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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. 
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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?
Today I would like to introduce you to Michelle Thompson. Even though I have never met Michelle in person I have heard a lot about her through her parents-in-law, Malcolm and Christina who live across the road from us. When Malcolm told me about the exciting things Michelle and her family have been doing on their property at Goombungee, I just knew I would love to have her as a guest on my blog. Thanks so much for being my guest today, Michelle!  Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? Living simply to me means being less reliant on the supermarket. I do this by growing and raising my own food, preserving food, and making foods from scratch, such as bread and yoghurt. It also means being mindful of my impact on the environment. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? I love growing fruit and vegies, especially unusual/heirloom varieties. I’m also really getting into breeding my own chooks. I love a colourful egg basket, so I’ve been focusing on breeding easter and olive eggers. I have just bought some fertile French Wheaten Maran eggs, and I am hoping I get enough hens from these that I can breed from them. 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? Growing up I was always interested in homesteading – before I even knew it had a name! I loved growing unusual vegies, and was always pouring through seed catalogues and reading Grass Roots magazine. We also occasionally raised our own pigs, sheep and chooks for meat. I went on to complete an Agricultural Science degree at the University of Queensland, and this opened my eyes to different farming methods and the science behind it. Seven years ago my husband and I bought a block of land at Goombungee. Since then we have built a house, and have planted a small orchard, and a large vegie garden. We have lots of chooks and ducks for both eggs and meat, and we have stocked our dam with yellow belly and silver perch. What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? My most challenging thing with living this lifestyle is time! I have three young children and work part time, and I just can’t seem to get out in the garden as much as I would like! What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? A major benefit is knowing where my food has come from, and what is in it. I know exactly what has gone into my yoghurt or my loaf of bread, and the vegies, fruit and herbs I grow have zero food miles. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? I love to wake up early before the kids, and enjoy my cup of coffee in silence. An introvert in a family of five needs to grab whatever silence they can get! I also find that wandering through my gardens helps to ground me. Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? There are a few homesteading blogs/vlogs that I follow. My favourite blog is https://theelliotthomestead.com/ (they also have a YouTube channel). I also follow the YouTube channels Roots and Refuge Farm and The Hollar Homestead. What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? I have started making more jams. Last summer I grew jam melons with the intent of making melon jam. They were super easy to grow, and the jam I have made so far is delicious, however they do take a fair bit of time in removing the seeds. I’ve managed to rope other people into helping me so far! What would you like to learn about or do in the future? I would love to make sourdough bread. I haven’t had the time to give it a go yet, however I think it would be lots of fun! If money or time were no option what would you like to do? If money and time were no issue I would own a bigger block of land so I could keep a house cow! Imagine all the cheeses I could learn to make! It would also be nice to have enough land where we could raise sheep and cattle for our freezer, without relying on buying in feed during dry periods. 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? I don’t have an online presence; however I can be emailed on shell2008@hotmail.com At the very least, having handmade skills contributes to my sense of self-worth. I feel proud when I make something I love, and I've been stopped in the street many times and asked where I got my dress. "Slow Clothing" pg 71
Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? I’m probably not the best example of someone living simply, as I do enjoy some (many) indulgences and I’m aware there is a lot more that I can do! My husband and I live in a 2-bedroom apartment rather than a house. It’s all we need, and by default it prevents us from accumulating too much stuff. We have a little herb garden and composting system on our balcony and are thinking about setting up a communal vege patch in the yard of our apartment block. I think the biggest thing that I personally do is try and educate myself on how things are made and where they come from. This started with clothing around 10 years ago, when I became more aware of sweatshops and fast fashion. However, it also extends into other aspects of life, such as understanding where food comes from, having awareness of and empathy for others — particularly refugees, First Nations peoples, and those living in developing countries. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? My special interest is sewing — I make most of what I wear (mostly dresses, skirts and tops). I still buy some things (underwear, exercise clothing, jeans), but I try to buy fewer things that last longer, and largely from companies who are sustainable or on their way to becoming sustainable. One of my favourite things is being able to make a new outfit for a special event — I can guarantee that no-one else will be wearing it (especially since I buy a lot of my fabrics in India when I travel there for work). 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? As I educated myself about the fashion industry, I became increasingly uncomfortable financially contributing towards it. I decided to teach myself to sew my own clothes and had varying levels of success to begin with! I don’t like when people refer to it as a ‘talent’ — it’s simply a skill that anyone can learn with time and patience. I didn’t have much of the latter when I began, but I do now! What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? At the moment, it’s having the time and space. My sewing space is in a study/dining nook in our apartment, and this became my full-time office in 2020. After working long hours in there, the last thing I wanted to do was stay longer to sew. I’m very lucky to work for a company that encourages work–life balance, and for the next 4 months they’re giving us Friday afternoons off to do something for ourselves. I plan to get back to sewing! What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? I love having unique clothing that no-one else has. I get an enormous sense of achievement when I complete a garment that is just for me. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? This is something I’m really bad at, unfortunately. Does drinking a gin and tonic count? Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? I struggle to listen to podcasts (as I find my mind wanders), and books can also be difficult for me due to my job in the publishing industry (it’s like more work!). However, I do have a few books and documentaries I can recommend!
What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? I learnt about Tiger King! I may have watched a lot of Netflix. But, seriously, I was fortunate enough to remain employed in my publishing job throughout 2020, and I was incredibly busy! Even though I was at home all the time, I didn’t have the time or headspace for sewing or baking. I guess the main learning is that humanity is the most important thing. I find it really upsetting seeing how much worse nationalism has become during this crisis — it’s every country for themselves instead of everyone working towards a resolution for the greater good of all people. It’s especially an issue with the current situation in India. I have spent a lot of time there for my work, so I have first-hand insight into the challenges that people there are facing. I see a lot of the Western media blaming ‘poor behaviours’ of people without having any concept of what the living conditions are like. We should all be working together to help overcome these challenges for the collective good of all people, rather than turning countries against one another. What would you like to learn about or do in the future? I wouldn’t mind doing an MBA or economics degree, with a focus on ethics and sustainability. If money or time were no option what would you like to do? I’d love to be able to help fund sustainable projects to enable First Nations peoples and those in developing countries (particularly women) establish businesses to achieve financial independence. I think it’s particularly important to provide the resources for people to be able to leverage their own cultural capital, rather than it being used by others for profit. 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? I’m out of the blogging world these days, but you can find me on Instagram (@kyliepc). Hopefully you might see fewer photos of gin and more photos of sewing projects! I am re-learning that Jesus to me is Still. Time is lost when you spend time with Him. He brings quiet, peace, contentment and just ‘still.’ He stills the storms, the waves, the rush, the competition, the judgement. I want to get to know this more.
Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? Living simply to me is being intentional about my choices, rather than following every trend. I know that I will never feel like I have enough if I keep chasing the next best thing. For the first time this year I have felt more content than I have ever felt. I have dedicated the next 12 months to pausing and slowing down more than I ever have and to actually feel BORED. My goal is to achieve ‘peace’ and ‘still’. I catch myself feeling guilty about this because it seems so counter cultural to not be making huge changes or influencing others, and then I pause to consider where that guilt comes from. Even after 8 years of listening and reading to minimalism advice, I am still on a journey of learning that it’s ok to have less, to be less celebrated in the eyes of the world and to do less. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? My focus is contentment and reducing my anxiety. I think my motivation to keep going with a simpler lifestyle is that I have experienced huge benefits to having less to maintain and having more time with my children. I know that I wouldn’t be able to home school my children if my home was as cluttered as it used to be, and I remember often feeling like I was drowning in responsibility and “chores” and the expectation to better myself. Living more simply, gives me space physically to have time to think, read, create, grow, nurture my home and be present. I still catch myself feeling overwhelmed, but I am learning to stop and be grateful and breathe through those moments. We have also moved interstate within the 8 years of decluttering and it helps a lot to own much less when moving often. 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? The catalyst began after having my son, who was born with a cleft lip and palate. Our lives were a series of 11-hour drives to Brisbane Children’s hospital for his fortnightly appointments; a baby with feeding issues and silent reflux, plus three other children under four years old in tow on these drives was not very enjoyable. There was not much time to think with lots of little ones, and when I did, I was usually worried. During this time, I realised our accumulated clutter of our belongings was suffocating me along with the pressures of life, which was the beginning of my decluttering journey. I was addicted to freeing the visual clutter. The people at the local opshop asked me every carload if I was moving to a new house! While life felt out of control I could control how many towels and bedsheets we owned! That’s where I started, in the linen cupboard. It seemed like the least daunting space, and I continued from there. What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? I have a hard time not buying books! I love what they look like on my shelf after I have read them, I love the smell of them, their covers, the dreams they hold of knowledge and even if they haven’t been read, the hope of reading them. I think I often also feel guilty for not making more eco-conscious choices, but I think living simply has the natural benefit of consuming less, and hopefully, making better environmental choices will continue for our family. