For years I have been striving towards living simple living. Years ago I wanted to know how to live a simple life and be happy.
But what does it really mean to live a simple life? Is a simple life better? Do you want to know how to live the simple life?
If slowing down and embracing a life that is less complicated and more satisfying is on your list of things to do, you are not alone. Many people are dreaming that same dream with you!
But first, what is simple living? If you look at the Merriam-Webster website their definition of The Simple Life is this:
THE SIMPLE LIFE
“Used to refer to a manner of living in which a person does not own many things or use many modern machines and usually lives in the countryside.”
Living a simple life should not be confused with living an EASY life. Anyone who lives on a homestead or a farm knows daily life is anything but easy.
There are chores to do and animals to feed. Homesteaders often have long driveways to shovel in the winter and large yards in the summer to mow.
There are gardens to tend, and fences to fix, and wood to be chopped. Don’t forget about the canning that needs to be done, and meals from scratch that need to be cooked, and children who need to be home schooled.
Laundry to be hung on the line, and cows or goats to be milked, and goats and sheep to be birthed.
Obviously not everyone living the simple life will be doing all of the above.
We are very early in our journey and the chores and activities in our simple life only include chickens and barn cats, ducks, a puppy, homeschooling, chopping wood, baking and cooking and cleaning, and soon to be gardens.
But a simple and peaceful life isn’t about a number of chores or activities or lack thereof. So what is simple living all about? Learn how to not feel overwhelmed by embracing a the benefits of simple living.
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LIVING A SIMPLE LIFESTYLE – HOW TO LIVE THE SIMPLE LIFE
It’s about being more self-sufficient.
Growing your own food, sewing your own clothes or blankets, preserving your harvest or raising animals for milk, eggs, or meat. These are all ways you can practice self-sufficiency.
It’s about learning new skills to do what you need to do to be self sufficient.
To learn to fix your fence yourself, or learning to bake your own bread, or teaching yourself how to sew an apron rather than buy one. There are so many ways to learn these skills.
It used to be that if you didn’t learn this skill from a parent or grandparent that it was hard to develop. However, with the internet there is a ton of information on every subject right at your fingertips.
It’s about living on less.
Like that old saying goes, “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Living a simple life on less will mean you don’t have to worry about making a fortune, and you will most likely find it creates a happiness and peace in your life when you have less.
More stuff often equals more chaos. Minimalist living can help with the stress in your life.
If you struggle with your budget and living on less, it may be time to get some help. This budget workbook at The Budget Mama to help you get started and live a life of less so that you can be FILLED with more joy and peace.
It’s often about natural health.
This one is a newer one that I’ve been incorporating in my life. Simple living has had me give more consideration to the kind of food I am putting in my body, and what I am reaching for when health issues arise.
I want to be eating whole foods, and I want to be using natural remedies when I am able (though conventional medicine definitely has it’s place and I am thankful for it when it is needed!)
So we grow gardens, raise our own meat chickens, make things like elderberry syrup and fermented garlic for our immune systems, and use essential oils for our health.
It’s about slowing down.
We live in a world where when we ask someone how they are, the reply is often “busy” and we proudly wear it around like a badge. But our plates are full and we are often trying so desperately hard to keep all the balls in the air.
To live simply is to slow down, and live more intentionally. When we say yes to something, it means we are saying no to something else.
Be sure you aren’t saying no to the things that bring you peace.
It’s about being thankful for what you have been blessed with.
Being thankful for your husband and your kids and your home. It’s about seeing the beauty and blessings in each day.
No matter what happens in your day, no matter how much money you have in your bank, no matter what trials you are walking through, there is always something to be thankful for.
Sure, some days it’s harder than others to find something to be thankful for, but there is always something.
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE AND HOME
In our home we strive to live a simpler life, but I know we will never live a complete simple life. Like the definition says up at the top, you limit the amount of modern machines you use while living a simpler life.
While we probably have less modern machines than many people, we won’t be giving up our van or riding lawn mower anytime soon. And I’m not going to lie, I dream of the day we can get snow blower for that long driveway.
Also, in the definition up above it says that people who live the simple life USUALLY live in the country. While this is probably true, I know many people who live a simple life in the city.
If you are wondering where to move to live a simple life, the answer is you don’t have to move anywhere to simplify things.
I believe it is possible to live a simple life no matter where you live. Living a simple life helps you weed out the clutter in your life to make room for more of the things that matter.
SIMPLE LIVING IS WORTH IT IF YOU STICK WITH IT
It can be difficult at first to live a simple life. Not only may it be a new way of life for yourself, it can feel uncomfortable going against what everyone around you is doing.
People may question your new way of life because they don’t quite understand it. That’s typical when we do something that goes against the norm.
Over time the people around you will adjust, and so will you as you ease into simple living.
There is nothing quite like simple living, in my opinion. While not the perfect life, it takes off the pressure to keep up with “the Joneses”. Our children have embraced more time at home to be creative without the many demands this modern world can put on us.
We spend more time together as a family. For us, it just works.
What about you? Do you live a simple life? Or do you wish you could slow your current life down?
Related: How you can be a “Homesteader” no Matter Where you Live
I know I have done the 100 thing challenge and I feel so much freedom. I feel peace and contentment. I can focus on the things that really matter and don’t have to worry so much about money infact I will be debt free very soon. That also will take the stress away!! Simplicity is the best👍
I need to slow my life down. I am getting burnt out and need to re-centre without dropping any balls.
I am a Busy busy Profesional and a year ago right before Covid hit I decided to live a Simpler life as life was passing me by.
I got sick with flu-maybe covid was sicker than ever -thought I’d die and had to work- but don’t recall any of it with high fever. I recovered on my own somehow after 2 weeks with only Gods grace and began my search for my true dreams… I bought land acreage, a home seller financing and slowly due to finances and prior commitments- I am living a simpler life bit by bit.
Before I never missed a call or client meeting ever -over my family because as single mom I had to feed them clothe them roof- their fun and lifestyle but so much I missed of value & time as they grew.
I realized almost too late what really matters. Yes we need food, a home and fun but not the way I was doing it.
I’ll never get those years, moments back while I worked & worked feeling I did it for my children when in fact.. I had no time for them and I aged working my life away doing so. Things Do not matter Love, your time, presence & morals, values, simple pleasures matter.
Do it before its too late, before the kids are grown and if they are still do it.
My Grandma worked but always put us kids first…tea, baking, arts, walks, hikes, lessons in life, she made time for us but for herself and my Grandpa first. It was a beautiful life- im starving for, striving for
now its what truly matters – at least to me- for my family.
If I lost it all I’d find a way because of God and these values and knowledge of what’s truly important- for me family time, moments- A Simple Beautiful life!
This is a life we decided to start living last year. We sold 2 houses and bought one on 2.6 acres in the country. We wanted to just get back to the simple life. I love it. We are making a homestead for ourselves and living the best simple life possible.
Sounds like a perfect place to live! 🙂