What is Simple Living?
Simple living could be the answer if you are overwhelmed daily or struggling to find time for the things you enjoy. Simple living is a lifestyle about making choices that simplify our lives and promote a sense of ease. This involves reducing possessions, consumption, and work time to create more time and energy for what matters. It is about being in the moment and finding joy in the simple things.
While change does not happen overnight, the knowledge that we have control over certain aspects of our lives can be empowering and inspiring.
Why choose simple living?
In a world full of consumerism, spending money on material things, living paycheck to paycheck, and trying to keep up with everyone else, it’s easy to feel we’re losing control.
But instead of trying to impress others or not feeling left behind, we can focus on what matters. This can be accomplished with simple living.
Embracing a simpler lifestyle can reduce stress, increase quality time with loved ones, and improve one’s financial situation.
Do you need some ideas to help you get started on simple living? Below are a few that you can implement to simplify your life.
15 tips to start simple living
- Create Routines
By creating routines, we know what day and time things get done. This leaves you with less planning and saves you time. For instance, I have one cleaning task daily: order groceries online for curbside pickup bi-weekly. I run all my errands or leave home one day during the week. My skincare routine is simple. Start implementing routines to fit your schedule and watch how much you can get done.
- Practice gratitude
You can write in your journal if that is something you do, and at the bottom, write down three things you are thankful for. Write down simple things like a good day, a wholesome dinner, and a relaxed evening.
If you do not journal, you can say three things you are thankful for as soon as you wake up.
When we practice gratitude, we realize how much we have instead of worrying about what we do not have.
- Be in the Moment
While talking to a loved one or spending time with someone, be in the moment and avoid thinking about what must be done or being on your phone. When spending time with a baby or toddler. Take the time to sit down and play with them, even briefly, since you might have others to care for.
Be in the moment as much as you possibly can daily.
- Practice mindfulness
Being mindful is also like being in the moment. However, it can be a little harder for us to be mindful while we do things because we are always thinking about what we need to do.
We can start to be mindful while brushing our teeth. Instead of brushing them and already thinking of the day, brush them and do not think of things that can already worry you or stress you.
Also, do not turn on the radio while driving your vehicle; just be mindful and enjoy the ride.
- Simplify your finances
There are many ways to simplify your finances, like budgeting or setting up auto-pay. By now, you should have an idea of all your monthly expenses, including how much you spend on necessities, savings, and guilt-free spending.
Create a budget and stick to it so you don’t spend more money than you make. You should also set up auto-pay on the bills that offer this option.
Doing auto-pay can sometimes save you on a discount the provider offers and saves you time since it will be paid the same day every month.
Depending on when you get paid, you should pay all your bills (if you can’t set auto-pay) simultaneously. Doing this will show how much you have left over after all your expenses are paid.
- Turn off your notifications
Turning off your phone notifications can be challenging at first, but you can start by turning them off for a few hours each day to avoid being distracted by all the notifications. Doing this will help you get things done instead of wasting time each time you receive a notification. When notifications are off, you will also enjoy quality time with a loved one.
- Enjoy the season you are in
We all have times when we might have a hard time, but we know this will pass. This time next year, things will be different. If it is something you can control, like changing careers or getting out of debt. Then, start looking for another job or make a plan to get out of debt. If it is something like caring for a loved one or a small child, try to enjoy the time, and if you need help, ask for help.
- Take things day by day
For as long as I can remember, I always take it day by day. I am an overthinker, so thinking about what I plan to do beforehand stresses me out.
What if I feel tired or sick on the day I must go because I made plans? So, instead of thinking days ahead or planning, take it daily and wait until you know you have the time and energy to make plans.
- Make time for yourself
We put ourselves last a lot of the time, and we do not make time for ourselves. If you have a lot on your plate, try to make time for yourself once a week, but if you can do it more than once a week, go for it. You will be in a better mood when you spend time by yourself doing things that you enjoy.
- Take time to rest
There will be some days when we feel exhausted, but we feel guilty to rest, so we keep going and going. When we feel tired or do not get enough sleep, we need to nap or lie down and close our eyes. Rest and not be scrolling on our phones or watching television. Being tired and not resting may also lead to health problems.
- Stop multitasking
When we multitask, we think we are being more productive, but in reality, we are not giving our attention to the tasks, which can lead to errors. Instead of multi-tasking, take the time to do one task at a time, and you will end up doing the task in less time. Also, when multi-tasking, we can feel more overwhelmed due to trying to do more than one task at a time.
- Value time over money
By now, you probably know how much money you need monthly for all your expenses and necessities; if so, you can more than likely make changes and work fewer hours. Lower costs by eliminating gym membership, cable, and subscription boxes.
Stop spending on material things, make more cooked meals, and work from home or closer to your home. Changing to live on less and work less can give you time to do things you enjoy.
- Delete social media
Depending on how many social media apps you use daily, you should consider removing your social media accounts.
Social media can make you feel like you do not have enough when you see family, friends, or influencers buying new things. We do not know how they paid for the item or if they are in debt. Instead of scrolling and looking at people’s lives, spend time with your loved ones in real-time.
I deleted Facebook in 2020, and honestly, I do not miss it.
- Relationships
If a relationship is causing you stress or taking from you, maybe you need to end that relationship. We all change; we are not the same person we were last year, and if our values and priorities do not align with those of some friends or family, it is okay to keep our distance. You will live a simpler life without the drama and negativity.
- Limit screentime
I used to be the type of person who got ready for work while listening to the news channel in the background. After work, I use get home and watch the news for 30 minutes. I stopped watching the news when it started giving me anxiety.
Don’t get me wrong; it is good to know what is happening, but limit the time you watch the news. If you enjoy watching movies, limit it to once a week.
Binge-watching Netflix is also limited to one day a week. The same goes for our phone devices; we limit our time.
Limiting screen time will give you more time to read, walk, or catch up with a loved one. Also, you will not see ads, which can make you want to make a purchase you were not even thinking about until you saw the ad on the screen.
Final thoughts
When we simplify our lives, we spend more time on things that matter to us.
We can always make more money but never get back our time. So, in a time full of materialism, hustle culture, and more money, let’s aim for less consumerism, less work, and more savings and retirement.
A book I highly recommend is Things That Matter: Overcoming Distractions to Pursue a More Meaningful Life by Joshua Becker.
Related post
How to Start a Minimalist Lifestyle with 15 Tips
Slow Living: 10 Tips to Start Now to Embrace Simplicity
Comment below and let me know how you plan to simplify your life or how you live a simple life.