Simple, simplicity, simpler, simplify…
I freakin’ love the word and what it stands for.
I started my Living Lightly journey to be more sustainable, but I kept going because I got hooked on the simplicity that came with it.
But in a world that glorifies busyness and more, simplifying can feel like swimming against the tide. It’s easy to assume ‘simple’ means less— but I’ve found it’s actually about making space for more of what truly matters.
That’s where my adventures in simplicity began—finding ways to strip back the noise and focus on what really counts.
Creating space:
I’m all for having less stuff —not in a minimalist, everything-must-be-white kind of way, but because it just makes life easier. Less clutter means fewer decisions, less stress, and more time for the good stuff.
A pared back wardrobe with clothes I actually love? Way less hassle.
A home that isn’t overflowing? Feels calmer.
But stuff creeps in, life gets messy, and every now and then, I have to reset. I’ve learnt less isn't a destination -it’s about making space for what matters and letting go of what doesn’t.
Connection:
Simplicity isn’t just about what we own; it’s about how we connect. I'm all about fostering micro-doses of connection - tiny acts that can slide into the busyness of everyday life. Walking barefoot on the grass when I go to grab the washing. Chatting to neighbours over the fence. Looking up at the sky or taking the time to brew a proper cup of tea…
We talk about the need to ‘unplug,’ but what if we thought of it as plugging into what truly matters?
An alternative to consumption:
I used to think I could buy my way to convenience, that buying things would somehow magically make life easier. But in reality, it just meant more decisions, more clutter, more money spent, and more impact on the planet.
So I rethought my approach to consumption. I now choose local, seasonal food instead of battling through 35,000 supermarket choices. I repair, buy second-hand, and borrow instead of constantly clicking ‘add to cart.’
Life by design:
For years, my husband and I worked corporate jobs, earning more but somehow spending more, too. It was a strangely predictable line graph—one that felt normal, expected, even addictive. But something didn’t sit right. So we took time out to figure out what kind of life we actually wanted—and how much we really needed to make it happen. We moved to a small house in a small town, and that choice helped us reverse engineer a life that actually fits our values. I’m not saying everyone should pack up and move towns or live in a tiny house. But I do think it’s worth asking: instead of constantly figuring out how to earn more, what if we asked how much is enough?
Gratitude:
I know I live a pretty damn privileged life. But when we’re bombarded with messages telling us we aren’t enough and don’t have enough, it’s easy to forget that. A trillion-dollar marketing industry thrives on making us feel like we need more. One of the simplest ways I counteract that? Writing down three things I’m grateful for every day. It certainly doesn’t fix everything, but it helps ground me in the simplicity of enough.
Simplicity is a practice:
I don’t have this simplicity thing nailed. I still feel the pull of comparison, the itch for the latest shiny thing. But that pull is getting weaker and the urge to consume is easier to put into perspective. And reconnecting with what truly matters? That just keeps feeling better and better.
Simplicity isn’t about deprivation. It’s about intention. When we stop chasing more and start appreciating enough, life feels lighter. There’s less clutter, fewer decisions, and more space for what really matters.
And the best part? The things that make life simpler often make life better. And they often happen to be better for the planet, too.
