Simple living is more an inner philosophy, rather than the zero waste lifestyle, which is more about what you (don’t) buy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life (and most of us are), this is a lifestyle well worth exploring. The world is noisy, scary and complicated right now. So peel back the layers to discover simple wisdom, which can help to bring at least a little inner peace. Feeling less overwhelmed in a world obsessed with consumerism, noise, success and desetruction leads to better decisions all-round. Yoga teacher Steve Ross once wrote ‘World peace begins with yourself’. If you can’t find peace yourself, how can you ever help to create it?
Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering. Winnie the Pooh
Nice Simple Living Blogs
- Just a Little Less is a really nice little blog by a woman from Staffordshire who likes to live the simple life, without being an extreme minimalist. Wiht budget stylish tips and advice on ethical shopping, she blogs on how she gradually simplifying her life and downsizing to cherish life each day.
- Mindspace Cafe is a beautiful blog on simple living. Learn to focus on what really matters, and find inspiration to live a happy and positive life, without too much stuff. We like Angela’s post on how to enjoy the simple things in life: ‘It’s easy to say enjoy the simple things in life, but if you don’t know what they are, then how can we possibly aim to do that? So take some tiem to yourself, and ask yourself what makes you happy’.
- Nicola Says is a pretty blog on simple living and self-care by a freelance copywriter from Devon, who managed her social anxiety by living a simpler life, which she now enjoys with her family. Her post ‘why try minimalism?’ is well worth a read.
The Simple Living Library
Elegant Simplicity: The Art of Living Well is a beautifully written book on the art of living well, by ecological writer and former Jain monk Satish Kumar. All of his books are lovely (check out Spiritual Compass). He asks us to consume less and live more, for inner peace and ecological integrity. This is the guide for anyone who wants to get off the treadmill of consumption. Also read 101 Ways to Simplify Your Life.
Earthed: A Memoir is a wonderful book by Rebecca Schiller, who moved to a countryside smallholding and found her new life far from simple. Her mind begins to unravel as she turns to her 2 acres (and women of this land’s past) for answers and hope. As the seasons shift, the ground under her boots offers hard lessons, delivering unflinching glimpses of damage done to people and the planet, revealing brutal truths about the seeds she holds in her hands. As a New Year arrives amid a global pandemic, she lets an ancient oak tree be her guide. Because when we find ourselves lost in an unknown land, we all need something to hold on to.
The Beauty of an Uncluttered Soul is a beautiful 9-week devotional to help simplify your life, and produce the soul qualities you seek. When the world seems chaotic, extreme and out of control, we sometimes year for order and simplicity, to gain a sense of peace and purpose. Give up scrolling social media or reading best-selling ‘self-help’ books, and discover a better way to transform your life.
The Art of Simple Living is a book of practical steps to slow down and make small changes to transform your life. This book can show the way to a more wholesome existence. The book can guide you towards a simple life, with tips on how to declutter your home, practice mindfulness, make simpler meals and free up time for good relationships.
Less is More is a book on finding joy in a simpler life. Discover the art of finding more through having less: more time, more calm, more energy, more money, more you. Filled with practical tips and ideas, learn how to reduce clutter and stress, find time for what matters, enrich everyday life and put quality before quantity. From time to time, we all get lost in the flurry of a busy life. But we can always uncover a path back to our best, and happiest selves. All you need is focus, a slower pace and the simple power of ‘less’.
All You Need is Less shows that when you cut out things you don’t need, you leave room for time to focus on what matters. Pare things down to feel benefits across all areas of your life. It’s easy to do, one step at a time. This book is filled with practical tips to stress less, reduce screen time, shop sustainably and make the most of your time.
Practising Simplicity is by writer and photographer Jodi Wilson to shine a light on the best things that don’t cost money, and how to incorporate them into your lifestyle, whatever your circumstances. For her, the simplicity of living in a tiny home on wheels, was the answer to anxiety and overwhelm. What if you had more space in your life for connection to nature, and those around you? Or stepped off the treadmill and forged a new path?