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? I feel pleased that I can tidy my whole house in an hour and have a deep clean in a few hours. I love that I feel joy when I come home to our space. I love that I have time for my kids to wander with them and show them interesting things in our garden and that I can have the energy most days to make our own meals. I love that when I go shopping, I can see pretty things, but I don’t have the urge to bring them all home all the time. I love that my brain is learning that when I feel sad, I don’t have to buy something new to make myself happy, I can go out for a walk, or make an artwork, or make a cup of tea or coffee and watch a storm or be outside in the fresh air with my pets. I am learning that I can be creative rather than consume. I have learnt that everything you buy takes time to care for, even my beautiful pot plants all need extra love weekly so realising this helps me not buy too many things I appreciate. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? My mum taught me a variety of handicrafts and encouraged my creativity as a child. I never feel like I don’t have something to do as an adult, though I do usually feel like I have to have a tidy house before I can begin the “fun” stuff. I get a lot of joy organising the things we own. We probably could still live with a lot less, but I have found a happy balance and as the children get older, I want them to be responsible for their things, and I enjoy bringing order to our spaces together. I love when I am mid-way through a creative project that I have been delaying and then I realise I am in utter love with the process and even if the world feels chaotic around me, I am loving being with my paints and brush, or knitting, or crafting. I love the ritual of my morning cup of coffee and watching QLD storms come over in the evening. I watch in awe and am invigorated by their energy and the nature around me here. I feel grateful I have made the time in my life to enjoy these things. Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? Josh and Ryan from The Minimalist’s were the main inspiration for me and have been over the years, even though I need them less now. My friend took me to see them live in Adelaide and the fact that they were so “normal” and down to earth gave me a lot of comfort. I have read a lot of decluttering and simplifying books over the years and still love reading them, even though I don’t often learn anything new anymore from them. They keep me focused and confirm my values. I loved Rhonda Hetzel’s Down to Earth because she is Australian, speaking to our way of life here. Books I own and love:
Current Podcasts:
What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? I am re-learning that Jesus to me is Still. Time is lost when you spend time with Him. He brings quiet, peace, contentment and just ‘still.’ He stills the storms, the waves, the rush, the competition, the judgement. I want to get to know this more, and I feel like allowing this year to be gentler, I will get to experience Jesus more like this in my life. I don’t feel like our world is like this, even in Church communities I feel like there are expectations to keep the machine going - the cogs going. There is truth to that too, but as my Father-in-law preached many years ago, perhaps the first sermon I heard him preach, there is a season for everything, like Ephesians says, a season to be busy, as a season for quiet, a season to grow, a season to cultivate, when we allow time to be with Him, maybe that’s when we can recharge and have the energy to pour more into others and enriching life? For now, I am seeking stillness. What would you like to learn about or do in the future? I love learning about anything I can, because I am constantly looking for things to spark my children’s curiosity with our schooling! I honestly think I get more joy and excitement from learning than they do, but I am hoping it’s contagious and they fall in love with it in their lives as much as I love it. I hope I never ever stop wanting to be curious about the world around me. That is something I want to pass on to my children. If money or time were no option what would you like to do? Although I have studied Visual Arts at University, majoring in Textile art and minoring in drawing, and a diploma of Graphic Design, there is an illustration course I would love to do eventually as well, just to keep developing my skills and passion. I would also like to travel around Australia with my husband and children, but I am not in a rush to do that as I love being home too much. I think we would love it as a family though. We do enjoy each other’s company and experiencing our gorgeous landscape together would bring me joy. 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? I have an Instagram account where my artwork is displayed and the occasional slow living post is made, but I currently don’t have a huge online presence. You can find me on Instagram at annaspilsburydesign. I have become more private over the years and have started a few blogs here and there but I am currently enjoying being less online and more in my garden. What an ability the weather has to swing our moods! What I have noticed especially in the last few weeks is its ability to draw me into the present moment and capture my attention so fully. And that has been wonderful. Today I would like to introduce you to Catherine McAleer. I would describe Catherine as a kindred spirit. We have so many common interests and ideas. Catherine and I have enjoyed many cups of tea as we chatted about books, reducing waste, sewing, podcasts, sustainability and books - yes we talk about books a lot! I am inspired by Catherine's work in the Philippines and I love reading her blog posts. She is a great story teller and paints pictures with her words. Thanks Catherine for being my guest today!  Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? When I hear ‘living simply’ I think of Ghandi’s quote “Live simply so that others may simply live”. We live in a world of abundance when eighty percent of the world’s wealth lies with just twenty percent of the population. I know I have too much ‘stuff’ and I’m doing my best to change that. What I am trying to do is live in a way where I think before I buy. If I can buy it second hand I do. If I can make it I try to, I try to buy locally and do my best to think of my carbon footprint before I buy. It’s all of these things and it’s about making sure I’m conscious that the decisions I make affect others near and far. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? I’m a bit of an all-or-nothing kind of person, whilst I’m a work in progress when it comes to living simply, I believe it permeates all aspects of my life; from cooking and cleaning to sewing, to what I do in my spare time and how I work. Essentially my focus of simple living comes from a social justice perspective. I try to think of how my actions will affect others, both near and far and the implications that what I do affects the planet. 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 grew up in the border town of Goondiwindi before moving to Toowoomba. In Gundy we lived on a small hobby farm where playing either meant outside creating sometime of adventure or inside with my head in a book. I’ve always been interested in making things, whether it is cooking something, sewing clothes, patchwork and quilting or sending handmade greeting cards. To me this was living simply, not simply heading into a shop to buy something I needed or a gift I wanted to give. Over time, even this has changed. Whilst I still love doing all of these things, I think more about my supplies, where they come from, if I have something else that could do the job and the sustainability of the product or products I’m using to create. Over the years there have been many catalysts to challenge me and change my thinking. Growing up in a household where we made things, made do with what we had and/or saved until we could afford what it was we felt we needed I believe was the initial one. Watching “The Story of Stuff”, a short documentary on the life cycle of ‘stuff’ and its effect on the planet and each other, then sharing this learning with my Year 7 students in 2011 was also a pivotal moment. Travelling to and spending time in Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Kiribati, South Africa and Cambodia where I was clearly reminded of my extreme wealth (most of us in Australia come in that 20% holding 80% of the wealth) and how my actions affected others even though they or I lived half a world away. I was blessed with many things one being an education and I saw first-hand how many don’t have this basic right. I want to share what I had been gifted with. Most recently I did two courses, one on International Aid and Development with World Relief Australia (WRA) and the other to become a Global Animator through the lens of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical letter. These both challenged my thinking, changed my approach to the way I do things and have set me on a number of paths I never dreamed of. It’s kind of ironic that living simply sometimes is very challenging and not always simple! What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? In a world of instant gratification sometimes it’s hard not to get caught up in that. I am often impatient when I would like something or it done in a certain way. It often takes more time to do things sustainably and simply. Attitudes of those around you can also be challenging. People will sometimes get defensive about their choices if your way of life challenges theirs and you stand up for what you believe. I’d be lying if I said that sometimes it’s hard not to think about these things. I keep going back to the words of William Wilberforce “You many chose to look the other way, but you can never again say that you did not know.” If I know, then I try not to look the other way. It is about being steadfast in my beliefs which isn’t always easy. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? There are many benefits and they include; the joy of doing something in the way I perceive as right, knowing that I’ve done the best I can thinking about others as I do, bringing joy to others, helping people and spreading my love of handmade. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? Things that bring me joy and help me to slow down:
Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? Podcasts: The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman – how decision making can be mindful and how we can do our next right thing in love. Books: Slow Clothing; Finding Meaning in What We Wear by Jane Milburn The Cosy Minimalist by Myquillyn Smith Documentaries: The Story of Stuff Websites: The Story of Stuff (there are lots of short documentaries on here) Emily P Freeman Creating space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing. The Nester: Nesting Place What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? I’ve taken more of an interest in gardening. I have enjoyed learning about some permaculture techniques and growing some of my own vegetables. What would you like to learn about or do in the future? There’s so much to learn about. I’d like to learn more about gardening, making homemade products, other people’s journeys to living more simply and sustainably, the impact that simple living has on children and how this might be able to be brought into the classroom more and nature art. If money or time were no option what would you like to do? Continue to work with communities where education doesn’t seem to have the same importance that it does here. Time is the most challenging aspect of this. 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? I write two blogs: So Now From Here and Musings by Macca I teach yoga: www.ps139yoga.com I lead a project in the Philippines where we are creating a community education centre for a marginalised community. Details are found at So Now From Here and at WRA: 1816 Share, Teach & Reach - World Relief Australia Or email me: mcaleercatherine@hotmail.com  I have always been interested and fascinated by tiny homes. So when I heard that Daina and her husband Jono built a tiny home I was so excited, curious and even a little bit envious. Daina is a gorgeous young lady. We have known Daina for a long time as she is a friend of our daughter, Rachel and we are friends with her family. I was so pleased when Daina agreed to be my special guest and was willing to share her simple living story with you.  Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you?
To me, living simply looks like living intentionally. I strongly believe that the decisions we make shape the world we live in, so through making intentional decisions; whether that be the food we eat, the clothes we wear or the ‘stuff’ we buy, we can create change for the better. Through living more intentionally, I naturally consume less and can focus on what’s most important in life to me – the simple things. We also live in a tiny house, so this has been helpful for me, as it has literally forced me to be more intentional… because we can’t fit much in the house! Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? There are 2 main ones. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of ‘zero waste’ living and try to incorporate as little waste into my daily life as possible. This has been a slow transition, breaking old habits, using up what we already have first, shopping second hand and finding more sustainable alternatives to things I use everyday. My husband and I also love to grow some veggies and love collecting fresh eggs from our happy chickens! I don’t think anyone can truly live completely waste free, but there are so many little things that you can do! I’m also interested in the ethics behind the ‘stuff’ we consume, and dedicate some time to learning what impact my decisions have on other people and things – such as garment workers, the environment and marginalised communities etc. I also think shopping with these things in mind can support living with less waste, by buying quality over quantity. 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? The catalyst for me was learning about the human beings who make the ‘stuff’ that we consume. Learning about the ethics behind products and companies opened my eyes to a whole lot of injustice and corruption that I didn’t want to be a part of. I remember reading the quote: ‘Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.’ So I started to make more intentional decisions with what I purchased, holding companies accountable for how they treated humans and the planet. From there, I learnt more about the materials economy, which is the entire process from extraction to production, distribution, consumption and finally, disposal. Basically, everything we own had to come from somewhere, and the journey it had to take to get into our homes and the impact it has left on our planet is much larger than we often consider. Annie Leonard sums it up perfectly in the ‘Story of Stuff’ by pointing out ‘You cannot run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.’ This led me down the path of environmentalism and learning more about how our decisions impact our planet, wildlife, natural vegetation, and our future here. What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? I feel as though it has been a slow transition for me, so it has not been too challenging. I also accept that I am not perfect at sustainable living and do not aim to be. I think it’s far too easy to become obsessed with perfection which can lead to an unhealthy mindset. Whereas I think we all need to be a bit kinder to ourselves and do what we can, within our own capacity. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? I believe that living in alignment with your personal morals and values is truly rewarding and everyone should find something that they’re passionate about and pursue it. There are obvious benefits for the planet and people that range from supporting liveable wages for garment workers to supporting local sustainable farmers. For me personally, living simple helps calm my anxious mind and allows me to express my empathy in practical ways every day. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down?
Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful?
What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? This last year was the final year of my uni degree (Bachelor of Health Science & Nutrition), so most of my time has been dedicated to finishing that and working in the student clinic. It was a year of putting everything I had learnt into practise. Throughout the year I really began to notice that so many patients weren’t meeting their basic needs of sleep, movement, relaxation, happiness and of course; nutrition. Nutrition is complex and individualised; but what I realised is that for so many people, the first step in healing or overcoming a health condition was to actually just go back to basics first and ensure these needs are being met. Simple changes really can make a huge impact, and I think this can be applied to so many areas of life. What would you like to learn about or do in the future? I would like to learn more about growing our own seasonal food. We already grow some herbs and veggies, but there is just so much more to learn in the way of permaculture. If money or time were no option what would you like to do? I’d love to run my own nutrition clinic with likeminded practitioners in a centre that also caters to sustainability – nutrition, fashion, food, homewares… coffee! A girl can dream. 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? I am currently in the process of developing a website and Instagram for myself as a nutritionist, so I will keep Margy posted and maybe she will be able to share that once it is up and running 😊 The evidence is clear that when we’re connected to nature, connected to our inner selves and connected to other people, we live healthier and happier lives. Today I would like to introduce you to Kathryn Walton. I met Kathryn in 2019 when we were both presenters at the Goondiwindi Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women's Network Conference and we hit it off straight away. I really enjoyed talking to Kathryn about her hiking trips and her passion for living a simple, intentional life. It is also her desire to encourage people to benefit from the healing properties of the great outdoors. Thanks Kathryn for being my guest today! 
Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? Living simply for me means:
Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? My practice towards living simply focuses on using fresh, home-prepared foods as much as possible including home-grown herbs, vegetables, fruit (when the possums leave some for us and when there is water in the dam!) and eggs. I also love to reuse and re-purpose instead of buying new things such as clothing, packaging and craft items. Going on regular multi-day walks carrying everything I need on my back serves to keep things in perspective. 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? As a child my parents grew a lot of our own fruit, vegetables and eggs. We grew up on home baking, home-made clothes and hand-knitted jumpers. It was normal to re-use and re-purpose all sorts of things to make items for the house or for play such as little tables and pot plant holders. I loved reading Grass Roots magazines and became interested in permaculture and self-sufficient lifestyles when I left home and had a place of my own to care for. It’s been a blessing to live on a bush block for the past 25 years and watch my own children develop a love for nature and a passion for the sustainability of our world. Although I had this wonderful foundation in my life, I’ve also pursued a busy lifestyle with lots of projects, volunteering and activities on the go. I think I’ve tried to fit ‘all the things’ into my life and to do them perfectly. But in more recent years I’ve felt the effects of being constantly on the go and striving. Even when you love your busy life, your physiology gets stuck in a stress response which can contribute to chronic health conditions. Being intentional about slowing down, connecting with nature in meaningful ways and living more simply has made a huge difference to how I feel and keeps me inspired to continue my journey and share healthy lifestyle information with others. What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? When life gets busy, I find it more challenging to maintain a lifestyle that is calm and nurturing. Each year I choose a word as my guide and this year I have two words – ‘spaciousness’ and ‘lightness’. If something doesn’t actively contribute to my sense of spaciousness or lightness, then I’m working on letting it go and keeping things simple. It’s not always easy to manage the inner stories about what you ‘should’ be doing. A practical challenge I find tricky to navigate is the issue of packaging on purchased goods that can’t be re-used or recycled. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? The benefits keep showing up as I move towards greater simplicity in living:
What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? I get so much joy in so many things that help me slow down!
Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? I love podcasts! Here are some that have helped me on my journey towards simpler living:
Some books I love:
A documentary that is very informative and motivating:
What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? Over the past year I’ve made some tweaks to my food shopping. I’ve been buying fruit and vegetables as often as I can from a store that resells local fresh farm produce rather than purchasing through the larger supermarkets. I also enjoy taking my own containers in to be filled with a wide range of consumable products at another local family-owned business which is also a drop-off point for several different recycling programs. I’m pretty excited to have just set off on my most recent learning adventures - soft cheese-making at home! What would you like to learn about or do in the future? I want to learn so many things but in the spirit of keeping things simple and living more richly I’d like to add value to what I already know rather than learning something completely new. I’d like to have the knowledge, skills and resources to continue to grow food plants through severe drought and very hot summers like we’ve had for the past few years. It would be wonderful if I could learn to improve my sourdough making too! And re-learn and practice playing the guitar. If money or time were no option what would you like to do? I’d spend way more time on multi-day walks and bike packing adventures with my husband, discovering and immersing ourselves in amazing natural landscapes, travelling to cooler places during the hot summers at home or visiting family and friends afar. I’d run the majority of my business online so I could continue to guide women towards improved mental health through connection with the outdoors. When I’m not travelling on adventures I’d love to be at home nurturing my permaculture garden, re-sewing old jeans and clothes into new useful garments and homeware, creating with wood, painting and sitting on my verandah in gratitude as I breathe deeply and watch my gorgeous free range chooks scratch around the yard. 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? My website is: https://www.kathrynwalton.com.au/ where you can send me a message, follow my blog and subscribe to my Grounded Inspiration newsletter which comes out about twice a month delivering inspiration and information to help you get connected with nature, with your inner self and with useful resources that up-level your health and well-being. Outdoors is my Therapy Podcast: Listen via my website https://www.kathrynwalton.com.au/wp1/podcast/ or using your favourite podcast app or player. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathrynwaltonconsulting/ Outdoors is my Therapy Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OutdoorsIsMyTherapy Racheal has long been fascinated by homesteading, nutrition, supplementation and health.
Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? For me, living simply is about living within our means, living from home (as opposed to going out frequently) and being good stewards of the time, relationships and resources, we are blessed with. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? I love trying so many DIY skills, but the one I frequently gravitate to, is food preservation. Partly because I love it, and partly because we are organic market gardeners, so I usually have some form of beautiful produce in abundance, to experiment with! 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 was blessed to grow up in a family where mum was a dedicated homemaker. All our main meals were made from scratch, a lot of our clothes were home sewn and she regularly baked fresh snacks for us. Once I got married and started my own family, I was often intrigued with how things were made. Cheese, bread, canned goods and the like. I would scour the local library for good books, and learn these skills from home. Over time, more interests were added, and I was greatly encouraged and mentored by an older friend who seemed to do everything from weaving to candle making! She taught me how to make soap, some time management skills and she also was a wonderful example of the peace that comes from living simply from home. We ended up even raising our own sheep and pigs for meat and trying things like sausage making from home. We presently keep bees and breed organic chickens and ducks. What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? Right now, living simply doesn’t feel like a challenge, but in the past the challenge has come when/if I feel like I need to do/make everything myself! Time just doesn’t always (or ever) permit, does it? Giving ourselves the grace to work with the seasons in our life, rather than against them, helps. For example, if you have a newborn baby, or sickness in the house or a family crisis...don’t feel bad about just buying what you need, instead of feeling guilt over not being able to make/do it all yourself. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? The health benefits of living simply are abundant. Our market gardening lifestyle means we eat a lot of fresh, chem-free produce, get adequate sunlight, plenty of fresh air and work from home, so we’re not always run off our feet driving places. As someone who’s experienced an autoimmune disease which generated a lot of brain-fog, I also appreciate how living simply and learning new skills can keep the mind active. And meeting new and inspiring people with similar interests is always a bonus. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? It’s a pleasure to have an afternoon or day where nothing is planned and my imagination bursts with creative ideas about what we can make/do. It’s also a pleasure to look at the pantry shelf and see nourishing home-preserved goodies, waiting there for us to eat. Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? Oh, my goodness, there’s so much inspiring material out there! I think the sources of inspiration change over time. I used to love checking out blogs like www.theprairiehomestead.com or www.theelliotthomestead.com. Weed 'em and Reap - https://www.weedemandreap.com is also interesting if you like to see how a smaller space can be used to homestead. www.wellnessmama.com is helpful for dietary, health, cleaning and remedial recipes. Some excellent books we’ve found: Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking and Curing by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn Hatching and Brooding Your Own Chicks by Gail Damerow Simple and Natural Soapmaking by Jan Berry The Market Gardener by Jean Martin Fortier What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? Once covid restrictions hit, and poultry was in such high demand, I started learning more about refining our poultry breeding for higher hatch rates. The book I found most helpful is listed above. What would you like to learn about or do in the future? I’d love to know more about herbs and their uses. If money or time were no option what would you like to do? I’d love to do more classes or drop-in sessions from home where interested people could come and learn the skills that they’re interested in. I’m also interested in teaching children basic skills like cooking from scratch. 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? We have a business website, www.birdsongmarketgarden.com.au where I occasionally blog, and that features a contact form where I can be emailed. It all started with one shirt. One very unique, well designed, European sports shirt from the 70’s. 
