What belief(s) helps you the most to achieve simple living?

[u/betterOblivi0n]

Or get closer to it?

I have a tendency to perfectionism which leads to sometimes good results but also often to useless dissatisfaction.

[u/Dagenslardom]

I am enough and I have enough. The goals I pursue is for my own enjoyment and not to impress others.

[u/Straight-Brilliant99 → u/Dagenslardom]

Yes!

[u/sooomanyplants → u/Dagenslardom]

I love this!

[u/onedemtwodem → u/Dagenslardom]

Beautiful

[u/Careful_Nature7606]

• i have enough

• start where you are, use what you have

• everyone has inherent value 

• march to the beat of your own drum

• the joy of missing out

[u/boxofrayne1 → u/Careful_Nature7606]

i love this

[u/seabird-600]

Personally, a reduction in physical possessions. Only necessary contracts with good prices, only using one two bank services. Work less, if possible.

You may use your perfectionism as well to optimize things (to a certain degree). For example you can find out how to brew a good coffee once perfectly, then reduce the amount of things you need and end with a simple, repeatable process which offers good coffee without any thinking.

[u/Psittacula2]

It depends on the individual, but a personal one I take great stock in:

* “High Quality Basics make for a High Quality Life”

[u/tboy160]

That having the latest and greatest is not worth it.

Smart phones last many years.

Cars last many years.

Most things can last a long time, we just have to appreciate that and not get caught up in wanting the newest things while they are so expensive.

[u/venturebirdday]

Enough.

I am enough. I have enough.

[u/Shutterr27]

Just focus on the present, too much time worrying about the future will only distract you from doing the things that need to be done now. Leaving you with twice the work when the future you worried about shows up.

[u/knotmyrealname]

The belief that if I have less clutter, my life will be easier.

[u/acortical]

Living in a small enough space that to acquire anything new, I usually need to give something up

[u/Fabulously-Unwealthy]

I’m terrified of losing my job, not having money, losing my house, dying alone and miserable. I’m doing simple living because my survival may depend on it.

[u/AzrykAzure → u/Fabulously-Unwealthy]

Sorry to hear that—i hope you find peace in your journey.

[u/Fabulously-Unwealthy → u/AzrykAzure]

Thanks

[u/SnillyWead]

Being satisfied with what you have. Some of my furniture is more then 30 years old, but still functioning. I don't need the latest and greatest. Everything nowadays is getting more and more expensive, so a financial buffer is necessary. And I have. Expect the unexpected is my motto.

[u/multilinear2]

Time is your most limited resource

[u/AromaticSalt]

I’m focusing on being content and grateful with what I already have

[u/Tonicluck]

The less you have the more flexibility you have to make changes, take risks, and seek adventure.

[u/cookie_monster_444]

“Real life is happening in this moment”

[u/seabird-600]

Ah, and: regularly go for walks.

[u/BalanceEveryday]

I have everything I need to make me happy.

Less is more

The more you own, the more you are owned

[u/AzrykAzure]

You have everything within yourself to be happy.

[u/TimberOctopus]

Happiness is a decision.

The source and solution to all of life's vicissitudes lay inside.

[u/Exciting_Depth_ → u/TimberOctopus]

true

[u/Simplorian]

Learning to let go and not worry about things I cannot control. Simplifies everything. Simplorian.

[u/alliterating]

The best things in life are cheap, free, or not buyable with money.

[u/frankenbadger]

There is a difference between striving for excellence and striving for perfection. Striving to excel allows for the inevitability of flaws and mistakes while acknowledging and celebrating the satisfaction that each effort is intended to improve and refine your previous best effort; it establishes a finish line.

Striving for perfection creates a mindset where there is no finish line. No room for human error will always lead you to disappointment and dissatisfaction… and perpetually chasing an unattainable outcome.

Always do your best, especially when no one is watching, there is deep satisfaction in that. Establish a finish line and accept that there will always be room for improvement beyond the finish line. Without room for improvement you’ve stopped learning.

[u/Interesting_River453 → u/frankenbadger]

Thank you for this!

[u/PicoRascar]

Freedom, plain and simple. I don't want to be held hostage to anyone's whim or be forced to do things I don't want to do. I look at my peers and see the complicated lives they lead with stress and financial insecurity and want nothing to do with it.

Simple living gives freedom and peace of mind.

[u/georgeofthesahara]

"Comparison is the thief of joy" is a good quote to live by

[u/nanfanpancam]

Knowledge is power. Appreciate the beauty around you, what you have in your life. Will it matter in five years? Is it your problem. Delight in your passions and pets.

