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What is Simple Living? [2022]
"A simple life is its own reward." George Santayana
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Contents
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What is Simple Living?
What exactly are people talking about when they talk about simple living? Is it minimalism or growing your food? Is it taking control of your life or finding joy in daily life? Or is it some combination of all of those things?
Well, the answer depends on who you ask.
You see, there's no single definition of simple living. People tend to define it the way they live it in their own lives.
How do you define simple living if people experience it differently?
If we lump all those experiences into one big pot, one thing becomes clear:
Simple living hinges on the notion that a better life is found in owning and doing less, not more.
Don't assume that simple living is bland or boring. It's not. It's actually quite freeing because you get to choose how you want to live, rather than following rules set by someone else.
Material things and busyness don't fill the gaps in life.
The good life is often found in less. Whether it's buying less stuff, watching less tv, or spending less time staring at screens.
The idea that owning and doing less can make you happier might seem counterintuitive. This is because, in today's world, we're often rewarded at work, in the media, and by the people around us for adding more to our lives than we subtract.
Buy more, work more, and do more is today's mantra. But there's a problem with that.
Buy more, work more, and do more is today's mantra.
But there's a problem with that:
For many people, more hasn't made life better, it's made it worse. Many people aren't happy with their lives despite having the latest technology, a comfortable home, and a little extra in their bank account.
I think that's why people today - including me - crave simplicity. Simple living makes life easier. Bringing less into their lives makes people feel happier, more fulfilled, and less stressed.
Living a simple life offers a new way to experience happiness.
We can find happiness in the simple things in life, like spending quality time with family and friends - or doing nothing at all.
Achieving even a modest level of financial independence and self-sufficiency also removes a significant barrier to happiness. Here's how:
When you spend less money and are more self-sufficient, you avoid the stress of living paycheck-to-paycheck. Gaining more financial freedom opens the door to more meaningful career opportunities. Or, you may find that you're able to work fewer hours to make ends meet.
Simple living recharges our happiness battery.
At some point, the unexpected happens, and we find ourselves needing to recharge our happiness battery. Simplifying our life and practicing self-care can help us work through those events and recharges our happiness battery in the process.
Outside of the unexpected, the actions we take and the ones we avoid every day also drain or charge our happiness battery. How we think about our life, including what's in it and what's not, can fill or drain our battery too.
For tips on everyday things you can do to be happy, read this Healthline article on happiness habits.
Simple living changes how you see the world and how you interact with it.
Simple living is as much a way of thinking as it is a way of living. And while there's no standard definition, one thing stands out:
Simplifying your life is really about making intentional choices, instead of moving through life on autopilot.
Simplifying your life is really about making intentional choices, instead of moving through life on autopilot.
Most people become interested in simple living when they realize their life isn't what they want it to be. Maybe they're feeling overwhelmed or they want to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Some want to slow down to make room for more free time. Others reject the materialism of mainstream culture. Some are drawn to a minimalist lifestyle and the idea of owning less. There are also those who just want to do their own thing for their own reasons.
There's no right or wrong reason to choose a simple lifestyle. Just decide what works for you.
Being intentional is the key to simple living.
Most of the time, living simply doesn't just happen to people. Instead, they make the decision to lead an intentional life.
Living an intentional life allows you to set your own boundaries and goals based on what's important to you, not someone else.
Living an intentional life allows you to set your own boundaries and goals based on what's important to you, not someone else. Intentionally choosing how you will live your life is incredibly empowering.
Here are five benefits to living a simpler life.
A simple lifestyle offers several benefits. They include:
Living a less complicated life
Enjoying less stress about money
Spending quality time with others
Having less stuff to clean, maintain, and store
Getting more and better sleep because you're less stressed
While everyone's experience will be different, the list above shows just a few things that can change after you choose to live a more simple life.
You don't have to be a minimalist to live simply.
Even though minimalism isn't the same as simple living, many people who choose to live a simpler life also choose to downsize their possessions.
At its core, minimalism is about breaking unhealthy attachments to stuff.
At its core, minimalism is about breaking unhealthy attachments to stuff we own. In my own experience, living a life that's somewhere between minimalist and "minimalish" makes me happy.
Removing excess stuff (and keeping it out) makes my house feel lighter. Removing the burden of all that excess stuff lifts the weight from my shoulders too.
Minimalism encourages you to find personal fulfillment in the person you are, not the items you own.
Minimalism encourages you to find personal fulfillment in the person you are, not the items you own. It suggests that your quality of life is not found in material goods but in the decisions you make about how you will live your life.
Minimalists shop with intention.
Minimalists shop differently. They curate their possessions, buying only the things they need.
Instead of buying something because it's convenient, on sale, or popular, minimalists buy because they need it, and they believe it will add value to their life. When shopping, they make intentional purchases, not emotional ones.
Owning less keeps life simple. It also allows minimalists to save money and spend time doing more of the things they love.
Conclusion
Here are a few key points from this article:
What is simple living?
Simple living centers around the idea that living a complicated life doesn't guarantee you'll live a full and meaningful life. What's more, focusing on simple things in life and living with intention improves our quality of life.
What are the benefits of simple living?
Living simply benefits offers several benefits. These include less stress, fewer financial worries, fewer material things to manage, and more time to spend on what matters to you.
Do you have to be a minimalist to live a simple life?
No. You can live simply without being a minimalist. Many people choose to live with fewer things as part of the decision to live simply, but you don't have to.
Living a simple life can change your life for the better. I hope this article will inspire you to start today.
What to read next:
33 Amazing Blogs on Simple Living
Not Comfortable with Minimalism? Try These 7 Simple Living Tips Instead.
14 Slow Living Quotes for Simple Living
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