Great ideas. We've got a lot of other wildlife around and my place too. I'm sure he'd enjoy that.

Lol this is very true 🤣. Point taken

This is a great idea having a physical representation for an intangible gift, thank you!

Good idea he loves that kind of stuff!!!

Maybe there's a good middle road. come up with, say, 3 breakfast plans and 5 lunch plans that you rotate between. For what it's worth, my breakfast is a bowl of pecan granola with homemade almond milk and some fresh berries (usually blueberries) with a cup of coffee. For lunch I have an OM mushroom protein shake to drink and eat a roasted red pepper hummus sandwich with a spinach salad topped with olive oil and vinegar and a side of carrots/cucumbers/apple or something else from the garden.

Now that I think of it. I guess I do change things up a bit. So could have some staple items and them some items that you change for variety, but it's not overwhelming like planning a whole meal. Like how I change my granola berries and my lunch side fruit/veggie occasionally

Ive started eating the same thing for breakfast and lunch every single day and supper is my wildcard that changes every day. I also have standard snacks that I have in hand that doesn't change (like apples and grapes). To be clear, I am not a dietitian, and I'm not positive this is particularly healthy, though I do try to make my breakfast and lunch as healthy as possible I've found be streamlining those two meals has really cuts down on my decision fatigue and so I feel less burnt out only having to plan for the next week of suppers. It also has made me enjoy deviations from my routine much more, like when eating out. I go grocery shopping every Tuesday after work. Shopping weekly, but not on Saturday or another popular day helps avoid the crowd AND Monday is when my grocery store gets it's weekly shipment, so everything is fresh and lasts all week. I hope this helps!

I hear you, and I've really enjoyed our discourse. I think we're about 95% on the same page here, but you know how difficult trying to clearly communicate through text can be. I'm not sure I agree that how a society treats someone is more important than their internal sense of self worth, and that may be our sticking point that we can't reconcile, but I'm not saying your wrong. That point is completely defensible, but not how I see things.

For what it's worth, conversing with you has added value to my life and expanded my perspective. Though we've never met, and I'll most certainly never shake your hand or look you in the eye, I value you.

I wish you and anyone reading this to be well and have peace 😊

Thank you for your well put reply, and I agree, your position is not without roots. Though, I'd like to humbly suggest that your points may actually support the notion that runaway modern capitalism does not effectively determine a person's value. I would argue that the fact that a paragon can struggle economically and a grifter can swindle their way to high fortune shows that capitalism does not equitably reward good and punish evil. Therefore, a person should not allow their financial status (the value capitalism has assigned them) to be the measure of their personal value.

On the point of the system's undervaluing of people and their work (which is absolutely true) making it harder to lead a simple life, I'm not sure the two are connected. Being compensated well makes things much much easier, but that doesn't make things simpler. A person can live a very modest life that is simple, tranquil, and full of joy. Someone can also be extremely wealthy and ambitious with a fast paced life full of complexity, stress, and anguish.

I'm very sorry that youre feelings stuck. It's frustrating and it absolutely can feel patronizingly when you're struggling for better and someone tries to placate you with platitudes. But, the gift of simple living is that by appreciating the little things, removing stressful complexly, and slowing down, anyone in any situation can have more peace and happiness in their situation, even if it doesn't get better.

Warmest wishes my friend and be well.

I find that I tend to spend a lot on just about everything I buy 😅. I have a lot of check boxes for the things I buy, like being ethically sourced, environmentally friendly, fair trade, look for B certified, etc. Consequently, I try not to buy very much. I'm sure I'm probably being taken for a chump with "green washing," but that's on them, not me.

In particular, I find that I spend more on food because I try to buy local and support small producers. I also try to get BIFL items when it comes to tools and things notice that I use frequently.

$1.37 on GOG? Yes please 😁

I changed from working 40 hours a week to 32 hours per week (4 x 8 hour days) and it has really helped my mental health. Took some adjustment financially, but now I don't even notice! Highly recommend!

This is such a clear and concise explanation of what simple living is ☺️. This is a great start for someone new to simple living and also a great refresher for refocusing those already embracing the lifestyle ❤️.