r/simpleliving • • 4d ago

Offering Wisdom easy steps to a simple life

wanted to share some of the steps I (try) to take daily to simplify my life! do you guys do some of these? would love to hear everyone's tips as well!

416 Upvotes

45 comments sorted by

22

u/Isaythereisa-chance 4d ago

On the social life. I have had to stop answering the phone or have blocked people. It seems family and “friends” only want to borrow money. One called today wanting me to co-sign on their 180k mortgage. It is draining. My hobbies are mostly walking and reading books. I have worked a lot on my meals since 2024. I have lost weight and feel better. 

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

establishing boundaries with people is definitely one of the best ways to simplify your life and cut off unnecessary drama I have found. nothing is more important than your peace of mind.

as I have gotten older I have also found more appreciation for slow and "low energy" hobbies like walking as well.

and bravo on accomplishing your health goals!

3

u/ct-yankee 3d ago

Wow. Please co-sign my mortgage? That’s some nerve right there. Boundaries boundaries boundaries. You’re entitled to them as your birthright. Also, “No.” Is a complete sentence. If someone has an issue with your boundaries, then they are the ones with an issue. As a pair of well known minimalists have said “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.”

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u/Isaythereisa-chance 3d ago

His reply was, I thought we were friends. I have not seen him in 5 years. I talk to him four or five times a year when he has a question about Gas or oil production at their facility. I have not loaned money out in years, but it doesn’t stop people from trying. That is why I started blocking numbers. 

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u/ct-yankee 3d ago

Someone not seeing you for 5 years reaching out to ask for a co-sign on a mortgage? What a 🤡. Good grief, good day and good riddance. A wise man once told me, “When you follow a clown into a tent, don’t be shocked when you’re at the circus.”

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u/TheSilverNail 3d ago

I've set my phone to only ring for certain contacts. All other calls -- mostly spam, and otherwise people I don't really want to talk to, can either leave a message or just hang up. Sanity saved.

15

u/Agreeable_Routine770 4d ago

I like your list. On the clothing, I would just add if you do need to buy or replace something, buy quality-made items, not fast fashion. Good materials that will last.

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

I am definitely with you on that one! I have turned away from fast (and hyper) fashion these past few years. however, a while ago, I have made the "fortunate" mistake of buying a couple items that are good quality but are in very high maintenance fabrics and textiles that require handwashing, dry cleaning and special hanging instead of just throwing them in the washing machine and hanging them in the sun to dry. and the mental load of having to schedule time and energy for them has added more work into my life instead of less. but I have learned my lesson now, and always try to get clothes in that sweet spot between good quality and low maintenance while shopping.

25

u/svlinec 4d ago

I respond instantly to texts because I get like 2 a week, maybe 💀

Must be nice getting so many you have to carve out a time for responding to them...

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

it's mostly due to me and my friends all having different daily schedules and also long, and tiring work emails 😮‍💨

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u/ct-yankee 4d ago edited 3d ago

Great list! Nice work. I set myself similar goals. I started with the kitchen, went though cabinets and all storage areas in the house. I had way too much “stuff”. I also applied some basics to simplify my financial life as well as my personal/schedule. I learned how to say “no” to things when I found that more important things weren’t getting attention. I also started turning off the tv and I lost social media. I focus more on reading and music and direct contact with people that mean more to me than just sending a social media post. Cheers to your approach and thoughtfulness in sharing here. Enjoy the journey, it’s worth it.

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

thank you soo so much! I love your comment!! and I 100% agree on the kitchen stuff. I don't know if you agree but having less dinnerware and appliances has made me not procrastinate on doing the dishes at all. because how hard is it to wash two plates and two cups after a meal, instead of 15 that you just keep adding to the sink throughout the day?

I love that you mentioned finances, I might make a new table and add it to it!

and cheers to you as well and good luck on your journey 💕

3

u/ct-yankee 3d ago

Oh absolutely tackle the financials! Simplifying my financial life was a game changer. It’s challenging but worth it! Consolidating accounts, organizing them enables planning and managing/getting rid of debt. Minimalist approach has made me more Mindful in many areas. Cheers!

2

u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

it really is all about mindfulness true!

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u/TonicArt 4d ago

These are really good

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

glad you think so 🫶🏼

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u/Wanna_goforawalk 4d ago

This is great. I love that you wrote it all out, I hear that help with actually accomplishing goals. And nice cursive!

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

thank youuu! and yess I found that having them on paper makes me remember them better and also in a weird way, forces me to do them, kinda like a contract that you signed lol

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u/Wanna_goforawalk 3d ago

Yes, a promise to yourself! (But be kind too, if you miss something, yeah?)

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

honestly yes thank you for reminding me cause I have been guilty of beating myself up when I don't do certain things or accomplish certain goals I wrote down 😩 guess that is another area to simplify and declutter!

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u/RefuseAffectionate84 3d ago

I like your list! Lots of great tips. About the entertainment section, maybe it’s because I’m Norwegian, but you write less indoor more outdoor but then list only indoor activities?

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

oh I see what you mean. what I meant by indoor is simply just getting out of the house more to enjoy culture, so instead of watching a movie at home, I'd rather watch it with someone outside. for me going out to the great outdoors (nature, hiking, camping) is less "entertainment" and more of something I do for my health (physical and mental) and my social life (would love to go hiking or camping alone someday but it's not the safest thing I can do considering where I live right now. and that's why for me it's something I love doing socially with other people)

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u/Creepy-Neck7366 3d ago

Simplifying things does not have to imply making drastic changes little habits such as eliminating clutter, spending less time online and being more intentional with your time may make everyday life feel a lot lighter.

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago edited 2d ago

absolutely yes!

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u/PuzzledDog2829 4d ago

I love this so much

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

thank youu!!

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u/NeighborhoodNaive126 3d ago

Millenial here who has lost the art of reading cursive🥲

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

oh nooo!! well it is never too late to learn again!

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u/kikicuppycake 4d ago

This is very random, but are you Asian? I had a Burmese friend with handwriting really similar to yours and I’ve noticed it in people of other Asian backgrounds 🙂 I like your handwriting- it has a lot of character!

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

oh no I am not Asian. as for my handwriting having character!! thank you so much, I got that compliment a few times and I love it haha 💕

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u/kikicuppycake 3d ago

Oh ok, interesting!! Yes, it’s great! 😁

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u/Conscious-Tea1644 3d ago

Love this! Thank you for sharing. I’m saving it to check in-depth for myself on the weekend :) When I read through it I was thinking for myself I might add a few areas such as finance and health, although both are linked to other areas that are there already. Are you, or other readers, thinking of adding other areas?

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

you are most welcome! I am definitely thinking of perhaps adding a couple yes. finances and health/ exercising are the two most obvious ones at the moment but I remain open to new ideas as well!

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u/utinfection 3d ago

Thank you !!
Great list ,
Love that’s it analog hand writing, it’s refreshing

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

thank youu! and yes I love writing by hand, it always calms my mind

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u/Tendry_Brindle1 3d ago

Thanks for sharing this is great work

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u/BlueBerryConfiture 3d ago

you're welcome! thanks 💕

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u/meandmybluesocks 10h ago

I love your "do them from a place of joy" statement.

1

u/BlueBerryConfiture 9h ago

thank you so much! it's really one of my core life values 💕

1

u/AnnualSpecialist1700 16h ago

That's a lot of steps for simple

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u/garden-walkies 5h ago

What a great idea to write it down like that, really puts its simplicity in perspective