When was the last time that you allowed yourself to day dream? I mean really let your mind just wander so that you could day dream to find your real dreams and goals that you want to achieve in your life.

Day Dreaming In Your Youth

I have always been a day dreamer.  I always have been and probably always will be.  

It seems that I have also passed this rather odd trait on to my children as well.  Tractor Man is so often off in his own little dream world that I simply just sit and listen to him pretend and day dream. He has all of these ideas for what we can do with “our life”.  It is a breath of fresh air.

That is the best part about being a kid. They can dream as much as they want. The real world has not hindered their thoughts yet.

What I’m Day Dreaming About

With all of the thoughts crossing my mind I cannot help but hope for a simpler life for everyone.  There is so much that goes on in our day to day lives, even when we homestead and home school (so we have a few less outside distractions).  But I find myself longing for a slower pace, less of everything.

Can you imagine that?  Wanting less…

Society Says “No” to Wanting Less

Walk through a grocery store today and just listen to the kids as they talk. Wanting less is not something that you hear too often these days.  And to be honest, as parents, we want to give our children the best of everything.

Maybe the best is a little less.

A few less toys, so they can focus and imagine the day away with the ones they still have. Creative play is so important.

A few less hours of screen time, so they can have a real conversation with us or hear us read a story to them. Communication skills are a life skill that will help them go far in life.

A few less sugary treats, so they can learn what a healthy diet can do for their bodies.  And to learn that a treat is something we get in moderation-a new word! 😉 Or even more shockingly the idea of delayed gratification.

Less Is Good for Our Kids

But really giving our kids a bit less is not hindering them in life. 

Take a look back at the previous section. If you kids got less of one given thing they still gained in a different area. It may not always be what they are hoping for but it just might be something more meaningful.

 Yes, it may take adjustment time for them to get used to less candy, TV and toys but they will learn to appreciate and respect the times when they do have it.

Steps Toward a Simpler Life

Day dreaming of a simpler life is not something that has to stay a dream. We can take steps to make our lives more simple and more beautiful everyday.

I used to enjoy a great cup of coffee but I found that throughout the rest of the day I was agitated and anxious.  I was starting my day all wrong for me.

Your morning routine may require this but maybe you just need a warm beverage like I do.  I now have tea, way less anxiety and I am happier.  I have less coffee and more sleep at night.  I simplified my routine.

Today I encourage each of you to sit and dream.  

Make a list of those things you really want to do.  Vacations you want to take, people you want to visit, moments you want to share as a family.

Dream a little.  What is it that you want?  Take away the hustle and bustle of the world and ask yourself what would make you happy.  Write it down so you remember it.  Place it where you will see it often, even daily.

Turn Your Dreams Into Your Goals

Once you have made that amazing list of things that will make you happy in life its time to take the next step. 

Get after it! RIGHT NOW!

Go set a few daily, weekly and monthly goals that can help you get a little bit closer everyday to reaching those final big dream goals. 

If you truly want to achieve your dreams in life you have commit a little bit of time every single day to helping to make them happen. Success and achievement usually do not just happen. You have to work for it!

Now go get dreaming and make them into reality. I would love to hear what your dreams are and the simply goals you have created to help you achieve them. 

Happy homesteading.

Photo Credit to Laura Chouette.