Do you want to live more simply and savor life in ways that are right for you?
Read on to find out how you can simplify and enjoy life more.
Does life sometimes feel more complex than it needs to be? Do you feel like society expects you to buy more than is necessary, own more things than you need, or do more work than you want? As much as we might not want to admit it, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is alive and well. If any of these situations resonate with you, you may want to find ways to live more simply.
When you want to live more simply, it means making choices that ultimately make life less stressful and more fulfilling because of their simplicity. There are lots of definitions of what it means to live a simple life. Most definitions include some measure of eliminating extras so you can focus on what’s needed and live life with greater freedom, fulfillment, and happiness.
It’s often argued that to live more simply (or minimalism) is a reaction to materialism. Others think that simple living is a part of “alternative hedonism,” which is a movement that responds to the destructive models of capitalist consumption.
Here are a few different approaches to living more simply:
- Minimalism – simplifies life by reducing your possessions and consumption. Sometimes, it also includes ascetic minimalism, which focuses on clean, uncluttered design.
- Self-sufficiency – is providing for yourself as much as possible without modern systems or what we might call convenience. Some examples are living off-the-grid, growing your food, sewing clothes, or making self-care products like soap.
- Digital minimalism – is reducing or eliminating access to certain technologies like cell phones, social media, or the Internet as much as possible.
- Connection with nature – spending more time outside, camping, or in wilderness environments.
- Slowing down – sometimes called “slow living,” reduces a sense of urgency or busyness so you can make intentional choices and enjoy your life more.
Living more is as individual as you are. You can live with a mixture of some or all of these approaches. Trying different approaches to see how you feel and how they affect your stress level is often helpful. Doing this helps identify which style or styles you want to integrate into your life that positively affects your well-being.
Why is Living More Simply Important?
Many people choose to live more simply after they realize that no matter how much they buy, things do not make them happy. They find a greater sense of well-being when they reduce the pressure on themselves and gain time to do things that bring them true joy. Living simply can result in many positive things in life, including:
- feeling less stressed about money
- better work-life balance
- more time in the day to be present
- environmental consciousness
- clarity about what matters
- more freedom to choose what you want
- space to discover your passions
Living more has become essential for many people and there are lots of different ways to simplify life. Many of us, maybe even most of us, find a better fit practicing a few simplifying things rather than taking our lives completely off-grid. Here are some examples you might try to test out what feels like a good fit.
- bake from scratch—bread, cookies, pizza – even better if you bake with someone
- start a vegetable garden.
- declutter and donate anything you don’t need.
- stop buying things you don’t need and won’t use
How to Live More Simply
Does the idea of living seem great, but you’re just not ready to (or you don’t want to, which is fine) change your entire lifestyle?
Here are some ways to live more simply: give up consuming to prevent FOMO and enjoy your life.
1. Say “no” more often
Our lives often get cluttered and busy when we say yes to everything. Maybe we say yes to eating junk food we don’t want to eat, participating in consumer holidays like Black Friday that we don’t want to join in, agreeing to do more than we handle, or accepting invites to events we don’t want to attend. By learning how to say no, you get back more of your time and take back power over your life. So, take some time to think about the things you let into your life that don’t need to be there and start saying no to them so you can say yes to what you want!
2. Disconnect from technology
There are many ways to disconnect; however, disconnecting from tech is one of the most challenging habits to change. Sometimes, you’ve just got to do it, as they say. Often, it’s helpful to start small with one of these suggestions:
- turn off notifications on your phone
- take a break from social media
- digital detox with a weekend off of the Internet
I think you’ll experience extra time in your day and maybe even have some free time for relaxing. Many of my clients experience much less information streaming into the brain when they decrease the use of technology. Think about how you can use this extra space in your mind when you get when you set limits with technology.
3. Declutter your closets
First, put all the clothes you don’t wear in a box. Leave out just enough clothing to wear for one month. You aren’t getting rid of anything – you’re just putting extra clothes in a box. At the end of the month, open the box and decide what to keep and donate. Once you get used to living without excess clothing, getting rid of the extra stuff when needed is easier. You can do this challenge with other items and decide what you need versus donating what you don’t.
4. Set a budget
Setting a budget can help prevent you from filling up your spaces with more stuff. It also enables you to discern what you value – stuff or experiences. Do you spend your way out of taking the trip you would enjoy so much more than another impulse purchase? One thing to ask yourself is if this is essential and if I will use this. When you decrease your spending to what matters, there’s less waste, and you’ll have more money for what matters to you.
Conclusion
Living more simply can boost your well-being and even enrich your lifestyle. Fortunately, small changes allow you to test out what works for you as you go along. I hope the ideas and information provided here give you some ideas to help you create a simple life that you love.