As time goes on it seems like life gets more and more hectic. Some people thrive in such an environment and others wither away in it. The latter set of people often make the decision to live a more simple life despite their access to all the comforts of modern life. They adopt the Intentional Simplicity lifestyle. Here are five aspects of being intentionally simple so you can further understand this ever growing lifestyle choice.
Simplicity is … A State of Mind
Simplicity is far more than just how you choose to live. It is a whole state of mind. It is a whole philosophy and a way of thinking. It means that your mind naturally goes towards the simple pleasures of life. It doesn’t take much concentration to think simply. It just happens. For many people who are new to intentional simplicity that state of mind aspect takes some training. It does not come naturally at first. But, over time it becomes easier and simplicity becomes a state of mind and a way of life.
Simplicity is … Contentment
Living an intentional simple life does not necessarily mean you are deprived or poor. Someone who lives simply could very well have enough money in the bank to cover all expenses and then some. Simplicity, however, does mean that you are happy and content with what you do have. You don’t always seek out the comfort of more things or things to do. It means feeling blessed with what you have no matter how much or how little it is. It means that you know that just don’t need anymore. Life is too grand to spend in the pursuit of things. Life is to be spent in the pursuit of ideas and love of others.
Simplicity is … Intentional
The world around us is everything but simple. It is extremely complex and moving at a fast pace. How does one deny that and adopt a simple lifestyle? You have to be very intentional about it. You make the decision to deny the pressures around you and accept an easier and more simple life. You make the decision to not worry about what is in fashion and to focus more on clothes that are functional and yet classic in fashion. You decide to cook a homemade meal and rent a video for pajama movie night instead of worrying about all the money spent on dinner and a movie in town. You are intentional about growing your own food in a garden. You cook all your food from scratch instead of relying on packaged goods.
Simplicity is … Resourceful
People who adopt the intentional simplicity lifestyle choose to do as much as they can for themselves without relying on outside help. That being said there is a place for outside community help when a job is too big for one person or family. But, whenever possible those who live a simple life try to be self-reliant. They grow their own food. They mend their own clothes or even make their own clothes. As said above, they make a lot of their food from scratch in their own kitchens. When an appliance breaks they do what they can to fix it themselves. They are their own handyman around the house or property.
Simplicity is … Counter-Cultural
The world around us is anything but simple. It is hectic and fast-paced. It is stressful and obsessed on moving up. It is focused on celebrities, world issues, and more money. Simple living gives up on all that. Simple living allows you to truly enjoy the world around you with all its beautiful parts that most people are too busy to notice. Simplicity allows our children to stay children longer without
the pressures of being like everyone else. Simplicity allows us to rediscover the skills of our ancestors that helped them get through tough times. Simplicity is counter-cultural in its very nature.