Simple is as simple does, is a credo I try to live by. I encourage others with small steps that can be used to bring simplicity to your life for the first time, or the thirty-first time. The fact is that even the simplest life can begin to become chaotic as life changes occur. Living a simple life is about the journey and the end result, as well as the learning process along the way. Taking small bits of time to record the process is instrumental in continuing forward. The simplest way to record this is to keep your records is to place notes in one special area of your planner, calendar, or Family Notebook. Another is to keep them logged in a small personal notebook that you are able to keep handy at all times. You never know when you will come across a neat idea, tip, or direction.

I am always amazed when it is time to review my life and see what needs to be trimmed in order to achieve the simple balance that is right for our family. I look back at the methods and choices we have made in the past, where we are, and our goals for the future. Why am I amazed? I always discover nuggets of information that I previously overlooked. Reviewing provides a time for evaluating all of those ideas and methods. I can easily access information about what worked, what didn’t, and why.

One of the best reasons to keep track of your journey to simplicity is that an effort, idea, or tip that worked in the past, may not work in the present. Something that failed in the past may be right for your family in the present. A task that did not fit your small family may be just what your larger family now needs. Sorting through these and knowing which to seriously consider is a matter for intimate prayer and counsel with your husband. I have found that our family runs the smoothest when I ask my children some questions about our lifestyle past, present, & future, take these answers and present them to the hubby and ask for his opinions and counsel, and take it to the Lord in prayer. Using this information I have been able to tweak our lives as needed to return to a simpler lifestyle when chaos is creeping in through the cracks or has flat out knocked the door down!

The reason I bring this process to your attention is that while our family has been recently tweaking our lives to regain simplicity due to unexpected jumbling, is that God has never steered us wrong. Our goal is to live within God’s will and purpose for our family. I practice what I preach. Most recently, the Holy Spirit has revealed to me that my priorities were in contradiction to God’s set of priorities for Christian living. My life is filled with all good things! I even consider the not so good things, such as my declining health over the last several months as a good thing because I have learned and grown so much. God uses all things for His good. Accepting and working with this will change your attitude and how you handle your own journey to simplicity. A willing and quiet attitude that is obedient to God’s purpose for your family will accomplish more than all the works you can ever do.

Leslie Valeska is the wife of Thomas and homeschooling mother of four children who reside in SW Florida. Her family operates Fresh Gear Solutions, LLC and enjoys RVing. She is the founder and director of Simple Journey Ministries which was established to encourage, inspire, and support women on their journey to Godly womanhood. Leslie is also employed as a vintage seamstress by Vintage Vixen.