Elevated Simplicity
You don't have to sacrifice style or comfort to live a simple life.
One reason people shy away from living a simple life is because they fear the change….it is going to be more work; you’ll have to live a boring, basic life with a stark home; you have to forsake all the conveniences you’ve become accustomed to.
To some extent, all of these things are true. But there is so much more to gain by stepping back, slowing down, and living with more intention.
I tend to look at simplifying through a different lens….one that shows how simple living can be a benefit rather than a sacrifice. An ideal of “elevated” simplicity, if you will.
For example, I view growing my own food as an important component to simple living. Yes, more work and the produce isn’t always “perfect” like what you find in the store. But I’ll take digging some wacky looking carrots out of the ground any day to the plastic wrapped alternative at the grocery store because they taste 100x better, were grown free from pesticides and harmful fertilizers and there is something very special (elevated) about heading into the house swinging my basket of freshly picked carrots complete with their vibrant green tops just in time for supper. (And I’ve really grown to love wearing garden boots!)
There are some that I follow on social media whose idea of simple living involves milking cows, gathering eggs, baking bread, minimally decorating, and homeschooling their kids. They seemingly reinforce the misconception that this way of living is more work and devoid of style and modern luxuries.
But there is another who lives “simply” by shopping for antiques in France, skiing in Idaho, and preparing a fancy meal with wine for dinner. A completely opposite view.
Everyone’s version of simple living becomes unique to their family, because we each value distinct things and expect various outcomes from a changed lifestyle. Both of these women are choosing what works for them and neither of these scenarios encapsulate my vision for slow and simple.
The longer I journey along this unknown path I’ve realized that simplicity doesn’t have to be about sacrifice and labor (unless you want it to be). There is a way to intentionally choose allowing it to enhance your home day-to-day rather than becoming a burden.
Spending less on things I don’t need (more inexpensive decor, junk food, etc.) allows me to make better choices about what I do buy.
Clearing out the clutter gives me time and space back.
Growing my own food gives me freedom and the feeling of self-sufficiency.
Repurposing decor, shopping at thrift stores, and using what I have enhances my home with a look of my own without needing to have the next “it” thing (accompanied by regrets later about the money I wasted).
To put it succinctly, simplicity to me is about enjoying superior flavors, special details, better quality, and finding meaning in the little things. When you look at it through that perspective, life only improves with a more thoughtful way of living.
Society tries to convince us that we’ll have to give up too much by stepping back, but I’ve only found a world rich with more to obtain. Perhaps having and doing less makes us appreciate it all a bit more.
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xoxo,
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE JOURNEY
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