When you picture simple living, what comes to mind?
Probably a countryside cottage, a vegetable patch, and no neighbours for miles. Maybe there’s a loaf of sourdough cooling on a rustic wooden table, and not a single to-do list in sight.
It’s idyllic. It’s peaceful.
It’s also wildly out of reach for most people.
That version of simple living—the one the Instagram algorithm keeps pushing—is a very narrow one. It often involves a lot of money, a lot of land, and the privilege of being able to step away from the pressures of everyday life.
What you don’t see in those carefully curated photographs is the isolation, the unreliable Wi-Fi, the long drives just to buy essentials, and the complete lack of takeaway options. Not to mention the significant cost of buying that so-called “humble” countryside home.
Simple living has been mis-sold as a luxury lifestyle choice.
The truth is: You don’t need to live off-grid, raise chickens, or escape to the middle of nowhere to live simply. You don’t need an all-white cabin, a capsule wardrobe, or a house with only the bare essentials.
Simple living isn’t about where you live, how much you earn, or how aesthetic your home is. It’s not about decluttering everything you own or believing a pared-back life means no comfort, no keepsakes, and definitely no TV.
Simple living is a way of approaching life with more clarity and less excess. And that is absolutely possible for anyone, whether you’re living in an isolated cottage, a semi-detached house, or an apartment with neighbours on all sides.
It’s time to break free from the picture-perfect Instagram fantasy of simple living, and focus on what it actually means.
What Is Simple Living?
Simple living is about making intentional choices that bring balance and meaning to everyday life. It means prioritising quality over quantity, embracing presence instead of pressure, and seeking clarity rather than chaos.
Simple living is not about following trends or adhering to a strict minimalist checklist; it’s about creating a lifestyle that reflects your personal values and needs—not someone else's.
By focusing on what matters the most to you, simple living helps reduce stress, declutter your space and mind, and cultivate a sense of calm and purpose in your life, no matter where you live or what your circumstances are.
Simple living invites us to ask:
- What do I truly need?
- What do I genuinely enjoy?
- What can I let go of—physically, mentally, emotionally—that’s just taking up space?
What Simple Living Isn’t
There’s a lot of conflicting opinions about what simple living should look like. From social media feeds filled with perfectly curated minimalist homes to influencers preaching extreme decluttering, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or like you’re not “doing it right.”
But simple living isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula or a strict set of rules to follow. It’s much more personal and flexible than the perfect images online suggest. So let’s cut through the noise and clear up some common misconceptions about what simple living really means—and what it absolutely doesn’t.
It’s not about deprivation
You don’t have to live with one fork and a single black turtleneck to qualify. Simple living isn’t punishment. It’s not about seeing how little you can survive on—it’s about curating a life that feels full without being cluttered.
You don’t need to live life with just one plate and a single set of cutlery to qualify. Simple living isn’t a punishment or a challenge to see how little you can own. It’s about curating a life that feels full and meaningful—without the excess clutter.
It’s not aesthetic minimalism
Clean, uncluttered spaces can be calming. But simple living isn't about matching furniture, neutral tones, or following Pinterest trends. You don’t need to give up colour, sentimental items, or your personality to live simply.
Simple living is a mindset—a conscious choice to focus on what matters by letting go of what doesn’t—rather than a particular aesthetic. It’s about creating a lifestyle that supports your wellbeing and values, not someone else’s idea of “minimalism” or “simple.”
It’s not just for people with money or time
Contrary to popular belief, simple living isn’t a luxury only for those with plenty of free time or a large bank balance. It’s about finding smarter, more intentional ways to live within whatever circumstances life brings—whether that means navigating a busy city schedule, raising a family, or managing a tight budget.
Simple living often saves time, money, and energy. By focusing on what matters and letting go of what doesn’t, it helps reduce overwhelm, cut unnecessary expenses, and free up mental space—no matter your income, schedule, or lifestyle.
It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Simple living looks different for everyone. What feels peaceful and manageable to one person might feel like chaos to another—and that’s perfectly okay. It's not a competition and there's no gold star for who can declutter the fastest or own the fewest things.
The point of simple living is creating a lifestyle that feels authentic and sustainable for you, wherever you are right now. It’s about tuning into your own needs, values, and priorities—not conforming to someone else’s rules or chasing an idealised version of simplicity.
What Simple Living Is
Simple living is often misunderstood. It’s been framed as a lifestyle of sacrifice—restriction, rigid rules, and giving up everything that brings joy. But that’s not it at all.
Simple living isn’t about deprivation or doing less just for the sake of it. It’s about creating space—space in your home, your schedule, and your mind—for what actually matters. So you can live more intentionally, and enjoy life more fully.
Simple living means making conscious choices. It’s focusing on the people, routines, and values that bring meaning. Prioritising what supports your wellbeing and letting go of what doesn’t. It’s about living in a way that feels right for you—not what someone else says your life should look like.
It’s about clarity and calm
Simple living creates breathing room—in your home, your routine, and your headspace. When your home isn’t overflowing with stuff, your schedule isn’t jam-packed, and your to-do list feels manageable, life feels lighter. You’re able to focus on what really matters and feel more like yourself in the process. It’s about quieting the noise so you can hear what really deserves your attention.
It’s about conscious choices
Living simply means being more intentional with how you spend your time, energy, and money. It’s about choosing what adds value and letting go of what doesn’t. That might mean shopping less often (and more mindfully), saying no without guilt, or slowing down before burnout hits. It’s less about doing everything perfectly, and more about doing what feels right for you.
It’s about enough
Simple living is about finding balance. Not too much. Not too little. Just enough. Enough stuff to support your lifestyle. Enough plans to keep you energised, not exhausted. Enough space to breathe, reset, and feel at ease. Simple living is about recognising that “more” isn’t always “better”—and that “enough” is different for everyone.
It’s about freedom
Simple living offers freedom: freedom from the clutter that crowds your space. From the pressure to keep up. From chasing goals you didn't even set. Simple living gives you the space to live with intention, on your own terms, not by someone else’s checklist.
Where To Start With Simple Living?
Start small. Really small. There’s no need to overhaul your life overnight by decluttering all your possessions or cancelling every plan. Simple living isn’t about making dramatic or impulsive decisions. It’s about steady, thoughtful shifts. Quiet, consistent changes that make everyday life feel a little easier, a little calmer, and a lot more intentional.
Ask yourself: What do I want more of? And how can I make space for it?
- Prioritise what brings you joy.
- Say no to things that drains your energy.
- Have a weekend with zero plans.
- Swap some screen time for more fulfilling activities.
- Declutter one small area—just one drawer or shelf.
- Unsubscribe from emails you never open.
Simple living isn’t some unattainable dream reserved for the privileged few. It’s a mindset and a practice anyone can adopt—making small, intentional changes that bring more calm, clarity, and freedom into everyday life.
Forget chasing perfection or extreme minimalism. Simple living is about creating a life that feels right for you, wherever you are and whatever you’ve got. It’s not about doing less just for the sake of it, it’s about making room for what really matters.