Happiness has a different definition depending on who you talk to. To some individuals that might mean owning multiple mansions, but research has shown time and time again that material things don’t make us truly happy.
Even though being rich is glorified in society today, a simple life allows individuals to focus on what really matters.
With a little mindfulness, anyone can fully embrace the simplicity in life to find their bliss.
How to Live a Life of Simplicity
A standard definition of someone who lives a simple life is one who applies a less-is-more approach to almost every facet.
That means abandoning consumerist ideals, a radical sense of self-love, and an appreciation of a slow-paced life.
A life of simplicity takes home-cooked meals over fast
Read on to find ways to increase your peace of mind tenfold.
11 Ways to Embrace Simplicity in Life
1. Start a gratitude journal
A great place to start being happy with life without all the bells and whistles is by writing down what you are grateful for every day.
There are many guides on how to maintain a gratitude journal, but really it is up to you on how you would like to do it.
To start off with, you should wake up in the morning (that means before you check Instagram) and write down five things that you are thankful for. It can really be anything!
2. Try out meditation
One of the most powerful tools for achieving simplicity in life is through meditation.
Meditation is an ancient practice that is a lot more than repeating one word incessantly.
The act in itself enables people to focus on the task at hand whether it is repeating one word or how each part of your body feels.
Just sitting there physically gets you to slow down and stop your mind from wandering.
3. Shop for quality over quantity
It’s no secret that there has been a shift in society to output everything quickly. Fast fashion and fast
A part of a simple life rejects these mainstream ideas and opts to purchase items of quality.
By buying things that are important and last a while, you reduce spending overall.
4. Declutter your home
Minimalism as a whole is different than a simple life.
The first philosophy suggests living on the bare minimum, whereas focusing on the simplicity in life states that you should own things you cherish.
Envisioning your life the way that is most ideal and then applying that to organizing your house is a great way to do this. Try donating old books and clothes.
Take time every week to take stock of the things in your house that just adds to clutter without providing any value.
5. Take time to slow down
Just like being rich, being busy is seen as better. Yet, the truth is that the mind needs time to relax to be at its best.
It’s so important to portion out a chunk of time every day to relax. Take that bubble bath!
Being conscientious of your time instead of being busy all the time will help you recharge and revel in simple things that you enjoy.
6. Volunteer your time to others
Making someone happy is one of the greatest pleasures in life at no cost!
When you engage in an activity like playing with the kids at the homeless shelter or hanging out with those in a retirement home it makes their whole day.
There is no better feeling than knowing that you have made a difference in someone’s life. It is something little that can be extremely fulfilling.
7. Define your values
Without realizing it, it’s easy to have your day consumed by activities that are unimportant.
If you take the time to define exactly what is important to you (family, education, friends) then it’s easier to focus on that.
Cognitive-behavioral therapists have their patients physically write down what they find important in life and then list activities that support these values.
If you find that what you are doing is not getting you closer to your goals, get rid of it.
8. Don’t double book yourself
Enjoying the simplicity in life means keeping your schedule simple.
Cramming way too many things into your day will leave you stressed out and likely less productive.
Prioritize the most important tasks of your day that are necessary and contribute to your values to prevent burn out.
9. Release the fear of missing out
It’s easy to agree to plans when you think that you will regret your decision down the line.
In reality, anything that you don’t have to do and don’t want to do 100% is unimportant.
Release the guilt of choosing a cozy night of reading to a wild party.
10. Cut down on cable time
The human mind loves instant gratification. It’s those small blips of constant dopamine that keeps you hooked on social media for hours.
Unless you are a social media manager or professional TV watcher, it’s likely that you are spending too much time on electronics.
Relying on hobbies that are productive and make you happy will let you to bask in the simplicity of life.
11. Spend time in nature
There is a Japanese practice that translates into forest bathing. The idea behind this is that spending time in nature lets one clear the mind and feel at peace.
Taking a simple stroll or a dip in salty water is another simple activity that can overall lead to greater happiness.
The Beauty of Simplicity
Simplicity in life can be beautiful because it stops you from overthinking and overspending.
Giving into the simple pleasure of basic things that make you happy will let you be your true, authentic self devoid of both mental and physical clutter.
Critics might peg this as boring, but once you remove the superficial layer of existence it leaves its true structure: the things that you find most important.
That doesn’t mean never buying anything again and get rid of your car; however, in order to appreciate the simplicity in life, you will have to spend money and time on necessities.
A simple life is a fulfilling life. Share your thoughts in the comments below: