boro, a traditional style of patchwork used in Japan for mending. You will need:
Instructions
Thankful Thursday: Like many people our lemon tree is loaded with fruit. I love the colour yellow. It is such a joyful colour! I had a yellow bedroom growing up. So today is a celebration of all things yellow! Today I am thankful to God for: loaded lemon trees, yellow autumn leaves, my new bee socks (thanks Sis!), strings of melted cheese, yellow handlebars on a little tricycle, yellow roses on a piece of vintage material, yellow duplo blocks, brilliant rays of light as the sun peeks over the horizon, yellowed pages of a favourite old book, Pete the Cat's yellow shirt! What yellow things bring you joy?
 Trying to eliminate every piece of waste in our society is extremely difficult, although it is definitely a worthwhile goal and there are some tremendous role models in the zero waste movement. However, the next best thing is working hard to reduce the amount of rubbish that we produce and energy we consume. The following are some ways to help you accomplish this.
Once again you don’t have to do all of these things at once. Choose one small change and make it a habit. Small successes breed enthusiasm and motivate you to try something else.
Thanks for all the following additional fabulous ideas from Facebook comments:
Please feel free to add any more ideas you may have for reducing waste and energy consumption in the comments below. |
AuthorHello! My name is Margy. I enjoy living simply, I am trying to slow down and I am learning how to be still. I would love you to join me on this exciting adventure. Archives
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