Slow and Simple Living

When you hear “Slow and Simple Living”, what comes into your mind?

Basic? Minimalism? Frugal? Boring?

Even if it wasn’t one of those things, it’s still important to know these aren’t quite what slow and simple living is about.

What is the opposite of slow and simple?

The opposite of slow would be fast, rapid or brisk.

And the opposite of simple is difficult, hard, demanding and complicated.

Sometimes the days feel like they’re passing by so fast, especially when you’re busy with little ones. I wanted to find a way to slow down and simply enjoy the time I have with the little’s while I still can. This is when slow living caught my attention.

What is simple living about?

Simple living is about lessening the distractions around you, so you can focus more on what is really important to you. It’s a choice, to slow down and savor those life moments.

So what are these distractions? It could be anything, and probably not all the same as someone else’s distractions.

Social media, excess stuff, a full schedule, ect.

Simple living is about creating freedom and flexibility to be fully present in the moments that matter the most to you.

And adding the slow in slow and simple living, means that you will have the time to slow down, and do the things you want to be doing at the pace you want to be doing them.

You can do slow living by itself, and you can do simple living by itself. And you can add them both together to make a lifestyle that is slow and simple living together.

Now can you achieve this over night? Absolutely not.

But you can create a life that is slow, simple and just what you need with time.

Steps to achieve a slow and simple life

1. What is important to you?

Think about what is most important to you. This is what will power your decision as you move forward in this process to slow and simple living.

Work?

Family/children?

Pets?

This could be anything and can be more than one or two things! When you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, think about what matters the most to you.

2. Stop scrolling and watching TV as much as you can

Now not all TV and social media scrolling is bad, but the point is to lessen distractions around you.

So while you’re eating, shut off the tv, put away your phone and focus on actually eating your food.

When you’re with your family, intentionally put your phone away so you can fully be present in the moment and hear what people are saying.

Set aside time to scroll and watch TV.

3. Make routines for yourself

Routines can help bring a balance to certain parts of your day.

Morning routines can help you slowly start your day getting into the things you have planned to do.

Daily routines can help build structure and when you stick to your routines, it can seem to help slow down your days as you don’t rush and fill in the space with excess stuff.

Night routines help you slow down as you put the house and yourself to bed, preparing for a nights sleep.

4. Get outside

Sometimes we tend to live for the next season. In winter we long for spring and summer, and in summer we long for those brisk autumn days.

Get outside, slow down and embrace the day that you have. Even if it’s just taking a short walk and being present in the day.

5. Want less

Now what does that mean?

Well it’s simple (but not easy). You have to learn to be happy with what you already have.

This is where less social media and TV comes in big time too. When we’re constantly exposed to the things that are designed to bring us the next new thing, it’s hard to stay happy with the things we do have.

Consume less, want less.

6. Work hard for something other than money

Though we look back in time to the past and think life was so much more simple back then, they worked a lot harder.

If you wake up early, make your coffee and go weed in the garden for an hour or so. And then after that you tackle another task like cleaning out the chicken coop. After that, a nice shower and breakfast sure would feel good.

Find anything that is hard work. Stop trying to save time and money, and get to working on something.

Now watch your satisfaction with what you already have change. Don’t get what you want but make it so you want what you already have.

7. Declutter all you can

While slow and simple living isn’t minimalism (but it can be part of it), it is helpful to get rid of anything and everything that doesn’t serve you and your family and just takes up space.

When your living space is simpler, it makes cleaning it easier and therefore takes less time.

Decluttering is a personal thing because no one can tell you what you do and don’t need. Everyone’s living style is different. Some love a minimal look while others see it as empty and lacking.

Keep the things you love and use, and rid yourself of those items that you don’t.

8. Create time (and space) for what matters

A slow and simple life is about creating more space for the things you love. (Like the things you thought of in #1 of this list.)

Getting rid of the excess to focusing on those things. (Excess stuff, excess things in your schedule, excess scrolling/tv.)

Now we all have responsibilities and some careers that aren’t negotiable. Do what you can in your life, when you can.

Simple living isn’t just for those who stay home and/or live on a farm.

While financial independence isn’t a reality for us all, you don’t have to work your time away for some things you don’t really need.

These are personal decisions but once you start devaluing material items, it’ll take you a long way.

Ways to start slow and simple living now:

Limit your time for social media and TV
Grocery shop once a week
Declutter each room, one at a time
Only buy things you need
Spend more time at home
Cook more meals at home
Practice gratitude
Try not to multitask
Take care of the things you already own (so they last longer)
Do what you want, not what everyone else is doing
Live for the day you have

Is a slow and simple life for you?

You have to make that decision for yourself.

If you’re reading this, there must be something in you that is curious about a slower, simpler life.

Your life doesn’t have to match another persons slow and simple. You get to pick what you’re life is going to be.

Maybe you just change a few things. And maybe you take it day and day, and slowly change a lot of things!

Your life, your time, your happiness.