What Simple Living REALLY Looks Like

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A few years ago I wrote a post over at Richly Rooted about living more simply. At the time, I thought I really knew what simple living was, and while what I wrote still rings true, my ideas on simple living were way different than they are now.

I’ve gone through many stages of life since that post and as I grow older I realize that simple living isn’t just about stuff. Simple living is so much more than a lifestyle; it’s a mindset, a way you spend your days.

To me there are many ways that simple living extends past just things.

The Mindset

Getting rid of all of your things is great. Making room for more free space in your life is great. But continuing to have a “hoarder” mindset after you do that is not good. If you continue to think “Oh well, I really need this…(even though I haven’t used it in five years.) But I will use it soon!” or “If I save that bottle I can use it for a craft project someday!” then you are setting yourself up to fail.

You will not be able to fully live a simple lifestyle if you are not on board. Unpack your heart and see what is really holding you back from wanting a simple lifestyle.

This could be some trauma in your past where you were unable to have access to all that you needed, or the way you were raised where you were given anything you wanted when you wanted it.

With the way our generation was raised it can be very difficult to switch to a simple life, but through prayer, and a lot of grace it is possible!

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. -Luke 12:15

Valuing Your Time

It’s wonderful if you’ve been able to get rid of your things and get into that mindset of a simple life, but it’s really not much help if you’re still constantly running around from activity to volunteer opportunity to the next schedule filler.

Living a simple life, to me, means finding joy in more simple activities. Whether it’s sitting on the porch swing and watching the sunset or finding fun things to do around the house; I believe that a simple life is a simple life in your possessions and your time.

Limiting what we do outside of our homes not only gives us the time and space we need to tackle each day but also brings our families closer together and helps us realize what the really important things are.

Arranging Your Priorities

Living a simple life doesn’t mean getting rid of everything you love, but it does mean making room for the important things in life and letting the smaller things fall where they will.

I love this demonstration from Dawn at The Minimal Mom about living on how making room for the important things can really put everything else into perspective.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:19-21

Remembering Our Top Priority

The last thing I’ll say is don’t forget what our top priority in life is: following, worshiping and obeying Jesus. Without Jesus we would not have life, or an example of how to live it. We never saw Jesus in a hurry from place to place. Nor did we see Him care for anything more than a simple life. His whole ministry was based on living simply and He was happy for it; because He spent His days worshiping His Father in Heaven.

Which is why it is of the utmost importance that we continue to follow Him and put Him and His wishes for our lives first. Without that, the rest doesn’t matter.

What are some ways that you have extended simple living past the material things? Head on over to our Facebook group, The Homemaker’s Corner, to join the conversation, or leave a comment down below!