Simple living is not always easy as it seems, here are 5 ways to find beauty in simplicity.
What do you think of when you hear the word “simplicity“?
Does a minimalistic home in black and white with straight modern lines come to mind? A simple Shaker style home? It looks different for each person.
Simplicity is more than a way of life, it is a mindset as well.
For me, simplicity harkens to times of a less “complicated” life. To be sure I am continually learning to downsize my possessions, (even my books, so dear those books…) but I am also embracing a more traditional way of doing things. Perhaps you could call it “old fashioned” living.
In a culture where there seems to be a push for more and more and as fast as we can get it, I desire to embrace a simpler way of life.
The simple life looks different for each person. Some will think of learning to do life with fewer things. Other’s consider it to be a life that resembles the 1800s… There is no right or wrong.
There is so much beauty in simplicity. When the days get tough it’s important to find joy in the simple daily tasks of life. A simpler life may be just what you need in our busy modern world.
5 Ways to Find Beauty in Simplicity
1. Embrace the Beauty in the Everyday Tasks
The truth of the matter is that simple living is not always easy. When you strive to get back to your roots some things take more time. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth it, it simply takes more intentionality.
The simple tasks of watering the garden, chopping vegetables, or sweeping the floor can all have an element of beauty. Joy can be found in everyday routines. We have a choice to begrudge or to embrace them.
Pray and give thanks for what those everyday tasks represent- food to eat, a house to live in, family and friends nearby, whatever those things might be for you.
2. Cook From Scratch
Many of our grandmothers gladly embraced modern conveniences as they came on the market in the 40s and 50s, departing from the days of making all of their food from scratch, following the “wisdom” of the “experts” of the time.
Isn’t it wonderful to live in an age where we can choose to make everything from scratch or to purchase some premade items from the grocery store?
My grandma milked her own cow, churned butter, and made every meal from scratch for her family of 7, gladly ditched the cow and bread for margarin and Wonder Bread because she was tired. Better options weren’t as easy for her to come by like they are where I live now.
There are so many skills I would have loved to have learned from both of my grandmothers. When I was little I didn’t realize how precious many of those skills were. Thanks to my mom, old recipes, and stories I have slowly adopted many of them.
Cooking from scratch gives us the freedom to slow down and love cooking instead of seeing it at a chore. There is beauty in the simplicity of kneading bread, chopping onions, and simmering broth.
Even with a budget, I am thankful I can stock a few basics to have on hand for the days when I don’t have the energy or time.
3. Live Seasonally
Seasonal living allows you to embrace the seasons and the unique blessing each one brings.
Spring and summer are for filling with extra projects and activities while fall and winter call for you to slow down and recharge.
Decorate your home with nature to reflect the seasons- a bouquet of flowers from the side of the road or farmer’s market in the summer and small pumpkins and leaves in the fall. Each season has a bit of nature that can be brought inside.
Your kitchen can reflect the seasons as well. Learn what to grow in the garden or buy at the store to add to your meals. Seasonal eating ensures the freshest flavor and more affordable prices as well.
Cultivating hygge year-round is one of my favourite ways to celebrate each season.
- 10 Ways to Embrace Hygge this Spring
- 10 Ways to Embrace Hygge this Summer
- 15 Ways to Add a Bit of Hygge to Your Fall
- 10 Ways to Create Hygge this Winter
4. From Scratch Cleaning and Health
Until the past 50 years, or so homemakers relied mostly on water, soap, and other simple household products to clean their homes. There wasn’t the overwhelm of having a plethora of choices.
You can keep your home clean with a few simple ingredients to fit all of your cleaning needs without clogging your cabinets with too many products. Many of those things are also something that you might use in your cooking and herbal remedy making as well.
You have the peace of knowing exactly what is in your cleaners when you make them yourself. You don’t have to worry about exposure to toxic chemicals. Instead, clean with ones that are known for their effectiveness and safety. When you use essential oils, you are adding cleaning powder and a non-toxic option to fragrance.
Practical Cleaning Basics
- White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Washing Soda
- Castile Soap
- Essential Oils
Stocking basic herbs and essential oils allows you to care for your family’s everyday needs. I grew up on herbal tinctures and teas and have seen what a difference they made in our health. My years raising my girls in Mexico taught me the beauty of growing and harvesting herbs for simple, daily use.
I love to create tinctures, salves, and roller bottle blends with plants that God provided for us and learning about the many ways they can be used!
Herbal and Essential Oil How to
5. Love What You Have
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” ~William Morris
In a world where we either want to have all the things or Kon Mari our lives, we swing the pendulum one direction or either. Instead, why not embrace what you love and only keep the things that you find beauty in or need for a functioning home?
While a washing machine might not be beautiful, it sure is useful. I might be old-fashioned enough to want to line dry my clothes, I’m not going to turn my nose up at throwing my clothes in a washing machine.
Be intentional about what you have in your home and about what you don’t. There is no need to clutter space with things you don’t enjoy or find useful.
Slowly find ways to make your home feel like a haven for you and those you love. As a 21st century woman, you are still a homemaker. Isn’t it wonderful that we have the blessing of the old and the new to balance our days out with?
Beauty in simplicity does exist. Sometimes we just have to look for it. Once you start to see it, then it turns up everywhere you turn.
How are you finding beauty in simplicity today?
Simple is beautiful! Thanks for a lovely post(:
You’re welcome. 🙂