With the events of late around the world it gives one pause to think about how much life has changed. It reminds me about movement that’s been around a few years. It’s called the “simple movement”. The “simple movement”, also known as “simplicity” and “simple living” and sometimes as “minimalism”, is defined as:

A way of life that focuses on simplicity, intentionality and living life with regard to simplifying your activities, eating habits, home, emotions and thinking. Living simply looks different for each individual, depending on your own personal values and views on life and what is important to you.

There are many places you can find out more about this concept in print and electronic form as well as online videos, blogs and websites. You can find eBooks on the topic on WPL’s Digital Library with Download Library and PressReader.

One book based on simple living that stands out is the 2020 title Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge that Proves Less Really is so Much More by Courtney Carver. Carver’s book is available both as a print and an eBook. It examines one small aspect of this movement, specifically the clothing that you need rather than want and wear. It’s said through various research I’ve come across that we wear 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time. Carver’s book underlines this concept and also details how to embrace simplicity and live it daily. Carver explains how to “wear just 33 items for 3 months and get back all the joy you were missing while you were worrying what to wear”.

Of course, simplicity is more than just what you wear, it also focuses on “identifying what’s most important to you and suggests you eliminate everything else” says minimalist Leo Babauta. Courtney Carver agrees with Babauta’s concept in her first book Soulful Simplicity : How Living with Less Can Lead to so Much More. She explains in this book (also available as an eAudioBook) how a personal life event triggered her to change her life and live simply.

Of course, as I mentioned earlier, there are others that live this way and have their own books, websites and ideas to tackle simple living. What works for them they say may not work for you.

It’s interesting to look at these sources as they go further to provide examples of the building blocks to live this way which include but are not limited to what Leo Babauta of Zen Habits calls “the step-by-step guide to simplifying your life which follows a list of ideas to help you do this and that he says not every tip will work for everyone”.

Other popular resources for simple living are:

Cait Flanders : A Canadian author, podcaster and simple liver. Check out her book The Year of Less (available as a book, eBook and eAudiobook) where she describes how she changed her life and learned that less is more.

The Joy of Less : Francine Jay, another minimalist who has decluttered and simplified, provides insight and inspires others.

Marie Kondo : I’m sure many people have already heard of Kondo, an organizer and consultant who has brought the concept of “sparking joy” to many households. Check out her books (print, eBooks, eAudiobooks) here.

Peter Walsh : this Australian organizing guru has been on Oprah and helps organize people’s lives. He also has a few books (print, eBooks and eAudiobooks) and some interesting video clips from his public appearances and show.

Joshua Becker : an American author and philanthropist who has simplified his life and published these books (available in print, eBook and eAudiobook).

The Minimalists : two guys who downsized homes and quit their lucrative careers. They have published books on their ‘minimal’ life. They also have some great podcasts.

Mind Body Green : an interesting wellness and simple living website that covers a lot of things that go beyond simple living.

Break the Twitch : follow Anthony, a writer and filmmaker, living a simple life. He also provides nifty tips.

No Side Bar : a website on how to design a simple life, a real ‘go-to’ resource.

Melissa Camara Wilkins : Wilkins’ blog has strategies on how to create a simple life and provides insight on being you.

Simple Not Plain : a website with ideas on simple living along with a great ‘how to’ blog.

So, with all these thoughts about simple living it would make it seem like there are so many things to consider. That it is not so simple, but it really is. There isn’t that much to think about as author Laura Ingalls Wilder once said: “It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”

— Teresa N-P