Simple Living: A Path to a More Fulfilling Life

Years ago I reached my tipping point. I was as far from simple living as it was possible to be. I was physically and mentally exhausted by this fast-paced world constantly pushing me to chase more success, more possessions, and more meaningless activities. Not only was it beginning to affect my health, but it was also clashing with my spirituality. The life and society I’d surrounded myself with made me feel overwhelmed and disconnected from Earth and Spirit. The demands on my time (and my pocketbook) dragged me further away from who and “how” I wanted to be in this world.

Then one day–quite out of the blue–It occurred to me that I could simply reject it. I could choose a simpler life. Would doing so make me more popular? No. But that was the point. So I did it. I lowered my standards, decided to settle for fewer possessions, simpler living with fewer commitments, and more time dedicated to my Spirit, and I quickly learned that these changes lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life for our entire family.

Here’s why embracing simplicity might also be the best decision you could ever make for yours.

1. Honoring Our Chosen Path

Working against your core beliefs is like whittling away at your soul, one day at a time. And while no two witches or Pagans believe or practice in exactly the same thing, it is fairly safe to say that having a reverence for Earth is a common theme, and with that comes two truths: The first being that, with few exceptions, we cannot blindly work toward acquiring more money and more possessions without, in some way, harming our beautiful earth. The second truth being that we cannot truly chase unlimited riches, fame, and fortune and stay connected to Spirit. It’s quite the opposite, but choosing to step back and live more simply (in whatever way that works for each family) can help keep our energy and commitment where it belongs.

2. Enhanced Focus and Clarity

Living simply means cutting out the unnecessary clutter—both physical and mental—that often distracts us. When we eliminate all the glitzy glitter and shiny gold “prizes” that today’s society flaunts, and we pare down to what truly matters to us and our families, we can focus better on our personal goals and priorities. Imagine the clarity of mind you could achieve if you weren’t constantly bogged down by every bling and ping from your cell phone, for example. What if you learned to say “no” to everything that didn’t bring you closer to the life you wanted to live? How freeing would that be? And by the way, “paring down” does not necessarily mean you’re losing anything. In fact, it’s often quite the opposite. The things that mean more to you bloom and crowd out the things that deplete you. Your life is enhanced in every way.

3. Financial Freedom

Consumerism

Consumerism pushes us to spend more, often beyond our means, leading to financial stress. Simplifying your lifestyle can result in substantial savings, as you shift from spending on luxuries to investing in experiences and essentials. Financial freedom brings peace of mind and opens up opportunities, like traveling, pursuing hobbies, or even early retirement–perhaps even starting that homestead you’ve always wanted.

Even though we’d scaled back our spending years ago and focused more on experiences and travel, there was still one big lesson life had in mind to send our way. We learned the full depth of how my career was holding us back when Covid hit and the art and paint party business I’d built for seven years closed over night. At first we thought the financial hit was going to be devastating to our family, but in reality it wasn’t. In fact, that ended up being far from the truth.

Within a year the peace that had settled on our home without the constant chaos of that business turned out to be one of our greatest blessings we’d ever had, so when the world opened up and everyone went back to work, we opted to keep me at home full time attending to things that mattered to us. We decided that my being home, growing and preserving food and building our homestead, would be a better way to honor how we truly wanted to live in this world.

Single-Income Family

The biggest surprise was that my income was never missed. Cooking at home replaced expensive restaurant food we’d been grabbing “on the run.” Having me home allowed me to do many things that a lack of free time forced us to pay others to do in the past. No longer needing a special wardrobe for work, frequent hair cuts, artsy acrylic nails, an SUV capable of handling all my gear, business insurances, and a host of other expenses associated with maintaining my former lifestyle took care of the missing income.

It turned out the “profit” I’d been making had been eaten up by all of these things without us ever realizing it. I’ll soon be adding a more detailed post to address how to live on one income. Maybe you can, or maybe your current situation won’t allow it, but perhaps with a few tweaks you can do more than you imagined? We’ll try to find out.

4. Improved Relationships

A simple life allows for deeper connections with people. By prioritizing relationships over material possessions, you can invest time and energy into nurturing meaningful interactions with family and friends. For us, that meant that just like I had with our daughters, I could homeschool my grandson and spend more time with my extended family. Quality time becomes a standard, not an exception, fostering a sense of family, community, and belonging.

We found we suddenly had time again for get-togethers with friends and for reincorporating our beloved game nights into the mix. And when someone needed one of us to help in any way, we were free to go to them. No meaningless, frivolous, or soul-sucking commitments held us back from being there for those we love.

5. Less Stress, More Joy

Clutter and Chaos

Clutter and chaos in our lives often leads to stress and anxiety. You don’t have to leave your job. Just the act of simplifying your surroundings and routines can create an incredibly calming environment. As you reduce the mental load of managing excess tasks and items, you’ll likely find a new joy in the ordinary and an increased sense of peace.

Getting rid of larger items can reduce maintenance expenses, insurance, and worries about things like theft or accidents that might take those items away. For a long time, we went without a second car. Most things I’d previously needed mine for I could do at night. I rented one when I needed one for daytime doctor appointments and other necessities, saving us tens of thousands of dollars a year. And when my husband’s work contract came up for renegotiation, we included a company vehicle into the mix (in lieu of a raise). Now he has use of a company vehicle for work (that they pay for and maintain), and I have a car at home that will last far longer because I’ve acclimated to minimal use of it.

The Joy of Donating

There is also the joy that comes from clearing out the clutter and giving smaller, excess possessions away. Our local community has a “Free Group” on Facebook just for that purpose. (I’m told that most communities do.) If you still use Facebook, you need only to search your town or city’s name and the word “free” to find them. Alternatively you can utilize Freecycle.com. Your community will have a page there as well. We have used both with success.

Every six months or so, we take a sweep of our home, garage, greenhouse, and sheds to see what items we might be ready to part with that someone else might use better. There’s always someone in need. (Update: One of the things I’ve left behind since I first wrote this post is Facebook itself. I’ve found that my life is far more joyful without that particular social media resource involved and our relationships have gone back to in-person interactions rather than superficial internet-based chatter. But we still use the free sites, only we now have our daughter post these items using her profile instead. There’s always a way!)

6. Self-sustainable Living

A simpler lifestyle often goes hand-in-hand with sustainability. By consuming less, recycling more, and choosing environmentally friendly products, you contribute to the well-being of our planet. This alignment with eco-conscious living not only benefits the Earth but also instills a sense of responsibility and purpose, not to mention a connection with the Universe that feels deeper and more meaningful.

Self-sustainability became a priority for me after food and necessities became hard to find during Covid. I’d always been a gardener, but I knew it was time to expand my efforts. Now there is nothing I love more than gardening and tending to my new orchards and having shelves full of perfectly-preserved jars of clean, organic food for my family. When I utilize this hobby that gives me great peace and connection to the earth and incorporate year-round gardening methods, I can replace most of the vegetables and about 50% of the fruit that I used to shop for. And knowing that I’m using organic, regenerative methods of doing so that help the earth while helping my family is a win-win-win for me.

7. Time for What Matters

One of the greatest benefits of simple living is reclaiming your time. With fewer possessions to manage and fewer superficial commitments (that often lead to feelings of resentment), you can dedicate more hours to activities that enrich your life—whether that’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing personal passions, or simply enjoying a moment of solitude. What have you always wanted to try? Now’s the time.

8. Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Simplicity encourages introspection and self-awareness. Free from the noise of modern distractions, you have more room to explore your values, beliefs, and desires. This journey of self-discovery can lead to significant personal growth, greater autonomy, and a life aligned with your true witchy self.

Getting Started with Simple Living

Beginning this journey doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small by decluttering your living space or reassessing your daily commitments. Gradually implement changes—like prioritizing experiences over things or practicing mindfulness—and pay attention to how these adjustments improve your well-being.

Choosing to live simply is about much more than minimizing your possessions; it’s about maximizing your life. With enhanced focus, financial freedom, improved relationships, and a sustainable approach, a simpler life offers tremendous benefits that lead to authentic happiness and fulfillment. Take the leap—and discover the profound depth and satisfaction that comes from embracing simplicity.