Tales of Slow & Simple | 04

A few of the things that have helped and inspired me to embrace and bring more simplicity into my daily life

In my Tales of Slow & Simple series, I’ll be sharing with you my journey of embracing and living a slower and simpler life; one that is filled with little moments of joy, discovery, healing, mindfulness, and intentionality, and one that prioritises my energy for what matters most.

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In last month’s Tales of Slow & Simple, I shared some of my favourite ways to bring slow living into my daily routine. This month, I thought I’d begin to share how I’ve been trying to live more simply over the past couple of years, and what that journey has looked like for me.

I must admit, for many years I was a bit of a hoarder! I just didn’t want to get rid of anything, and I kept collecting more and more stuff, and in the end it just got very overwhelming. Especially when I got married and moved in with my husband, and realised just how much stuff I actually had. There was a lot!

But it wasn’t just having too much stuff that was keeping me from embracing more simplicity in my daily life. I also realised how much I was holding on to things emotionally and neglecting to set boundaries. I was also neglecting my mental and physical well-being, and not setting limits on the media I consumed. I lost connection with the things I valued most.

“…it is the sweet, simple things of life, which are the real ones after all”
- Laura Ingalls Wilder

I once came across something that has stayed with me ever since: “If it no longer serves you, brings you joy, or you can’t even remember owning it, maybe it’s time to let it go.” I believe this goes far beyond just the things we own.

This has shown me how deeply I crave simplicity and stillness, free from the clutter and noise that disrupt my days. I want to fully embrace the joyful moments, not hurry past them, and keep close the things that truly matter. I want to feel unburdened, with the space to think and breathe more freely.

Here’s a few of the things that have helped and inspired me to embrace and bring more simplicity into my daily life, and hopefully they might inspire you too. It’s still very much a journey, but it has become a happy and rewarding one.

Gathering Inspiration

I love reading! It’s probably where I find and gather most of my inspiration. My husband and I purchased three beautiful ebooks by

Jessica Rose Williams

, which have become such valuable resources that we can go back to and reflect on time and time again. A Simplified Life, A Simplified Home, and A Simplified Wardrobe are wonderful companions that gently inspire and encourage you to simplify your daily life.

Another book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading is Why Less is More: Making Space for What Matters Most by Cathy Madavan. It’s a down-to-earth and honest book that really resonated with me a lot. It will lead you on a journey of discovery, celebrating the power of simplicity and the freedom of saying yes to less.

Being more conscious of what I’m spending my time, energy and money on

I’ve grown much more mindful of how I spend my time and energy. I’ve become very aware of how the noise and busyness of daily life can distract us from what matters most and what brings us joy. I try to build small daily habits like reading, exercising, writing down tasks (since I can be forgetful), finding moments of quiet, focusing on gratitude and contentment, and setting priorities.

Another phrase that has stayed with me is: “Do I truly need it, or do I just want it?” It really puts things into perspective when I’m in a shop or happen to be browsing online.

Simplifying my wardrobe

As I mentioned earlier, I used to be quite a hoarder, and that included my clothes. I had clothes I’d kept for years, ones that no longer fit, had seen better days, or were bought from the charity shop simply because they were a good price but were shoved to the back and hadn’t been worn or seen daylight in ages.

I’ve managed to reduce my wardrobe to just a few key pieces that take me through each season, and I now try to think carefully before buying any new clothes (or shoes). It was tough at first, but now I have clothes I wear regularly, I aim for quality rather than quantity, and it feels very satisfying having all my clothes fit into one small place. It’s also took the stress away from wondering what to wear, as I’ve significantly reduced the items of clothing I own.

Limiting screen time

I try to limit my screen time throughout the day. There have been many times I’ve picked up my phone and mindlessly scrolled through social media for half an hour (or more). I also make an effort to be mindful of not using my phone as much first thing in the morning and at night before bed. I always know when I’ve used it too much, as the battery is almost on empty!

Limiting my screen time helps clear my mind, reduce distractions, and focus on the things that matter most.

Focusing on gratitude

Focusing on the things I’m thankful for each day helps me appreciate what I have, rather than focusing on what I don’t. It shifts the desire for more into a deep appreciation for what I’ve already got. It may sound cliché, but it truly helps create a positive mindset and shifts our focus to the important and meaningful things in life. It keeps me grounded in the present, removes comparison, and makes decluttering simpler, both with physical items and mentally.

Another small thing I’ve done this year is dig out my 8-year-old Kindle, which thankfully is still going strong! That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped buying physical books (I could never do that), but I’ve become more mindful about which ones I choose to buy in print, considering the space we have for more books. I’ve also been sorting out books that I know I’m not going to read again, and rather than keep them, I’ve given them to charity so they can be enjoyed by others. I’m really enjoying using my Kindle again, which also means I now have room for the series of books I’d like to collect in hardcopy.

Recently, we redecorated our bedroom. It’s been a bit of an ongoing project, but we finally finished it. Our bedroom is small, with limited space for our wardrobe, but it’s taught us to be more mindful of what we keep in there and how to make the most of the space. Keeping it minimal has completely transformed the room, and now it’s a space we truly enjoy spending time in.

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Embracing simplicity doesn’t mean giving up everything, it means making space for what truly matters. Here’s a prompt for reflection:

What’s one small step I can take today to simplify my life and create more space for what truly matters?

Until next time…

My Substack is free to read, but you can support my creative work by clicking here to buy me a virtual coffee.

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