Start Living A Simple Life Today
Oct 24, 2023
Are you curious about this whole simple living thing? Maybe you're just curious and are wondering what it would take to get started. I'd love to share with you about living a simple life.
There was a time when the thought of minimalism or simple living never crossed my mind. I don't feel that I was overly excessive with what I owned or how I lived, but it certainly wasn't simple. I was busy and stressed with my four young children. I couldn't seem to figure out how to keep up with the toys, the cleaning, and piles of random clutter. However, after making some changes, I realized that simplifying was the way to calm the chaos in my life.
What it Means to Live a Simple Life
Maybe you're wondering what it even means to live a simple life. Is it hard to live a simple life? Honestly, it's just the way it sounds. You live your life with intention and focus instead of running in the hamster wheel that is today's culture. You choose what you will do or own instead of your stuff or schedule being in charge.
To live a simple life, you let go of what isn't important and focus instead on the things that are. You free up space in your life in order to focus on the relationships of those important to you. By living more simply, you can let go of the trappings of material things.
How to Live a Simple Life
How can I live a simple life? you may be asking. Well, I have great news for you! There are many ways to live more simply. I want to give you some general guidelines to get started if you are wanting to know how to live a simple life.
1. Live a simple life by focusing on your priorities
We all have different priorities in life. What is important to me may not really be your thing. However, I think you'll agree that relationships are important, whether it's with your spouse, your parents, children, or God.
Maybe you are passionate about a certain cause, about running or crafting. Perhaps you really love serving others in your church or community. You are unique and have a unique purpose. As you take into consideration what is important to you, you can begin to let things go. Let the things go that don't match what is most important to you.
2. Live more simply by minimizing distractions
Another way to live a simple life is to minimize distractions. This basically goes hand in hand with identifying your priorities. Things such as television, social media, phone notifications, etc can really be time wasters. Try limiting your TV and social media time; perhaps even delete the social media apps on your phone. Try turning off most, if not all, notifications on your phone.
3. Live a simple life by practicing gratitude
An important way to live more simply is by practicing gratitude. By finding things to be thankful for, even little things, you learn to be more content. Even when life is hard, there will always be some small things that you can be thankful for. As we learn to look for them, we begin to find more joy and happiness in our life.
4. Live more simply by decluttering excess stuff
I'm not really sure if you can live a simple life without getting rid of some stuff. Unless you've recently done a major purge, you most likely have way more than you need. Things just seem to build up if we're not careful. Your kids end up with too many toys, you end up with too many clothes, or your husband ends up with too many tools. The more stuff you have, the more you have to clean up, clean and dust around, or maintain. By decluttering, not only do you save yourself some time, but you also have a much more peaceful-looking environment.
5. Live a simple life by being present
Do you live your life with your focus on what you're doing or who you're with? Do you interact without distractions? Perhaps instead you tend to be thinking about the next thing you have to do or the many things on your to-do list.
Many times we give our children or husband half of our attention. We don't take the time to really enjoy the event we're at. As you learn to let go of what doesn't matter, focus on being more grateful, and minimize distractions, you will realize how treasured the relationship with your family truly is. You will be more relaxed and at peace to enjoy the events youchoose to take part in.
How to Live a Simple Life and be Happy
How can I live a simple and happy life? Can I really be happy with less to keep me occupied? Of course you can! In fact, I would venture to say that you will be happier while living more simply. For example, you will be focusing your life on the things that are important to you . . . the things that bring you joy.
By having a more peaceful environment, time to enjoy the relationships in your life, and focusing more on gratitude, you will be much more content and at peace. You will have time to enjoy your passions and hobbies. You will have less to do and keep track of. This sounds amazing to me; what about you?
Live a Simple Life Bible Verse
I've found some amazing Bible verses to remind you to not let "things" run your life. In fact, the first few are from Jesus Himself! He reminds you to focus on what is truly important, and [spoiler alert!] it's not your cute wardrobe or latest electronic.
"And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" Luke 12:15 ESV
"'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'" Luke 12:32-34
"'For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?'" Luke 9:25
I love these verses from Solomon, who is said to be the wisest man who ever lived. His books are full of his wise sayings that we can learn from still today. He realized that his possessions-and he had a TON-would never make him truly happy.
"Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind." Ecclesiastes 4:6
"Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9
Finally, the apostle Paul reminds us of the importance of contentment and of what we are to seek. When we're wrapped up in this world and our life here, we're not focusing on what God deems important. We need to live our lives with an eternal perspective.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." 1 Timothy 6:6-7
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2
Prayer for Simplicity
Are you ready to give living a simple life a try? If you're not sure, be sure to pray and ask God is this is something He would want for you. Even if you just take some steps to prioritize and focus on things that truly matter, you definitely won't regret it. If you're ready to jump on board, pray this simple prayer to get you started.
"Dear Heavenly Father, I really want to spend my life living for You and not be so distracted by the things around me. Open my eyes to those distractions, and help me make God-honoring decisions going forward. Show me the priorities You want me to have and eliminate the distractions. Give me a heart of gratitude for the many blessings You have provided for me, including my family. As I let go of the trappings of this world, help me to embrace a life lived for You. In Jesus' name, Amen."
If you haven't taken the leap to live a simple life, now is the time! What ways have you found to live more simply? What area of your life will get started with today? I'd love to hear below.
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