By living simply we can focus on who and what is actually important to us. There are many reasons why simple living is such a positive thing for your life. There are unending ways of living a simple life to suit anyone.
I discovered minimalism 10 years ago and am so thankful that I did! I’m excited to share my personal thoughts on why a simple life is so important. I will also share tips and tricks to go about transitioning to a simpler life.
Let’s get into it.
My Story about Simple Living
I grew up in a middle class family with my dad, mom and 3 siblings . We lived a simple life with just the right amount of stuff. Because of their philosophy of having what you need and living within your means we were able to take memorable family trips. These trips are some of the most memorable times of my life.
As a young adult I didn’t always appreciate not having a lot of stuff. In particular I thought I would be happier with a big closet full of clothes. It turns out more did not make me happier! I wore less than 50% of the clothes and was always on the hunt for more, but it was never enough. One of my friends introduced me to Project 333. This is wear (pun intended) my minimalist/simple living journey began.
“We go on multiplying our conveniences only to multiply our cares. We increase our possessions only to the enlargement of our anxieties.”
Anna C. Brackett, 1836
10 Reasons Why Simple Living Will Improve your Life
You Live Within your means
When you live within your means you have a specific amount of money available to spend. It really makes you stop and think about needs and wants. This in turn results in collecting things that you really love and that serve a purpose.
You Have Less Anxiety and Worry
You have much less to worry about and be anxious about when you know that you are not living in debt. Also when you have less things to manage and clean you spend less time worrying about when you will have time to manage and clean. You don’t have to live in a disaster house feeling anxious all the time.
You Have Quality Time To Spend With Your Most Important People
You have time to spend with people in your life because you don’t have to work more to pay for all the extra stuff in your life. Because you have less stuff you have less to manage. Because you have less to manage it is quicker and easier to keep your life organized and clean. Also because you are more organized and clean your are more likely to invite your friends into your space
You Can Have A Healthy Work/ Life Balance
You have the choice to have a healthier work/life balance because you are living within your means and you will not always be looking for ways to “improve” your life.
Your Mental and Physical Health is Better
Your mental and physical health is better because you don’t have to sit around being anxious and worrying about being in debt. You will not be living in an overflowing disaster space upset that you have no time to spend with your loved ones because you have to work more to pay off debt. The extra time won’t have to be spent trying to clean and organize your life, and you will have time and space to have friends and family over. You will also have more time to improve your physical health.
It Gives you Time and Space To Pursue Your Passions
You have time to pursue your passions because you don’t have to work as much, as you live within your means and you don’t have to spend all your extra time cleaning and organizing. You have space to pursue your passions because you have less stuff and more space to work on your hobbies and passions.
Your House Stays Tidier
Your house stays tidier because you have less stuff to manage and clean.
You Will enjoy getting up in the morning
You will enjoy getting up in the morning knowing you are waking up to a clean organized space. It will be enjoyable to get dressed because you love your clothes and won’t be overwhelmed by the amount of them. You can wake up knowing that you won’t be plagued with worry and anxiety about your life.
You will sleep better
You will sleep better because you will be busy enjoying and doing all the amazing things that you’ve created for your life. You will not be staying up at night worried and anxious about your debt and mess of a life. You will not have to work all the extra hours to pay off your debt.
Life Won’t Wear You Down
Life wears you down less when you are healthier, when you have more time with family and friends, when you have time to put towards your passions, when you work less, when you are not worried or anxious, when you clean less, when you are living within your means.
10 Ways To Live A Simple Life
Have less “stuff”
If your counters are cluttered, your closets and drawers are stuffed and your pantry is packed to the brim you need to down size. More than likely you are not using most of the stuff.
Have a home for everything that stays in your house
When there is a home for everything in your house you are more likely to put it away. If there is no available space to put the items perhaps it is not needed. Perhaps you need to declutter unused items to make space for the used items.
Simplify your hobbies
Realistically, how many hobbies do you actually have time for? It is important to pinpoint what you want to put your time, energy, space and money into.
Live on a budget
If you are living within your means you are less likely to to spend money on things you do not need. Also you are more able to save for the future or for things that really matter to you and your family. It also helps to reduce anxiety and worry.
Use less technology
Get back to basics. Does extra technology really improve your life or does it end up taking over your life? I think we all know how addicting technology can be. It can stop us from really living life.
Have a basic meal plan
You will save time and money by having a basic meal plan. You will end up with less clutter in your pantry and fridge that you will eventually feel guilty about discarding . You will have less anxiety and worry about what you will be cooking because you will have a plan.
Don’t over schedule your life
Obviously you and your family need things to do in life. But if you have too much going on you are most likely sacrificing healthy home cooked meals, exercise, time with family and friends, time for passions and hobbies, a clean and organized house, sleep etc. You are also probably more anxious trying to keep it all together.
Don’t buy a humongous house
The bigger the house the more stuff you think you need. You only have so much time and energy to use your stuff or organize and clean your stuff.
Take time purge things regularly
Even when you are mindful of what you bring into your home things always build up. You need to take time to remove things no longer needed.
Declutter your families wardrobe
The more clothes you and your family have the more room it takes up in your home. You also end up with a lot of laundry to do. If you pay attention how many of your clothes do you actually wear?
Final Thoughts On Living Simply
Living simply is not about feeling deprived or giving up everything, it is about being able to focus on what is really important to you. I’ve given 10 reasons why simple living improves your life.
Start with my 10 tips to make changes in your life to move in the direction of a simple life. This will be the start of something life changing. You won’t regret it.
I’d love to hear from you. What can you add to my list of tips and tricks? Comment down below, you could help change someone’s life!
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