back to basics

Some say you learn the most when times are tough.  I’m inclined to agree.   Whether it’s in my personal life, or simply looking at the big picture around me, it’s the trying times that seem to bring about the most change. 

Several years ago I learned from a wise friend that when my surroundings were organized, I was much happier.  When my house was clean, I experienced a sense of accomplishment and comfort.  When you’re surrounded by chaos, you tend to feel a bit chaotic.

On a broader level, I see changes in people as technology advances.  The more connected we become through cell phones and laptops to our careers, and even friends and family, the more we seem to lose our own sense of self, and the more angry we become.  Instead of having time to ourselves to even perform mundane tasks, we feel the need to talk on the phone while grocery shopping or driving.  We can’t enjoy a night at home with friends, family, or just by ourselves without checking in at work through e-mail.  We can’t take a day of vacation without checking our voice mail at work.  We tend to think things will fall apart if we aren’t connected, yet that never ends up happening if we do take some well-deserved time away.

Over the past several months I’ve realized this connectedness was making me extremely unhappy.  I didn’t enjoy being at everyone’s beck and call.  So I made a few changes.  Just because the phone rang didn’t mean I had to answer it.  If I needed time to myself, I could keep that time for me, I didn’t have to give it away to friends.  I didn’t have to check into work on my earned vacation days, or even when I was sick enough not to go to work.  After all, there’s a reason you’re staying home.

Every time I made the decision to keep the time for me, rather than give it away, it built my happiness up just a little bit more.  I started a journey towards contentedness, and this is a path I intend to stay on.

I want to simplify my life.  I’m not convinced that as a society we are on the right track.  Everything has become more convenient, but people seem to be unhealthier and unhappier than ever before.  I think there’s something to be said for slowing down a bit and taking the time to do some things for yourself.

Over the past couple of years I’ve learned to make good food from simple, quality ingredients.  It took time; after all, it was only ten years ago I classified a “Create-A-Meal” as a home-cooked meal.  I love my cookbooks, and I’m excited for Ina Garten’s new one, which will ship tomorrow.  I’m not ashamed to admit I pre-ordered it as soon as it was available.  I’m really looking forward to looking through it, as well as to actually cooking the recipes.  I don’t always follow everything to the letter; often I take a recipe and morph it into my own.  I definitely have gotten a lot of inspiration from her books.  And the recipes I do follow?  Everything always turns out!  It’s a big reason I’m such a loyal follower.

I’ve noticed as I’ve switched my diet over to more natural ingredients that my body tends to revolt any time I consume food laden with preservatives.  That’s not to say I always eat natural, whole foods, because I don’t.  But I strive for balance and usually pay the price when I choose convenience over quality.

My taste buds also get rather angry when I choose convenience.  Foods I used to love now taste like cardboard.  I’m not talking sandwich cookies, either, I’m talking cookies from the grocery store bakery (many still are using trans fats in their baked goods).  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been let down by former favorites.  You’d think this would mean I’m healthier now, but since I’m an ok baker, but really it just means I make everything myself.  Oh well, at least I expend a little energy actually making my food and cleaning up the mess.  And I do feel like I’m returning to a more basic lifestyle by making a dessert myself.  It’s taking away a level of convenience by not just running to the store to satisfy a craving, but it also provides a sense of satisfaction in knowing that I created something.

I am firmly convinced that despite the excess pounds I carry, I have excellent bloodwork because I cook most of my own food with fresh ingredients.  I may not get all of my servings of fruits and veggies in every day of the week (I’m still working on that one), but I am preparing my own food, and it’s actually real food, not chemicals.  Day by day I am taking steps towards being the person I want to be and living the life I want to live.