Podcast Episode: Why I Like Simple Living Better Than Minimalist Living

 

Episode Sponsor: Pela Case

Battle Belongs By Phil Wickham

Minimalism has a huge emphasis on “things” and simple living has large emphasis on lifestyle. When we were at home- I really understood it was so much more than stuff and so much more to do with how we want to live our lives. How we want to raise our kids- what kind of habits we want to create in our home. 

So what does simple living mean to me? 

Simple Living to me means not over complicating processes. Whether that be with our spending habits + budgeting, or being mindful of quality purchases and supporting brands that do not greenwash.

It means less screens, less plastic, less consuming & more living. Being kind to the planet any way we can. Small baby steps. It means Being outdoors, cooking from scratch healthy meals, buying only what we need. Being Kind & Being content with less. Taking time for people. Looking and listening without distraction. Showing up for someone and taking action instead of just saying I will pray for you. Tuning into the voice of God and trying to do right in his eyes. That is what simple means to me.

SO HOW ARE Minimalism and Simple living DIFFERENT?

When I think simple my heart gets full. Do I love what both have to offer? Yes of course.  I do love both, and still can be apart of both but for me this is where I am leaning most indefinitely- to seek a simple living lifestyle over minimal. Clearing the calendar, cooking from scratch, being mindful of purchases + avoiding impulse buying but also enjoying our things as well. 

Minimalism has a large emphasis around- owning less stuff. It also has an emphasis on owning less to focus on the things that are most important in life.

So it does align with simple living…..

There are many similarities between minimalism and simple living:

-Sharing a mindfulness of products and consuming

-Connecting to the basics of living like I mentioned before

-Learning to be more sustainable and becoming a more ethical consumer

 

Open spaces versus cozy living is how I best describe it. Minimalists like a lot of clear space, white and open. While simple seekers like a more cozy less techy space that focuses on basics. Cabin in the woods, living off the land, connecting to the basics of living which in turns leads to simplifying. If you are in the city- it’s not packing your schedule full all day every day and giving yourself and family some breath time. It’s turning off the phones for 3 hours to be outside. 

Simple living for example could have a larger emphasis on the type of lifestyle you want to live. One example of this is homesteading: living off of your land. Being more resourceful with the things you already have. Others who seek out simple living also seek out living off the grid in some extreme cases. They are not as concerned with the items in their home but aren’t overly consuming either and are resourceful. 

Other times simple living is just slowing down and not letting your calendar tell you where you need to be and what you need to be doing and in turn YOU tell your calendar what and where you will be. Clearing time and space for is seen a lot with simple living.

While minimalism represents one aspect of simple living there is more of an emphasis on personal belongings. Minimalism is more focused on decluttering belongings, and not bringing additional items into the home unless absolutely necessary. Some people even practice digital minimalism and reduce their amount of digital use and spend more time with in person interactions.

SO WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID: MY CHALLENGE TO YOU:

My challenge to you is to find out what simple means to you and try to go after that. Do it for you- do it for the people you love. Find your motivator. Clear your schedule- get outside- seek simple.

Want to learn more about cooking food from scratch?

Check out my YOUTUBE Channel

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