Do you desire simple living? Are you on a journey to bring simplicity into your home?
I’ve been on my journey to simple living for a few weeks now and let me tell you something…
It isn’t easy!
It seems every choice I make has the potential to create havoc for the simple life I’m trying to create.
In fact, I’ve hit a few stumbling blocks, so today I thought I would share 3 traps to avoid when you desire simple living.
Here are 3 traps to avoid when you desire simple living. #simplicity Click To TweetSTORES
I think the first step to living simply, is learning to live with less.
This doesn’t mean living a deprived life, but rather living intentionally.
Shopping is one of the biggest threats to simple living. There are so many things that we think we want or need, but when that item comes into the home, it often complicates life.
- It takes up space.
- It uses energy (to maintain/clean it, or in the literal sense, uses electricity).
- It often impacts your budget.
Look for fulfilling activities to do instead of shopping. You can garden, read, write, clean your home, declutter your closets, and spend time with your loved ones. The opportunities are numerous!
THE SMARTPHONE
Oh my goodness this has been my biggest struggle and obstacle. Don’t get me wrong, a smartphone can be a huge help, but it can also be a drain on time and energy.
I’ve had to wean myself off of my smartphone. In fact, I discovered a great app, Moment, which tracks how often I use my iPhone. This app made me aware of the amount of time I spend on my phone, mindlessly perusing my Facebook feed or compulsively checking my emails.
The first day that I had the app, I discovered I spent almost 4 hours a day on my phone!
FOUR HOURS!?
Just think of what I could get done if I reclaimed that time?!
After this revelation, I began to cut my iPhone use. Suddenly my time was spent playing with my kids, decluttering the house, writing, and reading! All these “new” activities increase my happiness and I feel better about the way I spend my days.
I now spend about 1 1/2 hours per day on my phone. I would like to get it down to less than 1 hour but these things take time and grace.
COMPARISON
While you may be on a quest to live simply, other people in your life most likely are not. They’re still buying and filling their lives and homes with things they love.
If your sister buys a 60″ television, don’t compare it to your 32″ television. Just because your television is smaller, doesn’t mean that it lacks value. You have a television — be happy with it.
There will always be a newer “thing” — don’t fall into the trap of upgrading, you’ll never be satisfied. Don’t compare what you have to what others have.
You will have to remind yourself of your desire to live simply. Living simply is your journey. Stay true to your intentions and avoid all comparison with others.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Theodore Roosevelt
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Those are my top three traps to living simply. Would you add anything to this list? I invite you to comment below and tell me all about it!
I am pretty sure if I tracked my cell phone usage I wouldn’t be shocked to find out I use it more than not during the daytime and awake hours. But may just do this just to see for sure. That said what great advice and will have to try to take some to simplify some here for me daily. Also, loving the new look around here and you did a great job refreshing your site – love it!! Now wishing you a lovely week ahead, too xoxo :)
I was stunned by how much I use my cell phone.
Thanks for the compliments about my site’s new look! It means a lot coming from you.
Wishing you a lovely week as well!
These are some great tips! I’m not sure I want to know how much time I spend on my phone….
I’m delighted you enjoyed these tips Jessie.
I was nervous about finding out how much time I spent on my phone, but the knowledge motivated me to be more intentional about my cell phone use. Now I have all this “extra” time on my hands to do the things I love!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
I think I’m going to download that app moment. I spent quite a LOT of time on my phone as well, usually on social media and I need to cut back. I also have a nasty habit of always wanting to upgrade to the next new thing. You’re right, we don’t NEED all the things we see, they’re usually wants and I need to learn to live a lot more simple this year, especially since I’m planning on saving a lot more.
The Moment app is AMAZING! I love it and it’s made me much more mindful of how much I use my phone.
I’m delighted these tips resonated with you – simplicity definitely saves money!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
These are such great tips to live simply and avoid common traps! And yeah, now I’m off to download Moment… A bit scared about that, but my sincere thanks to you for highlighting it. :)
I love the Moment app. It really has made a difference. I haven’t bought the full version yet – the free version suits me fine but I may scoop it if an iTunes gift card comes my way. You’ll have to let me know how it works for you. I almost think I need an accountability group to shamefully share my results every day. lol
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the three traps to avoid when you desire simple living.
Oh girl, I hear you! And I too struggle with ALL of the same things every stinkin’ day. How much stuff do we really NEED? I’ve progressively gotten much better at limiting my shopping and buying things. It’s not a priority thank GOD. Comparison might kill me sometimes. LOL I am intentional about measuring my worth, my abilities, and my choices not by others, but by what God desires for me and my life. It’s an ongoing battle I try to win. :)
My phone isn’t the problem, because I rarely use it- it’s not an iphone so I don’t have all the easily accessible stuff most people do. BUT – my computer? FB? Oh yeah… HOURS. It’s so hard to discern the appropriate and HEALTHY amount of time to be online with all I do in the blog world etc. I know I need to scale down- and that I waste a huge amount of time that I could fill doing more important things.
