I started this blog a year ago as a companion site to my new start as a full time stay-at-home-mom. I named the site “Home, naturally” because my decision to stay home with my children was purely based on a natural desire and instinct to do just that. It also seemed to fit that we do try to follow a mainly healthy lifestyle around here.
But the word “natural” had somehow become tainted, overused, and confusing and I thought it would be time to redefine it – for this blog only!
So here it is what we see as parts of living naturally:
It’s holistic. All parts are pointing in the same directions and all decisions are made and executed with every family member in mind.
It’s about feelings. At the end of the day, it’s about what feels right – for us. Just as our decision for me to stay at home was based on feelings and a strong sense that God was calling that way.
It’s about food. We plant, we buy fresh, we eat a lot of homemade, nourishing food. But most importantly, we prepare food as a family and eat together.
It’s about simplicity. We try to be very mindful of our and the Earth’s resources. Simplicity allows room for nature, beauty, and all the other things listed here to take center stage.
It’s about people. And it’s about being social and hospitable which means it is often more important to share the act of cooking or eating with others than it is about the actual food.
It’s about love. Love needs to be the focal point of our home. We love God, we love each other and we make sure we show that every.single.day.
It’s about curiosity. Life gets boring when you lose your curiosity. We are life-long learners. We want to raise our children as curious beings who embrace learning opportunities that come their way. We see this as something that comes naturally if you give it enough space to unfold.
It’s about purpose. We are thriving to find and fulfill our life’s purpose and to use all the talents God has given us.
What’s natural living not?
It’s not about competition. You do not get a mom award because you don’t allow your kids to have any cake (with frosting!) at the birthday party. It’s going to be okay if you only canned 10 glasses of jam this year. Really.
It’s not about who owns less. Simplifying can be very exciting and freeing but the guidelines need to be set by every family according to their own needs and values.
It’s not about treating food like an idol. Don’t sacrifice your obligations or relationships for the sake of natural living. It’s not about owning every single ingredient Whole Foods sells. We do the best we can but we do enjoy ice cream and pizza once in a while, too!
It’s not about making others uncomfortable with your choices. Celebrating time as a community is extremely important. So please, unless there are allergies, do not bring your own food to other people’s grill outs. Your kids will not be hurting when they get a bowl of chips instead of carrots.
It’s not about telling others how to live. Every life looks differently and needs different things.
I’m sure I missed some very important aspects of living naturally. But it’s a work in progress, just as this blog is. What are your thoughts? What would you add or change?
