As we emptied a 20 pound sack of flour into a storage container this morning, I found myself reflecting on how life has changed for me since we’ve been here (close to four years now).

First, I spend a lot more time outside now, especially in the garden. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but there is always something to do. Watering, planting, harvesting. Here is this morning’s harvest.

There seem to be things growing everywhere inside the house now too, and I am hoping for a fruitful garden into the winter. I am working on broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potato starts…all good winter crops I’m told.

I drive less and spend much less time in town, doing shopping or other tasks. But when we do go to town, we tend to spend a large portion of the day there.

I spend more time cooking, and we are eating much better. Less processed, pre-prepared, packaged food. More whole foods and things made from scratch. I’m making a lot of bread and weird things I never imagined making like yogurt, cheese, and granola.

I am much more aware of the world around me — what season it is, when the sun sets, what’s blooming, what animals are around, and especially the weather. Whether it might rain is not only entertaining, but it makes an actual difference in life here.

Of course, I’m more physically active and better able to do a variety of things for myself. I’m also creating more — writing, building, making photos and videos.

I’m seeing and talking to fewer people on a day to day basis, but enjoying richer relationships and interactions online.

I seldom wear makeup, fix my hair, or fuss much about my clothes now, even when I go out.

I’m working less (especially paid work), sometimes by choice, sometimes not. I think that’s probably improving my overall quality of life, but sometimes adding stress and uncertainty as well. (I’m working on that.)

Mostly, life has slowed down and become more intentional. I’m defining success and happiness differently, doing fewer things that someone has made me think I “should” do and doing more things that I want to do or that feel good or right.