My ABC of Simple Natural Living

My ABC of Simple Natural Living? It’s all about getting back to basics. Hubby and I strive for simplicity. We have found greater peace and tranquillity through less clutter and excess, and debt-free living. We also seek to live more naturally because it’s good for us. And as Nonni to nine grandchildren, we want to leave a better world. This guide keeps on track, and maybe it will help you too!

It starts with 26 giant steps. But each one is broken down into baby steps that are simple to take. Giant leaps can set a pace that’s hard to keep up with. But baby steps? Well, even toddlers manage those, don’t they?

I am unable to implement all of these, and likely you will be too. But they are goals I aspire to. And we all have different priorities and lifestyles. So keep in mind that these are suggestions. Choose the ones that work for you, your family, and your life.

Baby steps of Simple Living

My baby steps? They start with learning the ABCs!

💵 AVOID NEEDLESS EXPENSE(S): Adjust thermostats – Airdry laundry – Buy secondhand & vintage – Cancel subscriptions (magazines, cable TV, Netflix, ecc.) – Eat out less – Maintain your stuff – Pack lunch for work – Shop sales – Think thrift – Turn off lights & taps immediately

💲 BUDGET WISELY: Avoid credit – Build up your savings – Buy used – Comparison shopping – Don’t spend more than you earn – Plan for gifts & giving – Save for retirement – Spend less – Track your spending – Wait for sales

🧴 CONSUME RESPONSIBLY: Carry a water bottle – Minimize food waste – Replace only when broken – Shop locally – Use up food, leftovers & products

⬇️ DECLUTTER & DOWNSIZE: Declutter unused or superfluous items (first large stuff, then small item in your storage areas) – Downsize home & car(s) – Throw away, donate, give away or sell

🥕 EAT HEALTHY: Buy local seasonal foods – Healthy snacks – More fruit & vegetables – Less sugar, preservatives, fatty foods & sodium – Plenty of water

🥤 FEWER SINGLE-USE PRODUCTS: Buy in bulk – Get reusable party decorations – Use reusable containers, dishes, bags & wraps

🪴 GREEN YOUR LIFE & HOME: Avoid excess food packaging – Become more self-sufficient – Buy used & vintage Consume natural products – Fix leaks – Get energy-efficient appliances – Install a rain barrel – Insulate & seal your home – Reduce water & electricity use – Shop locally – Use reusable containers

🌿 HEAL NATURALLY: Eat a balanced diet – Exercise regularly – Get enough sleep – Spend time in the sunlight – Stay hydrated – Switch to herbal & natural remedies – Walk, walk, walk

👗 INVENT A 333 WARDROBE: With the Project 333™ minimalist fashion challenge that invites you to dress with 33 items or less for 3 months.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ JUMP INTO ACTIVITY: Do yard work – Engage in sports – Get exercise – Plant a garden – Take the stairs – Walk and talk (phone calls) – Walk whenever possible

🎓 KNOW-HOW & ABILITIES: Acquire new skills & knowledge – Dig into the Bible for God’s wisdom – Get DIY & repair skills – Learn to cook or new recipes – Master an instrument- Never stop learning – Plant a garden – Learn a foreign language – Take some classes

⏰ LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR TIME: Learn to say no – Prioritise – Reduce your commitments – Stop procrastinating – Tackle smallest tasks first – Use an agenda

🤗 MORE OF WHAT MATTERS: Helping others – More time with God, family, church, friends & others – Volunteering

💳 NO MORE DEBT: Cancel credit cards or pay them off monthly – Pay off old debts – Save up & purchase with cash

🗂️ ORGANIZE: Declutter first, then organize – Have a place for everything – Put things in place immediately

🍇 PRODUCE YOUR OWN: Cook at home – DIY – Fix things yourself – Grow & preserve your own food – Learn to get by – Make do

📖 QUIETEN YOUR SOUL: Learn to be still – Meditate on Scripture – Pray – Read your Bible – Spend time in nature – Try journaling

♻️ RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE, RE-PURPOSE: Decorate with items from nature – Find new uses for things – Paperless billing & statements – Opt for reusable containers – Start composting – Tear up old tshirts for cleaning rags

🔄 SHARE, EXCHANGE & BORROW GOODS & SERVICES: Share/borrow goods: Books – DVDs – Clothing – Equipment – Appliances – Tools – Toys – Etc. — Exchange services: Babysitting – Building – Haircuts – Cleaning – Tax returns – Tutoring – etc. (e.g. Fix someone’s plumbing in exchange for a free haircut.)

😊 TAKE A BREATH, SLOW DOWN & ENJOY LIFE: Fewer selfies – Find a hobby – Greater leisure time – More rest & relaxation – Read more – Try slow living

💻 UNPLUG FROM TV & INTERNET: Reduce screen time (unfollow/ unsubscribe from unproductive emails, websites, podcasts, etc.) — Use social media more sparingly or wisely

🙏 VALUE CONTENTMENT: Conquer the continual desire for more – Cultivate gratitude – Realize when you have “enough”

👷‍♂️ WORK LESS OR MORE WISELY: Delegate tasks – Minimize distractions – Schedule appointments together – Smart working – Work part-time

🛍️ eXIT MATERIALISM & CONSUMERISM: Avoid stores & shopping sites – Buy less – Find free Ebooks & movies – Quit impulse buying – Shop less – Skip advertising

🎨 YES—TO CREATIVITY: Blog – Create websites – Dance – Draw/Paint – Make your family tree – Photography – Poetry – Produce your own films – Write

🔎 ZOOM IN ON CHEAP OR FREE EXPERIENCES: Bike rides – Board/card games – Camping – Candlelight dinners – Flea & farmers’ markets – Free events, exhibitions & tours (museums, theatres, etc.) – Free zoo days – Homeexchange.com holidays (home exchanging holidays) – Libraries – Listening to music – Parks, mountains, beaches – Picnics – Puzzles – Workaway.info (work vacations, volunteering, house sitting)

Now I know my ABC’s, and I want to do all these!

And how about you?

In a world overflowing with chemicals and plastics, living naturally is a huge challenge. And in our busy and consumerist society, living simply is becoming increasingly difficult!

But you can do it. Just take some baby steps and get started!

LEGGI IN ITALIANO →

IMAGES: Keyboard | ABC