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Original poster

What does a simple life mean to you?

33 replies

LunaTheCat · 01/02/2023 05:24

I have been thinking about this.. and realise I am in position to have some choice and many are not.
For me
-trying not to place emphasis on having but doing
-appreciate nature.. sitting in garden, walking, cold blustery windy days and sunny days ( I still struggle with rain!)
-appreciating time is short , we don’t have forever, making the most of moments
-prioritising happiness instead of accumulating money
-embracing colour and music and books
-work hard to be a good partner, to cultivate good deep friendships
-love my animals

OP posts:
ItsCurtainstothat · 01/02/2023 05:34

I think you’ve mentioned everything I would want and think of. Wish I could achieve it.

Fedupofdiets · 01/02/2023 05:36

Not being materialistic and buying lots of unnecessary stuff was my first thought.

Growing your own fruit and veg if you can.

Not having complicated relationships or having people in your life that cause hassle (not always possible).

Reading books.

BCBird · 01/02/2023 05:39

Uncomplicated life and inner peace

Ragwort · 01/02/2023 05:41

Not having to fill every minute of the day with 'doing things' ... many people seem to pride themselves with being 'busy' all the time ... just being alone and doing 'nothing' is one of my greatest pleasures in life Smile .... or am I just lazy?

Original poster
LunaTheCat · 01/02/2023 05:55

ItsCurtainstothat · 01/02/2023 05:34

I think you’ve mentioned everything I would want and think of. Wish I could achieve it.

me too 🤣🤣

OP posts:
Goatinthegarden · 01/02/2023 06:04

I’d say I enjoy lots of ‘simple pleasures’, but I have to get up at 6am every day to be able to afford the things that make living a simpler life more comfortable.

Bosk · 01/02/2023 06:09

God, I'd love a simple life. If only I could convince some other poor sod to pay for me to have one.

DietCroak · 01/02/2023 06:21

Good list. I’d add coming off social media (Confused)

Royalsingingseal · 01/02/2023 06:27

Also making or producing actual things I find so therapeutic.
Baking, painting even decorating I’ve up cycled a lovely old chair recently and found it very calming.

70sWasTheBestMusicEra · 01/02/2023 06:29

Having enough money to live comfortably but not loaded

A low stress job

No kids and probably single

Enjoying things that only involve pulling on hiking boots or grabbing a surfboard

Good health

A peaceful home

A few friendships without drama or intensity

A good sense of humour

Longwhiskers · 01/02/2023 06:31

Last summer I decided to make a lot more of what we eat. I don’t know if it’s ethical category exactly but I make the kids snacks for school/packed lunch (with the goal of less sugar so muffins and biscuits, cheese straws etc), bread and rolls. Earlier this month I bought a yoghurt maker and we’re all loving the little glass pots of yoghurt with stewed fruit. It gives me a lot of satisfaction! And we’ve cut down a lot on plastic wrapper and yoghurt pot waste!

Longwhiskers · 01/02/2023 06:38

And the flour we use for the bread is grown just three miles away.

savvy7 · 01/02/2023 06:38

Definitely focusing on doing than having.

Cutting out unnecessary drama (and people) in your life

Spending as much time in nature as possible - nature is healing

DietCroak · 01/02/2023 06:57

Longwhiskers · 01/02/2023 06:31

Last summer I decided to make a lot more of what we eat. I don’t know if it’s ethical category exactly but I make the kids snacks for school/packed lunch (with the goal of less sugar so muffins and biscuits, cheese straws etc), bread and rolls. Earlier this month I bought a yoghurt maker and we’re all loving the little glass pots of yoghurt with stewed fruit. It gives me a lot of satisfaction! And we’ve cut down a lot on plastic wrapper and yoghurt pot waste!

I like this one too. Having a bit more mindfulness and connection with what we eat is always a valuable thing- could be anything from baking or making yoghurt to growing veg or herbs to thinking about food miles. It’s definitely one which is easier for some people than others- I have a garden and some free time so it’s easy for me. But I think any step, however small, in this direction is valuable.

