Living a simple life looks different for each person. It doesn’t mean you have to buy a farm and live off the land. You can still live a life that is simple and fulfilling without doing those things at all.
I know a couple that owned a big, fancy house. A few years ago they decided to sell and rent a small, simple house so they could afford to buy a property at the beach. They said being at the beach revived them; they felt at peace and closer to God at the beach and it was how they renewed their energy. That was what living a simple life meant for them-removing the financial strain of their big house so they could spend time doing what they love.
Usually we’re so busy we don’t take time to think about how we want our lives to look-we just run from one thing to another, all day, every day. Many times we have no idea what we really want.
Why is living a simple life (one that brings joy and meaning to your life) important? Life is short. We have no idea how long we have on this earth. We were put here for a purpose and on purpose. Being stressed out all the time by finances and overbooked schedules can cause long-term damage to your health. High blood pressure, sleep problems, weight gain ( to name just a few) are usually indicators of stress and an out-of-balance lifestyle.
What does your simple life look like? Is it downsizing so you can quit your stressful job and have a more meaningful job and still be able to pay your bills? Is it starting your own business so you have time to care for your family? Is it owning a cabin in the mountains so you can get away and enjoy the peace and quiet?
Now that you know why you need a simple life, how do you get there? I’m not sure who to credit this saying to but I’ve heard it said that you can’t get somewhere if you don’t know where you’re going. Maybe you love the way your life is right now. If so, that’s awesome! If you find yourself saying, “I sure wish I could….” or “I want to do this….”, then maybe it’s time to sit down and come up with a game plan.
Here are a few suggestions:
1) Take a few minutes to inventory what your life looks like currently and what you would like to have changed. Maybe you love most things about your life and you only need to tweak a few small things.
2) What would be involved with changing those things? Write down a list of the steps so you have a clear idea what you need to do. Do you need to change your spending habits to save money to fund those changes? Do you need to downsize? Do you need to change jobs?
3) Set a timeline to implement those changes. Small changes can be implemented daily or weekly. If your goal is to change your finances, maybe you pack lunch instead of buying lunch. If you have a larger goal, like downsizing, break that into smaller steps and give yourself dates to accomplish those goals.
4) Don’t get discouraged. Sometimes making changes can feel overwhelming. Just remember that small steps are still progress. No matter how long it takes to get there, it will be worth the hard work to get there.
5) Enjoy the journey. This process will grow you. You will learn a lot about yourself and it will help you to appreciate your life when you finally reach your goals.
Not sure where to start? Good news! I’m a life coach….I can help! I would love to chat with you to help you determine your next steps. If you don’t know what life coaching is, visit my website and book a free 30 minute session. I can’t wait to chat with you!
mindyheinercoaching.com
Love and blessings,
Mindy
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