Simple Living Tips
While living in a modern world I often feel pulled by my reliance on modern technology and appliances. No matter how hard I try to do without many of the conveniences that surround me, I still find myself drawn to so many things. Things that I don’t need or desire in my life. Things that cloud my vision, add noise to my life and force me to drown out what our living simple goals are.
Over the years I’ve learned to do without so many things, I would consider myself an expert in living a simple life, but lately, I have found noise edging its way back in. I had to stop and take a good look at my life and I’ve found five things I could do to bring the simple back into my life.
5 Simple Steps to Simple Living:
- Keep the house quiet. – Often the noise and stress we allow in our lives come from constant stimulation to our brain. The noise of a TV or radio adds clutter to my world and is the one thing I have complete control over.
- Good old-fashion hard work. – There is nothing as satisfying to my soul as a few hours spent working in the garden. The sound of the birds and the feel of the sun on my back bring joy to my life.
- Staying organized. – There are days when my to-do-list overwhelms me. I’ve started making a list on Monday of the things I need to do that week and then I assign a day next to the list item. Even though my list is long, I know I only need to complete a couple things on any day to help me feel in control. It’s been liberating to cross off items and see the list completed by Friday.
- Say no. – I cannot stress enough how important learning to say no is! Prioritizing what is most important and saying no to the rest is the only way I keep my life sane.
- Use your hands. – From hand washing dishes to kneading bread I concentrate on doing things the old-fashion way. Anytime I can use my hands to complete a job that typically I would use an appliance for I feel in touch with my inner self and it gives me time to enjoy the job at hand.
If you struggle like me to keep the influences of the modern world from invading your life I encourage you to step back and prioritize your life. Find the things that make you happy and keep you grounded in a simple life. For me, it is little things, like hanging clothes, canning, spinning fiber, baking bread, and weeding the garden, but most of all I work in enough time to stop and enjoy life.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tracy Lynn
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I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I’m currently working on an article for an upcoming magazine about this very point.
It really makes a difference when you tune the world out and tune God in!
I’m in the very beginning stages of simplifying my life and this comes at a perfect time! I’m new to your blog and it is just what I need to start looking at how to change my life to live it to the fullest 🙂
I’ve just been thinking about the same things too Tracy, and in fact, blogged about the very same idea just a couple of days ago. Keeping things simple so we can have time for the most important things is really what makes life worth living. Have a blessed day!
What a great blog! I am so glad I stumbled across your site today (through Mom’s the Word linkup). I will subscribe!
Saying NO is a great way to live simply, but so hard for us, as women, to do! I always feel pushed in so many different directions! Saying No, and finding my priorities is always a struggle.
Molly you are not alone…many of us struggle with saying no. I have often upset someone with my no’s, but I am learning what my limits are and make them a priority.
I love #2. It’s amazing how many things we’ve invented to try to make life easier, but good old fashioned hard work really is what simplifies things. I’ve discovered the calming effect of the garden in the last few years.
Alicia when I am having a stressful moment the first place I head is out to my garden. There is something so calming about pulling weeds or just wandering about the garden!
Great post and so true.
I think making the house quiet is a great thing to do. I notice a lot less fighting between the kids when take away electronics and they’re forced to do other non-electronic things.
I couldn’t agree more…I notice that kids are calmer when the extra noise in a house is eliminated!
It does seem like we live between worlds: high tech and no tech. I love coming here to your blog for companionship so I don’t feel like I’m the only one who loves the homestead lifestyle. Thanks for hosting the blog hop.
Such great reminders for clearing out the “clutter” of the world around us. Just reading the post helped me to relax.
By the way, I would love to have you post on my new blog hop—the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home (www.myflagstaffhome.com). It begins on Thursday evenings and lasts through the weekend, if you’re interested.
Jennifer
Completely agree – I’m always simplifying to I can just go through my day with a clear head. I don’t even own a Cuisinart if you can believe that because sometimes cutting veggies with just a knife give me some quiet time to ponder ideas while I’m cooking. Plus it’s easier to wash a knife that one of those gadgets. Great ideas!
I don’t own one either! I have very few small appliances and always opt to use my hands first.
Good luck on the next homesteading Tracy- will you be parking the RV?