Thank you for these three ideas and tips. They got me thinking and helped remind me to be even more intentional with my decisions.
I’m glad these tips and ideas got you thinking about being intentional with your decisions. Social media can be so consuming and it’s a struggle for many of us! I’m cheering you on to cut back and reclaim that simplicity you yearn for!
I love your suggestions! My children are grown and gone, but I work in children’s ministry and love to encourage my volunteers, and you have some great ideas! And I especially love the idea to “learn to live with less”! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas to live simply.
I’m delighted that these suggestions resonated with you Karen. When I think of simplicity, I often think of how Jesus lived. He had space and margin room to focus on what mattered most… communication with the Lord, relationship with his followers, and ministry.
heh – my dad jus bought a 60 inch TV! But Cassidy did that too. Ah, them.
If I knew how long I was on my smartphone a day, I might actually cry. It’s much better on weekends or when kids are home, though!
The stores thing. That’s big. They are traps for me.
I cried a little when I had a five hour day. Oh my goodness – I was so disappointed (and also realized how hard I have to work to let go of my phone more).
What’s going on with all the old people, Tamara?
MY dad just bought a 60″ TV also! lol
(Maybe it’s the going eyesight??)
…wait, I just realized I’M getting old!!
[please disregard last aged comment]
…now I TOTALLY agree with Jennifer about the comparison trap…but I have a 27″ TV, not a 32″…
Should I be worried?
(wink)
I can definitely see how controlling all three of these in my life would lead to simpler living. Thanks for the encouragement to guard against wasting time, spending money on things I don’t need, and comparing what I have to others – all struggles I face often!
I’m so glad that these points resonated with you and were good reminders. It takes time, intention, prayer, and buckets of grace, that’s for sure!
I totally hear you on the iPhone….but it is what allows me to be with my kids and earn an income at the same time. It is a necessary evil!
Yes, it is a necessary evil – but it can take over my time and life if I’m not watchful. I can be so intentional with my time when I’m working at my computer but when my phone’s around?! I don’t know what I do with my time!
Absolutely! Along with stores, I’d add catalogs that come in the mail; when I can I toss them in the trash before they even make it into the house. And comparison is a trap to avoid for sure; your simple won’t look like my simple . . . we each need to figure out what works for us not try to make what works for someone else work for us.
Oooh, yes! Catalogs can be a HUGE trap! Good idea to toss them out asap!
Hello Jennifer =)
Now that I’m finally back in the blogosphere, you were the first person I wanted to come see.
Hope that’s okay =)
This article grabbed my attention because Kathilynn and I have been working our way to a simplier life for a few years now. The MAIN goal is to eventually have a family farm and be more self-reliant.
Your three points are solid, and your comparison perspective–I think is the powerhouse.
It’s a multi-layered trap,…and I KNOW you know this.
For me, it’s justifying the comparisons as a means to ‘gauge’ how I’m doing or what I’m doing…but that’s a very slippery slope.
…and there’s no hand rails.
If I could add anything to this delightful article, I’d say that it’s important to maintain the ‘why’ in our minds and hearts of our decision to make these changes in the first place.
You have to want the simple life MORE than the phone use. MORE than the 60″ TV and MORE than the stores and conveniences we’ve become acclimatized to over time.
So glad to visit, and I have to say Jennifer–I think the new blog look is amazing.
When I saw you were publishing AND setting up affiliates I almost threw my hands up and cheered, LOL.
If there’s anyone I know that should have more and more success and even more positive influence with people in the blogosphere, my vote is you =)
Please tell Evan I said hello.
Have a great weekend!
Awww, I’m delighted and flattered that I was the first person you wanted to come see Jaime. I’m delighted that this article resonated with you. I’ve been yearning for simpler – and the Lord impressed this goal upon my heart for the year. I’m excited to see what lessons I learn and what comes from it.
Thanks for the kind works about my blog design and products. It’s been a labor of love, that’s for sure.
I will definitely tell Evan you said hi! Thanks for stopping by my friend!
Labor’s of love always work out better (at least from my own experience).
Excellent pointers. I also take inventory every first of the month of how I’ve spent my time. I try to notice imbalances, areas of my life (family, blogging, health, work) that have suffered a lack of attention, and I prioritize my days to remedy that.
I think reflecting and assessing are so important in so many areas of our lives. Good stuff Eli! Thanks for sharing.
I couldn’t agree more Jennifer! Staying out of stores has really helped me not purchase as much. Especially Target, haha!
And the comparison game is hard, but I just think of how Kellen and I will be retiring early when people we know are working until their 70 because of their spending habits.
Stores are my downfall – I need to stay out of them because I can’t just window shop.
You have a great perspective Tiffany – and I’m sure retirement will be awesome with how you’ve set yourselves up!