The principle of biodiversity is at the root of what makes permaculture work. Imagine what it would be like to not have to out-source everything in your life, that everything you need is there for you to make it all work. Everything is close together, one thing extending into the next and you can tangibly feel like an actual flow or rhythm happening.
If you live on a farm and put this principle into practice, you don’t need to buy manure because animals do it for you. You don’t need to use water from a hose because your rainwater barrels supply enough. You don’t have to buy eggs every week because they’re in your own back yard. Milk too. All the staples are there so you don’t have to keep running out for groceries.
This is about creating a lifestyle that runs smoothly, with ease. Your home is the centre of that lifestyle. It’s the place you start and end everyday so if the atmosphere doesn’t give you a sense of calm ground, then switch it up and experiment with how to apply this principle.
So, simply look for ways to put things closer together. Stop out-sourcing everything by dividing everything and keeping score of who does what and when. Make your home run in ways that feel easy and simple by taking up this principle yourself then offering it to the loves you live with. This is common-sense but our world is not set up this way.
Better yet, let’s take the issue of what to cook for supper. You haven’t bought groceries in a while and its five o’clock and the kids are hungry. You could run up to the grocery store or have your partner pick up a pizza but that might be an unnecessary waste of money and time. Instead look at what you have and use it. Feed you family in a way that requires creativity. Maybe you’ll end up spending more time planning your purchases and saving money too.
After dinner, have the sink of hot water ready or know that putting them in the dishwasher now means that you don’t have to come back to the mess later (after the kids are in bed and all you want to do is read in the tub). Putting the daily tasks closer together means you free up bigger chunks of time for yourself later. You can get your kids in on this too. Instead of cleaning up toys, make it a daily ritual to do it together and make it easy with baskets.
You could bring back the idea of a washing day in your home or a day when you do food prepping for the week. Whatever you choose to do to apply this principle will reap far more than the benefits of a tidier home. It will allow to you create a rhythm that works for your family’s unique needs.
Tell us what you think in the comments below:
Tell us what you think in the comments below!
There is a whole week in our Lazy-Lady Living program devoted to the topic of Seasonal Rhythms and Family Harmony. Click the image below to read all about it: