🌿 Living with Less: The Surprisingly Luxurious Life of Simplicity

🌿 Living with Less: The Surprisingly Luxurious Life of Simplicity

Let’s face it—we live in a world where “more” is sold as the answer to everything. More square footage. More clothes. More notifications. More apps to manage the anxiety caused by all the other apps.

But what if less is actually more?

No, not in the Pinterest-minimalism-with-$5,000-furniture sense. We're talking real, practical, liberating simplicity. Living with less isn’t about deprivation—it’s about freedom. It’s the difference between living in your space versus your space living on top of you. Between intentional living and accidental chaos. Between thriving and just keeping up.

And the best part? Living with less is not just good for your sanity—it's good for your wallet, the planet, and your off-grid dreams.

🧠 What Does “Living with Less” Actually Mean?

It’s not about counting your socks or surviving on a spoon and a prayer.

Living with less means:

  • Owning only what serves a purpose or brings you real joy
  • Choosing quality over quantity
  • Simplifying routines, spaces, and commitments
  • Saying “no” to the clutter—physical, digital, emotional

It’s not minimalism with rules—it’s clarity with purpose.

đŸ§č Step 1: Ditch the Clutter (Start with the Easy Stuff)

Look around. That drawer full of expired pens, orphaned batteries, and enough rubber bands to lasso a small goat? That’s step one.

Start decluttering in zones:

  1. Junk drawer
  2. Closet
  3. Bathroom cabinet
  4. Garage (this is where good intentions go to die)
  5. Digital clutter (emails, unused apps, endless tabs—you know who you are)

Ask three things:

  • Do I use this regularly?
  • Do I love this?
  • Would I buy it again today?

If the answer is no—thank it for its service and send it on its way.

(Or, in plain English: donate, recycle, or toss it.)

🛒 Step 2: Buy Less, Choose Well

Living with less doesn’t mean you never buy anything—it means you buy smarter.

Tips for purposeful purchasing:

  • The One-In, One-Out Rule: If something comes in, something else goes out.
  • Wait 48 Hours Rule: Want something? Wait two days. If you still care, maybe it’s worth it.
  • Buy for durability: Quality shoes, tools, cookware, and clothing last years—not months.
  • Buy for need, not mood: Shopping isn’t therapy. Nature is cheaper and less cluttered.

🏡 Step 3: Downsize Your Space (Mentally or Literally)

You don’t need a tiny house on a trailer to live with less (though, let’s be honest—they’re adorable). But rethinking how much space you actually need can be life-changing.

Some shifts:

  • Can you turn one multipurpose room into three functional spaces?
  • Would your family survive without a formal dining room-turned-laundry-folding-pit?
  • Is that storage unit costing you $100/month just to store guilt?

Smaller homes = less to clean, heat, cool, and maintain. Translation: more freedom, more money, more time.

📅 Step 4: Simplify Your Schedule

“Busy” isn’t a badge of honor—it’s usually a sign of poor boundaries.

Living with less means protecting your time like it's solar power in the winter. Choose commitments that energize, not deplete. Learn to say “no” with grace. Or, if you’re bold: “Nope, I’m in my JOMO era” (Joy of Missing Out).

Make room for:

  • Rest
  • Nature
  • Real meals
  • Actual conversations
  • Doing nothing without feeling guilty about it (yes, that’s allowed)

💡 Step 5: Go Digital Simple

Your phone doesn’t need to run your life. Delete the clutter apps. Unsubscribe from junk emails. Turn off unnecessary notifications. Try “digital fasting” on weekends.

Because no one ever said on their deathbed, “I wish I’d checked more push alerts.”

đŸŒ± The Perks of Less

Let’s be clear—this isn’t about romanticizing poverty. It’s about recognizing that abundance doesn’t come from owning everything—it comes from appreciating what you have and making space for what truly matters.

When you live with less:

  • You spend less money
  • You waste less time
  • You breathe easier in your space
  • You clean less often (hallelujah!)
  • You reduce your footprint
  • You become more adaptable, content, and resourceful

It’s not just about a lifestyle—it’s a mindset. One where enough is actually
 enough.

đŸ§˜â™€ïž What Living with Less Is Not

Let’s bust a few myths:

  • ❌ It’s not boring. It’s peaceful.
  • ❌ It’s not cheap. It’s smart.
  • ❌ It’s not anti-progress. It’s intentional living.
  • ❌ It’s not for hermits. It’s for anyone craving clarity.

đŸ› ïž Tips for Getting Started (Without Overthinking It)

  1. Start with one drawer.
  2. Ask “Do I need this?” before every purchase for a week.
  3. Unfollow 10 social accounts that make you feel like you need more.
  4. Try a “no-buy” month (groceries and essentials only).
  5. Embrace white space—in your calendar, closet, and kitchen.

Let simplicity become a habit—not a one-time purge.

💬 Final Thoughts

Living with less is not a punishment. It’s not boring. It’s not a weird internet trend. It’s a return to enoughness—to freedom from stuff that doesn’t matter and connection to what does.

Whether you’re trying to go off-grid, live more sustainably, save money, or just stop tripping over stuff in your hallway
 living with less is the answer you didn’t know you needed.

So breathe. Clear a shelf. Light a candle. And remember—you’re not giving things up. You’re gaining space for the life you actually want.

Back to blog