Living simply looks different for different people. What does living simply look like for you? For me, I love the sound of my 150-year old Heinisch tailor’s shears as they cut through fabric like a hot knife through butter. Spending time with a piece of fabric to consider how the end product will look. Do you have a specific interest that you like to focus on in the area of simple living? I love to rummage through op shops and always have. I seem to have an eye for the unusual. Our holidays are planned around vintage and op shopping. 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? It all started with one shirt that I found in an op shop in 1995. I wore it until it practically fell of my back. I was so attached to the style I unpicked it and had a pattern drafted allowing me to make more. My initial plan was to manufacture clothes on a global scale which would have involved creating fabric overseas, manufacturing and distributing without doing any part of the work myself, other than overseeing operations. I attended a presentation by Jane Milburn, who introduced me to the concept of slow clothing, and pointed out the environmental and human cost of fast fashion. At that point I realised there was no way I could follow through with the original idea. I had a request to make a garment out of some of the original fabric I had printed in a small run. Not wanting to ruin the good fabric, I hit up a local op shop and grabbed a pile of linen. I figured I could do test garments before making the original one. I was pleasantly surprised with the finished look, giving me comfort in knowing I can create a range of original shirts with a clear conscience from recycled fabric, making them truly original. What do you find challenging about trying to live simply? Recognising when enough fabric is enough. What are some of the benefits of this way of life for you? The many road trips, spent with my life partner, in search of the best op shops in the country, and the stays we have in our camper. What simple pleasures bring you joy and help you to slow down? Road trips, camping, appreciating nature from sunrise to sunset. Are there any podcasts, books, documentaries or websites that you have found helpful? I have been enjoying a podcast called The Quick Unpick by Brittslist. It’s a collaboration between Britt’s List and Ethical Clothing Australia. Over a series of episodes Britanie Dreghorn talks to a number of ECA-accredited Australian businesses who are manufacturing locally. My go to book that keeps me grounded is Jane Milburn’s Slow Clothing. It’s a constant reminder of why I started on this journey and has a multitude of ideas for the reader to harness and lighten their footprint. What is something new that you have done or learnt about in the last year? The last year was an interesting one, with many valuable lessons. We travelled around Queensland and still have a lot more to see, spent a lot more time at home and were forced to slow down. Other than creating shirts my other passions are playing music and drawing. The extra time over the last year allowed me to dabble more in those areas. What would you like to learn about or do in the future? In the future, I’d like to experiment more with original fabrics, printing and using natural dyes. And more collaborations with other artist and designers If money or time were no option what would you like to do? I think it’s important to educate as many people as possible about what they can do individually to change from mass consumerism to being eco warriors, knowing that once something is learned it can’t be unlearned. Taking every opportunity to educate the simplicity of creating something new from something already used. 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? https://papadrew.myshopify.com/ https://www.instagram.com/papadrew.au/ https://www.papadrew.com.au/  
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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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