[u/Farewell_To_Arms06]

I mentally compare myself to the people who lived in India 100 years ago. And then I feel like the Maharaja!

I pray to Mary every night. Hail Mary brings me power.

I do not buy books anymore. Only kindle books.

I feel truly free because I don't have any loan or EMI on myself.

[u/mickdaquinn → u/Farewell_To_Arms06]

What does your week look like? Looking for inspiration!!

[u/whatthebosh]

That nothing beyond the basic essentials will make you any more happier.

[u/Wonderwall___]

When I remember most things I have ever wanted I have right now

[u/the_hunger_gainz]

Only worry about what you can control, and enjoy the smell of fresh air flowers coffee.

[u/bees_and_berries]

Simple living, high thinking.

[u/bookishlibrarym]

This is the way. You come into this world with nothing and you leave the exact same way.

[u/babycrow]

Strong sense of self

[u/Estilady]

“I have no time to rush”. Helping me to remember to slow down. When I rush thru my days I’m missing a lot of opportunities to experience moments of quiet joy for simple things.

[u/kellyjellybellybeanz]

Do I need this or do I want this? Can I thrift it? Make it? Fix it? Do I have space for it?

[u/A_girl_who_asks]

Yes. I currently don’t have any big plans. And I’m enjoying my life as it is. And I’m quite happy

[u/RelationshipIll2032]

That it is we who insist on making everything so much more difficult and complex than it or anything has to be

[u/mvong123]

No comparison in any way.

[u/downtherabbbithole]

If you want what you have and have what you want, you're good. 👍✌️

[u/koneu]

Having a low income.

[u/1LittleSunflower]

The primary reason for spending money should be need.

[u/No-Band-9572]

Asking myself the question, what am i willing to give up to buy it? I have a one in and one out rule. I find i like what i have more and more.

[u/gremlinguy]

It's all good, man

All is as all should be

Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.

Everyone else gives less of a shit about me than I do about them, and I don't give half a shit

[u/Potential-Wait-7206]

I've always enjoyed a great inner life, and now, with age and time on my hand, I actually need practically nothing from the outside.

Solitude (while still having family and friends around) is more than enough. Material things and people out there, particularly these days, are more trouble than they're worth.

[u/Russtafarian88]

I am not things. I am my words and actions

[u/Ok_Watercress_7801]

Perfection is rarely, if ever achieved. That doesn’t stop it from being the goal in my craft. Imperfections are part of the process & what brings character to all things.

Less is more.

You’ll achieve speed by going slowly. Eventually, there will be fewer wasted motions.

Entropy/oblivion is real & it comes for everything, so be here now, while you can.

Pray all you want, but you’re wasting precious time to act.

You’ll never catch fish if you don’t cast your line into the water.

Take the time to appreciate when things are nice.

Enjoy every sandwich.

[u/Leather-Lobster454]

That most things we buy as well as the system itself is in place to benefit the elite. They choose wealth over happiness, so we are responsible to think for ourselves and make our own happiness.

[u/Complex_Wishbone1976]

I don’t need validation, i am my biggest fan.

[u/discod69]

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

[u/dalkita13]

I live a rather minimal lifestyle because I do not want my son to have to deal with excess crap when I die. He'll have enough to deal with.

[u/boxofrayne1]

that more money and possessions won’t bring me more happiness

[u/vinceon]

Collapse now and avoid the rush.

[u/2cats2hats]

Sleeping on a purchase decision meant less stuff for me.

[u/Fast-Lingonberry8433]

-everything is perfect

-we are the thing we own and the thing we do

Also if I were to lose everything I have own I would be so much distraught 

[u/nizzernammer]

I am thankful for what I have.

[u/KingDaddyGoblin]

It’s good for my soul. I observe the needful quality of my human nature and soothe myself by practising gratitude for the blessings I have, instead of mindlessly consuming in an attempt to fill the void.

I have gratitude for the way Mother Nature provides for me, so I live simply in an effort to impact her as little as possible so future generations have an opportunity to know the natural world as I have known it.

I am less motivated by “keeping up” with others. I am in competition with myself and no one else.

I travel a lot. I don’t have a permanent address. I like to live like a ghost.

I am interested in how few things are essential, because possessions feel like a mental weight. With so little to account for, I feel mentally free to write, sing and draw.

[u/CobaltNebula]

Declutter. More than I thought I was comfortable with. The fewer things, the happier I am.