PandasAreUseless · 01/02/2023 07:10

All of the above.
But I don't think a 'simple life' is purely about a lack of materialism. I like to buy nice things.
I think logistics are just as important and have created a streamlined lifestyle free from complicated logistics or any need for outsourcing.
I work full time in a hybrid role. On my days in the office, I walk 5 mins to the local train station and walk for 60 seconds at the other end. And I've previously only ever walked or cycled to work. Messing around with long-winded, multi-part commutes would diminish my quality of life.
DH and I have one small dog with simple requirements.
We have a home that works really well for us, with a place for everything, and a low maintenance garden.
Apart from our mortgage, we have no debt.
We exercise by running or cycling from our front door.
We also don't have kids and a major reason is this constant craving for logistical simplicity. Any sort of outsourcing of child care, nursery and school drop offs before and after work, rushing around to after school clubs, patching together childcare options to cover the holidays and so on, would not appeal to us.

pippinsleftleg · 01/02/2023 07:12

Creating not consuming

PoseyFlump · 01/02/2023 07:21

Fedupofdiets · 01/02/2023 05:36

Not being materialistic and buying lots of unnecessary stuff was my first thought.

Growing your own fruit and veg if you can.

Not having complicated relationships or having people in your life that cause hassle (not always possible).

Reading books.

This is my list too. Giving yourself permission to let people go from your life if they are all take and no give. They don't usually even notice when you take a step back.

Getthefiregoing · 01/02/2023 07:22

For me it's focusing on the pleasure of small things and having "just enough"

We have a small home by choice. We could well afford the mortgage on somewhere bigger but we own outright so will stay where we are and make use of the space we have as best we can.

Our home is cosy but minimal. There simply isn't the space to own very much but I also like the simplicity of less to tidy, clean and maintain. I was raised the same way so too many things becomes an immediate source of stress. I find joy in a comfy armchair, a book, a cup of tea, the sea view outside our window, logs on the fire, a happily pottering toddler and a snoozing cat.

As PP said, we focus on doing things rather than having things. We enjoy getting out most days to the beach or the park. With a toddler I like taking things slowly. Trying to rush only creates stress for everyone. A trip to the library to read books for an hour together and then a wander to the café for hot chocolate is a morning well spent.

Onwayoutsoon · 01/02/2023 07:23

DietCroak · 01/02/2023 06:21

Good list. I’d add coming off social media (Confused)

Me too, it’s something I’m working on and it’s not going great 😐

marriednotdead · 01/02/2023 07:32

Great list and ideas here. Enjoying the small things and making home a peaceful sanctuary help me enormously.

As for enjoying the rain, I can thoroughly recommend a light up umbrella- I now look forward to seeing the twinkly lights above my head and it’s changed my outlook on rain entirely!

Seaweasel · 01/02/2023 07:33

@PandasAreUseless I think you're right about logistics. My life is so much more straightforward now DCs are adults. Not there yet but not having to ferry around to activities makes a huge difference.

PoseyFlump · 01/02/2023 07:34

Out of interest, how many of you, like me, began thinking more along these lines because of the pandemic?

thedevilinablackdress · 01/02/2023 07:48

Interesting thread, a lot of it resonates with me. I've always lived a fairly low key life with as little stress as I can manage. Working 4 days instead of 5 makes a big difference, no kids too. The odd exciting holiday, but just as happy on camping trips, pottering around and staring into the distance.

PandasAreUseless · 01/02/2023 07:55

@PoseyFlump I've always been this way to be honest. I'm 38.
In the past, when I've been approached about a potential new career opportunity, I've taken one look on a map and dismissed or pursued it based purely on simplicity of commute!
I've even turned down big pay rises because Im not prepared to change trains part way through my journey!
And I've always been anti debt and created homes and routines that are very pared-back and streamlined.

LaurieFairyCake · 01/02/2023 07:56

I'm very happy with your list OP but the problem with 'not accumulating money' still means having to work all hours to pay off mortgage 'debt'

Which is crap 💩 Grin