Simple living is the intentional focus in all areas of our lives on relationships, actions and belongings that bring the most value and joy to us as individuals.
What we value is subjective, and will look different for each of us. Simplifying your life involves looking deeply into your everyday actions and interactions, and recognizing what to let go of, what to keep, and why.
Simplifying life requires asking yourself questions about what motivates you everyday, and recognizing the true answers, making adjustments along the way to simplify possessions, habits, thoughts and sometimes even relationships that aren’t helping you be the best version of yourself.
There are areas in each of our lives that when simplified, create a life that brings increased happiness and contentment to ourselves, and in turn, to those with whom we interact.
These areas include –
- Home
- Clothing
- Food
- Money
- Career
- Relationships
- Expectations
- Media
Who should embrace simple living?
If you are here reading this, chances are you are searching for something beyond what your life currently looks like. Something more than all that you have collected in your home, beyond your daily commitments, a consuming career, unhappy relationships, stress from ‘the world’ and more.
Take a moment to think about it, ‘what are you searching for?’, ‘what are you tired of?’
You may be able to pinpoint the exact feeling, thought or action that is causing discontent, or it may just be a general feeling of something not right with how life is going, feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. If any of this is the case, it is the exact reason why simplicity is so important. Simple living will help you identify the specifics of what needs to change in your life, and it will help you make those changes.
If you are here because somehow you just landed on this site about simple living while browsing the vast regions of the web, and there isn’t anything particularly troubling you about life as it is, you may as well learn about the possibility of what a simpler life could offer to anyone, including you!
More time. Simplifying everyday parts of life, decisions made and your routine all leads to an increase in time to spend on what is truly important to you. Simplifying could look like spending less time cooking, decreasing clothing choices, getting rid of furniture to open up floor space and spend less time cleaning. It could look like simplifying your morning routine and only washing your hair three times a week instead of everyday. It could look like using the crockpot or sous vide to make dinner a couple of nights a week, rather than spending hours in the kitchen. There are endless possibilities when it comes to making life simpler, and as a result, adding more free time to your day.
More money. Simple living usually leads to buying fewer items. You just don’t need them, and eventually you won’t want them filling up your space, either. Money that would have been spent on the latest phone, purse or clothing can either be saved, or spent on experiences and making memories, or both. You can also purchase high quality items when you do need something new, and you will have the monetary resources to do so. If you work a lot, making your wants simpler can give you the option of working less, as you won’t need the same income to support as many purchases.
Cleaner home. Reducing your possessions to include only those that you use regularly and enjoy, creates a simpler home that does not require nearly as much cleaning. Most of us live by the 80/20 rule in many ways without realizing it, and this applies to our belongings as well. We use 20% of our belongings, 80% of the time. Simple living helps you get rid of the excess and free up space and time you would spend cleaning, tidying and just dealing with ‘stuff’.
Deeper relationships. When you remove the excess in life that is using up your time, energy and attention, you can see the relationships in your life with others, and yourself, more clearly. You’ll notice if they are strong, if they need to be built up, repaired, or if you need to move on from them. You’ll have more time to spend creating new relationships, or to strengthen existing ones. You’ll have time to stop and think, to get to know yourself and how you relate to the world you live in and those around you. You’ll live with more ease and intention.
These are just a few of the benefits associated with purposely taking a simpler approach to life. There are many seemingly smaller, everyday benefits that when combined, add up to a life of more time, more resources and more contentment. Read on to find out how to start simplifying your life today.
How to start simplifying your life –
Let’s take a look at some ways you can get started with simple living today in each of these areas that will move you towards living a more intentional life free from excess in both possessions, and mental clutter. Incorporate some, or all of these into your daily habits to begin your own personal journey toward living a life with more contentment and calm.
Home Decluttering
- Begin by decluttering these 8 spaces in your home for quick wins and to gain momentum.
Make a Capsule Wardrobe
- Capsule Wardrobe: Fall in love with your clothes. Use these tips to quickly hone in on your favorite clothing and styles.
Simple Whole Food Meals
- Simplify dinner and use fewer ingredients to make evening meals enjoyable while spending less time in the kitchen.
Stop Spending Money
- Being aware and intentional about our spending impulses can help us make decisions that will leave us financially better off. Consider using some of these ideas to gauge your own spending habits.
Adjust Expectations
- Finding balance in the expectations you have for yourself is important in that it gives you permission to do the right things at the right times. Sometimes you need rest, other times you know you should push yourself a little more. Don’t let the idea of perfection directed towards yourself, or others, cloud your expectations and happiness.
“When you stop expecting people (and yourself) to be perfect, you can love them for who they are.”
Digital Media Consumption
- Reducing the time we spend looking at our phones and computer screens when not necessary allows us the opportunity to be in the present. Most of the entertainment we use digital devices for involves reviewing past images, posts and information about people and events that have already happened. Reducing our digital distraction can create space and time for a meaningful present life.
Simple living is becoming recognized more and more as a fulfilling, peaceful lifestyle that brings meaning and purpose into people’s lives. Without the focus on a hurried, consumer driven lifestyle, full of activities and scheduled from dawn ‘til dusk, people are able to become more attuned to the needs of themselves, their families and those around them, as well as receiving benefits in their finances, health, relationships and really in every area of life.