I receive questions from time to time about leading a simple lifestyle and what kind of advice I have about it. I am only an expert on my own life, but I can offer some things that I have learned along the way.
It’s a process, not a destination
The single most important thing I have learned is that a simple lifestyle is just that – a lifestyle. It’s something that changes, requires adjusting as time goes on and reflects who I am at any given time. There are no steps, no requirements, so it’s an inner journey that never ends. While there are tangible things that go along with my simple life, even those will change along the way. The key for me is embracing what the simple life means and living it out in a way that is authentic to me.
It’s not a competition
And if it was, I might lose. I don’t wear one simple dress and wash it by hand each night. I don’t grow all my own food. I do what works for me and my family. The beauty of choosing a simple life has been letting go of all the cares about what others think, not competing to keep up or have the least or the most of something, and to just be happy with who I am and what I have and that I am making the life that is best for me and my family.
There are no rules
I”ve been challenged about what it is about my life that I think makes it so simple. There may be some who think you must do x,y,z to be “simple”. Or those that think that there is no way to actually live simply in this day. I have said before what simplicity is to me. For me, the most important thing has been setting priorities and living my life accordingly. I have 2 dogs, 2 kids, and a fixer upper which should be considered a third child for the time and money it takes up. But this life works for us, and although there are complex aspects to it, the choices we make have allowed for simplicity in other areas.
It isn’t deprivation
Simplicity doesn’t have to mean ridding yourself of every possession except the shirt on your back. It doesn’t mean never stepping foot in a store again. It means assigning purpose to your possessions, dollars, and time. I love lattes and designer jeans. I even like big black sunglasses. I make choices in all areas of my life that make it possible to keep true to myself and do the things that I enjoy. My life is not deprived of anything that I desire. My desires have changed. My priorities have shifted. My tastes have changed. Living a life that is authentic will never be deprived because it will always be full of what you are.
These are just a few of the things that I have learned over the past couple of years of shifting to a simpler life. I would love to hear input from you about what simple living means to you. If someone asked you for advice about simplifying what are some of the key things you would add?
I think some folks believe that a simple life must be easy and/or empty, when in fact it can be quite complex and can/should be quite full.
Annie Jones´s last blog post..Works-For-Me Wednesday: Food Service Film
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I love that it’s a process and not a destination. Someone who takes the time to learn how to simplify and what works for them is going to have a much richer life than someone who simply clears out their clutter and expects that to be the end of it. Well done.
SavvyChristine´s last blog post..Life in the Moment
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This is a wonderful post. You are so right, simplicity is different for everyone and that’s the beauty of it. For me I think it’s just about slowing down and living with intention. I don’t want to be identified with my busyness but rather I want to breathe deeply and just enjoy the moment.
Laura
Org Junkie´s last blog post..Round-Up Winner
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There are so many nuggets of wisdom in this post! I’m working to reduce clutter in my house and better set my priorities so that I’m not pulled in so many different directions with little to show for it. I like the idea about assigning purpose to possessions, dollars, and time. That should be my mantra!!
Texas Susan´s last blog post..“Lost” on Kitchen Wednesday
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I really love this entry and can relate on so many levels.
We try to live what my DH and I call a “Low Crap Lifestyle.” We try to rid ourselves of all the “stuff” that everyone has laying around. We never need to hold garage sales because we don’t have extra stuff to sale. We donate our stuff to Goodwill when we are finished with it. We feel that this is a “simple” life for us.
We also spend our money on our hobbies – decorating and sewing for me, tools for DH, toys for DS, and our home for all of us. We have a nice TV (that my parents gave us) and nice computers (DH works for IBM, LOL), but we don’t have tons of electronics and gadgets. It feels nice that the only debt we have is our mortgage, my student loan, and one car payment that’s almost paid off.
I think that spending time doing what you love – with the ones you love – is one of the highest priorities we have.
Lindsay´s last blog post..Bringing the Outside In
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With Debt looming over our heads I’ve gone to living a simpler lifestyle. The one thing I will work on this year is not buying my girls so many clothes.
SoBella Creations´s last blog post..Cupcake Extravaganza
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So very very true. I always say it is a journey not a race!
Frugal Trenches´s last blog post..Getting out of debt and downshifting has changed my heart.
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“Living a life that is authentic will never be deprived because it will always be full of what you are.”
…I absolutely LOVE that quote! You are exactly right. There were so many things you said in this post that struck a chord with me. Living simply is such a freeing feeling. I appreciate you sharing your insight with us. It’s made me think.
Have a great weekend!
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living the simple life is a choice. For us, it is about saying NO to many things that clutter our life. We are not missing out though by any means.
Denise´s last blog post..on your mark, get set, go
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Love this article.
Guess I still have to LET GO go of what other people THINK of my simple ‘non-(paid) working’ lifestyle – lol.
Love being able to make goodies for kids, nutritious meals for all the family from scratch, spending time with Alzheimer’s Parents & doing 1,000 piece jigsaws (bought from charity shop) when the urge arises.
Also, the opportunity, to put my hand up for excursions/events that come up at school & (work) on numerous church committees, provide children’s liturgies etc. etc.
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It’s amazing how right you are about it not being about deprivation. It’s about enjoying what you have and having what you enjoy.
I too am changing my life to de-clutter and simplify and so far it’s worked (with a couple of blips in the middle). Generally though I am happier with less stuff and just ecstatic about how it’s all working out.
Andy @ Retire at 40´s last blog post..Seeing the Old Me
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what you want to do is maybe try refinancing your car loan and see if you can get a lower payment and u want to see if your blue-book value is over what you owe or less because u may be in the negative if so. Good to buy cars with a high resale value like Toyota for example…
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