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Simple Stress Free Living by Nikki Willhite   Life is complicated for today's modern women. There is just too much to do, and not enough time or energy to do it. Turn the clock back 25 years, and the situation for women was quite different. Although not as many women worked, women were expected to "do it all." I remember my life back in those days. I remember sewing clothing for my family, knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, baking bread, gardening, canning, freezing, and dehydrating food, all the while nurturing my children, helping with homework, paying bills, driving, cleaning, and endless volunteer work. WHEW! And yet....today, be it possible, life has gotten more hectic. The problem is that now, when working outside the home has been added to the equation for many of us, it is difficult to let go of the guilt associated with not doing all of the things that for so many years were expected of us. Personally, many times I have felt that I was running down a road to a destination I didn't even want to reach. If you are a 40 plus women, and you are experiencing these type of feelings, it is time to sit down and have a chat with yourself. Times have seriously changed. Everyone is seriously busy. A lot of people in the work force are now doing the work of 3 people. Even if you are one of the lucky ones who still have a comfortable work environment, you may be feeling the stress of a loved one who is in this situation. We have now arrived at the point where self-protection is necessary for our health, and it begins with us. There are some things we can't change. Our work load, the technologically advancing world, and the high cost of living may be with us for many years. IF YOU FEEL BURDENED, THEN HERE IS SOME ADVICE THAT MAY HELP YOU. FIRST OF ALL- accept the fact that the world has changed and it is okay for you to change also. It is okay to "let go" of the expectations of the past. You must set new priorities. As far as your time, work will be your first priority. As far as your life, YOU are your first priority. You must make time for yourself and the things you enjoy, or you are not going to enjoy life, and you may get sick. And that is not going to help anyone. Once you have accepted that you can change, you have an empty slate. It is time to decide what you want to do with the time not spent at work. Don't waste any time feeling badly about things you can no longer do. They sell ready-made bread in the store, you can pick up soft chenille throws, and last time I looked, Costco sells canned food by the case. STOP and think about what you REALLY want to do. Your best friend may keep beautiful scrapbooks of her family's activities, but if that is not what you want to do, just say "no", and put your pictures in a photo box. No one can have it all, and no one can do it all. Let everything that is not essential go. Find those one or two things that you really enjoy doing, and make time for them. We may not be able to change the world, but we can change ourselves. Let go of any guilt for things you no longer have time to do. Focus on what brings you joy, and don't feel guilty about it. This is about as close as many of us can come to living the "Simple Life." Should you find yourself slipping in your thought patterns, just remember this- a messy house won't kill you. Stress will. About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money!  Article first published at www.allthingsfrugal.com

 

 

 

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