Here’s the secret about simplifying your life: Sometimes it just leads to really boring days.
It’s getting cold down here in Tassie and Carl and I have been settling into life lived at a different pace. We’ve just got back from a fortnight’s stint housesitting my brother’s farm (and looking after his adorable doggo, Wolf). While we were there I had no motivation to write. In truth I found that I had nothing much to write about.
Our days were spent setting the fire to cook breakfast on the wood stove (which also heated the washing up water), checking the solar and the fences, feeding the cows and doing our work. Design Tasmania are now stocking Carl’s jewellery, so he needed to get pieces ready for them and he’s been designing a new collection of rings to enter into the upcoming National Contemporary Jewellery Award, while I have been getting on with my client work.
We walk each day (including a gorgeous one at Liffey Falls which I highly recommend) and spend some time with my family and other than that we haven’t been do a whole lot. Nothing to write home about you might say. And as a blogger who wants to deliver great content, that can be quite confronting.
This week I came across an article I read a while back entitled, ‘What if all I want is a mediocre life’. In it the author poses the question:
“What if I am not cut out for the frantic pace of this society and cannot even begin to keep up? And see so many others with what appears to be boundless energy and stamina but know that I need tons of solitude and calm, an abundance of rest, and swaths of unscheduled time in order to be healthy. Body, spirit, soul healthy. Am I enough?
…What if I embrace my limitations and stop railing against them. Make peace with who I am and what I need and honour your right to do the same. Accept that all I really want is a small, slow, simple life. A mediocre life. A beautiful, quiet, gentle life. I think it is enough.”
This idea resonates with me a lot but it’s so contradictory for what society (read: Disney) tells us to aspire to – do more, want more, work harder. Reach for the stars. Follow your dreams. Be ambitious.
So much of how we live these days is played out in idealised form on social media – a curated view of the best bits that don’t reveal the reality that mostly you’ve just been sleeping ten hours a night because you’re still recovering from big smoke residue. Authenticity is one of my most important values, so I’ve got no interest in staging artificial experiences
I guess maybe I do want a mediocre life – sure perhaps it’s one that comes with beautiful sunsets (see above for case in point), starry skies and weekends away in our van – but mainly I want a life where I am healthy and rested and go on walks and eat good, simple wholesome food. I want to feel well and connected to nature and at peace. And sometimes that looks pretty boring. Sorry folks.
How does the idea of aiming for a ‘mediocre life’ sit with you? Tell me in the comments below. x
Thanx Tab u made me stop & think. Mediocrity is a lie of this world’s judgment. For me Boredom is a restless soul , unsatisfied, discontent spirit.
Mediocrity can b rich peace, feeling whole , satisfied fulfilled, loved & joy in the so called simple , ordinary, everyday happenings. This can b listening to the rhythm of my breathing, the birds chirping, appreciating my husbands warmth, the stillness of early morning, looking at my sons etc. It’s stopping – listening/ seeing the goodness. It’s a thankful spirit not a demanding spirit. It’s choosing to rest & understand in the frustrations & controllingness. For me it’s learning to surrender more to the most , loving, knowing & trustworthy Being my creator Lord.
I loved this comment so, so, much, Lynn. Profound, poignant and beautifully put. I loved getting this little window into your inner world. Thank you. xxxx
I think the answer is that all of us are different which enables us to do the things in life we were designed to do. The trick is, I believe, being content with that and not striving to be someone you are not. Celebrate our differences I say. Love to hear from your life down there. Love to you all xx.
Couldn’t agree more, Ruth. Thanks for reading my blogs too! xxxx
I am away myself and doing just what comes. Your article is interesting to me as I went through a time when I felt I had nothing to add to my friends. When you hit retirement age there are friends who are always planning the next trip or very committed to doing ministry every day. I was leading a very simple life next to MT with responsibilities to care for my animals and grow veggies. What could I talk about with my friends so I withdrew. This didn’t work as I became lonely and angry with the life of singleness. I then realised I had lost myself in this loneliness so was prompted by the Holy Spirit to accept who I was and how God is moulding me into the person he wants to be able to use to bring glory to his name.
Interesting to hear this perspective, Jenny, and know that these ponderings can occur at any stage of life! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! It’s very easy to grow restless/ dissatisfied with the life we have before us but comparison is a killer of joy.
Here’s to wanting/loving mediocrity! I don’t strive to do more or be more, I love exactly who I am, who I portray, where I am (once my new house is built 😉) and who I am doing it with. It’s a very peaceful place to be xx.
Love this, Ellie. Here’s to that!
Ponderinngs in response to your blog. Pls excuse the disjointedness. I enjoy stillness and calm. Sometimes I like the busy rush too. But I always like to come back to the calm whether it be the warm sun on a cool day, diving under the water in the ocean, or just sitting and staring at nothing. We are such little creatures and we all have moments and seasons. I also then think of Eternity and that great phrase from ‘Amazing Grace’…’when we’ve been there one thousand years…’ What a brief whisper of air on earth we are. The simple life Tab, with bursts of brilliance and achievement…whatever that looks like…
Thanks Karen. Yes it’s good to step back and have that perspective on the Great Story of which we are all just playing one little part.
I have a life of pleasure, in the little things without the rush of doing just being.
My little things are being called Grandma, when Ellie sees me in the supermarket loudly, a hug from Louie few and far between for special reasons.
Sharing a new recipe with my husband, the pleasure of enjoying food together.
Being thankful and grateful for my home family friends all of which bring me joy.
A quiet gentle spirit of peace knowing and accepting who I am, happy contented in my aged skin.
Living in the day, giving to others, my life is never boring, my life is full.
loving the pace at which I live.
Love this description, Sandra. Makes me feel warm. Thank you 🙂
Good one Tabitha, what a great quote. It’s all too easy to be dissatisfied with our achievements if they’re not up there in neon lights and bringing us the accolades we think we need to be fulfilled. Bring on the simple life, much easier to stay sane.
Too true, Di! The pursuit of sanity is a major motivator in my life!
Amen to that. Yes in city life we are driven to always doing something! Having ‘nothingness’ day to a city dweller it almost ludicrous. Living life in community is really checking in with how people are going and giving a helping hand to those who could use your skills. That’s the body of Christ way of doing things. You may have weaknesses that other’s have strengths in, thus living in community meet all your needs. Some days, weeks and months going by feeling like I have not achieved anything! However, looking back in my day one diary I keep for my sons homeschooling. We have achieved lots.
Love this perspective, Heidi. Thank you for the contributions you make to this lovely community and thanks for making me feel so welcome. xxx
Yes, I’ve just taken my first ‘mental health’ (read REST) day this term. Coming out of the frantic, frazzled season of report writing on top of life as a lead teacher, new wife and new city life deal. What a precious, precious rainy day it’s been… Welcome, mediocrity!
BTW – Carl’s new line looks amazing.
Hi Claire, so lovely to hear from you. I am glad to hear you are prioritising self care. The impacts of the big life events you’ve described shouldn’t be underestimated. Even positive changes can take their toll on your wellbeing if you don’t take the time to rest! Where are you living now? Go gently!!