Habits that reveal you genuinely appreciate the simple life

Life can be complicated and at times, chaotic. But it doesn’t have to be.

Sure, the hustle is part of the process. But when you always find yourself rushing from one activity to the next without taking time to enjoy what’s in front of you, it’s a recipe for stress and burnout.

The concept of a simple life is constantly evolving. Is it about contentment? Slowing down? Worrying less?

It’s a mix of all these.

At the heart of simple living is focusing on the things that matter most to you — those that add the most value and joy — and letting go of those that don’t serve you.

If you’re wondering whether you’re on the right path to living a simpler, healthier, and happier life, this article’s for you.

Here are some of the habits that reveal you genuinely appreciate the simple life.

1) You practice gratitude

Do you take a moment every day to be thankful for all the small and big things? Maybe you keep a gratitude journal to remember how much you’re grateful for your daily experiences.

If so, then it shows that you love the simple life.

Instead of focusing on everything that you lack, you choose to be grateful for all the good things you have.

And it doesn’t stop there: You don’t waste your time comparing yourself to other people. You know that life is not about competing with others.

You understand that you can’t always have everything that you desire, and that’s okay.

You believe that everyone is running their own race. You strive to let go of jealousy and envy to protect your peace of mind.

2) You live in the moment

It’s not that easy to be present all the time, especially when you’re always rushing to catch up or thinking about what to do next.

But striving to live in the here and now is key to living a simple life. You do it when you….

• Breathe deeply and allow your mind and body to relax. You tune into your body’s signals about how you’re feeling.
• Eat slowly and savor your meals.
• Stop multitasking and focus on whatever task you’re doing. You find joy in activities like cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, and the like.
• Engage in mindful practices like meditation, journaling, or yoga.
• Don’t take anything for granted.

3) You prioritize cultivating relationships

Think about this for a minute: If you’re asked to rank the things that are most important to you, what will be on top of your list?

Do you value building deep, meaningful relationships with people you care about?

When you spend most of your time with family, friends, and loved ones, it shows an appreciation for the simple life.

Nothing compares to the fulfillment that comes from treasuring and fostering relationships with the people who matter most.

You do your best to show up for people you care about — from opening your mind and heart to giving them your all-out support and love.

4) You embrace a minimalist lifestyle

Ever heard of the KonMari Method?

Tidying expert Marie Kondo sparked a cultural phenomenon when she showed the world how decluttering empowers you to choose joy and simplicity.

If you’re a person who appreciates the simple life, you’re all about downsizing and decluttering.

You seek quality over quantity in all things because you want to enjoy the freedom that comes with having fewer material possessions. You’re less impulsive and more intentional.

And it gets better: You organize all your things in a way that honors their purpose in your life.

5) You value experiences more than material things

When it comes to living a simple, happy life, you’ve got to be more discerning with how you spend your energy, time, and money.

And one of the best ways to invest in yourself is to spend money on wonderful experiences.

Here’s the deal: Money and material things can only provide us with temporary happiness.

If there’s anything that brings true joy, it’s seldom about stuff and usually about experiences.

As a person who appreciates the simple life, you enrich it with knowledge and experiences that leave you feeling happy, peaceful, and free.

6) You intentionally set time to unplug

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. In a hyper-digital world, it’s never easy to stay away from technology that makes our lives easier and better.

But if you truly want to appreciate a simple life, you need to be deliberate about setting boundaries with screens and disconnecting from your devices.

Many studies have shown that time away from technology has huge benefits for your health and well-being.

Occasionally turning off your phone and taking social media holidays help you quiet your mind and reduce the harmful effects of technology addiction.

Not only does this make you feel better, but it also empowers you to be present and focus on what matters in the real world.

7) You’re not afraid to say ‘no’

Saying no is a powerful act that helps you lead a simpler, more peaceful life.

It comes with the realization that you just can’t do everything and be everything to everyone. If you do, you’ll only end up exhausted, stressed, and burned out.

In other words, you don’t overcommit. You only say ‘yes’ when you mean it, and not just because you want to please someone else.

Setting boundaries with people in your life can be a challenge, but you practice it because you’re intentional about how you spend your time and energy.

8) You reconnect with nature

There’s nothing quite like the sense of awe and peace that nature brings.

Letting your surroundings inspire you is one of the surefire ways to appreciate the simple life.

It can be something as easy as feeling the sun on your skin, breathing in that fresh air, seeing a flower garden in full bloom, or taking a walk in the park.

Or it can be something as breathtaking and exciting as observing that sunset or basking in the waves.

Spending time outdoors makes you appreciate where you are in a moment, and revel in nature’s beauty and wonder.

9) You make time for self-reflection

Consider this: When was the last time you stopped to truly observe what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling?

Appreciating the simple life can also mean checking in with yourself every day, and looking at yourself with newfound curiosity and interest.

You ask yourself questions like: “Why do I feel this way?” or “Do my actions align with my values?”

You do this when you acknowledge your genuine thoughts and emotions, learn more about your thought processes, and find ways to derive meaning and joy in life.

10) You take care of yourself

Taking “Me Time” seriously is crucial to simplifying your life.

This means slowing down and doing anything that makes you feel happy and relaxed — whether that’s eating healthily, reading a new book, treating yourself to a spa, going out with friends, etc.

Sometimes, taking care of yourself also means doing nothing. You can just sit still, close your eyes, and let your mind wander.

Remember, it’s all about doing things that benefit your mind, body, and soul. At the end of the day, it’s the simple things that count.