Simple living refers to practices that promote simplicity in one's lifestyle. Common practices of simple living include reducing the number of possessions one owns, depending less on technology and services, and spending less money.
Wikipedia defines living simply as voluntarily engaging in a number of practices to simplify one's lifestyle. Others define this lifestyle as “a tool to eliminate life's excess, focus on the essentials, and find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom” (Millburn & Nicodemus, 2016).
One of the biggest benefits of a simple life is the way it frees up your time for what matters most. And having more time for what matters to you can impact so many areas of your life. The positive impact simplifying can have on your relationships is another example.
Living a simple life is about paring back, so that you have space to breathe. It's about doing with less, because you realize that having more and doing more doesn't lead to happiness. It's about finding joys in the simple things, and being content with solitude, quiet, contemplation and savoring the moment.
Simple Living Allows You to Focus on What Matters
One of the biggest reasons so many people recommend living more simply is because it helps you refocus your time, attention and priorities.
The first example of simple living is finding happiness in simple things. You can start pursuing your hobby, having spending quality time with your family, meditating, listening to music, writing, drawing, cooking simple meals, and so on. You do not even have to spend certain items or money!
Sometimes it takes years of mindful meditation, self-reflection and self-improvement to get to the stage to accept things as they are. And you already there! Is it bad to just want to live simply? No, it is not bad to just want to live simply.
Choosing less gives you more time and money to spend on the things that you care about most. Living simply is about getting out of debt and focusing more on the necessities rather than continually buying more unnecessary stuff. Having less to clean, maintain, and move frees you up to pursue new adventures in your life.
Yes! There are many reasons why choosing to live a simple life can lead to a happier you. Simplicity can help you feel in control of your life, and give you time to unwind and focus on your well-being. We created this list to show just how many benefits there are to simple living.
We get so focused on material things that we completely forget what's really important: community, family, and friendship. It's easy to become consumed by material possessions and lose sight of the important things in life. It's great to have nice things, but it's even more important to have friends you can count on.
A simple person is often incredibly thoughtful, constantly considering their own personal mood and what others around them might need. Simple people have come to an understanding about the world and what it asks of them, and they've come to terms with that experience and continue to live and walk in peace.
A simple person is someone who can find happiness in the smallest things, who is content with what they have, and who finds ways to make space for what matters most to them, letting go of the rest. Some might view these simple folk as being naive, easily manipulated, or downright boring.
A Simple Life is a Happy Life
By living a simple life and focusing on the things that really matter, you're almost guaranteed to be happier. Without the distractions, noise, and stress brought upon us by cluttered surroundings, too much technology, processed foods, and endless noise, it's easier to feel happy.
Minimalism is about reducing the number of things you own, while simplicity is about living with less complexity. Minimalism can be applied to your physical possessions, schedule, and commitments. Simplicity is about reducing mental clutter and creating more margin in your life.
Proverbs 15:16-26 In-Context
16 A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. 17 Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate. 18 Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.
The proverb lays emphasis on the importance of living a simple life devoid of any kind of show off. We must keep a check on our wants and desires. However, when it comes to thinking, it must be big. We must not think only about ourselves but also about those around.
For some people, purpose is connected to vocation—meaningful, satisfying work. For others, their purpose lies in their responsibilities to their family or friends. Others seek meaning through spirituality or religious beliefs. Some people may find their purpose clearly expressed in all these aspects of life.
Psychologists call our brain's preference for prototypes Cognitive fluency and it's a huge part of what makes something seem 'simple'. Cognitive fluency is how we feel about taking in new information. It's the subjective experience of the ease or difficulty of completing a mental task.