Signora Sheila

My ABC’s of Simple Natural Living? It’s all about getting back to basics. Hubby and I strive for simplicity. We have found greater peace and tranquility through less clutter, less excess, and living debt-free.

We’re also trying to live more naturally because it’s good for us, and we want to leave a better world for our 9 grandchildren. This guide keeps us 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 easy to take. Giant leaps can set a pace that’s hard to keep up with. But baby steps? Well, even toddlers can do them, can’t they?

I may not be able to achieve all of them, and you probably won’t either. But they are goals that I strive for. And we all have different priorities and lifestyles. So remember, these are suggestions. Pick the ones that work for you, your family, and your life.

Simple Living baby steps

My Baby Steps? They start with learning your ABC’s!

💵 AVOID UNNECESSARY EXPENSES:
Adjust thermostats – Air dry clothes – Buy used – Cancel subscriptions – Eat out less – Live frugally – Maintain your stuff – Shop sales – Bring lunch to work – Turn off lights & faucets

💲 BUDGET WISELY:
Avoid Credit – Comparison Shopping – Have a Savings Account – Maintain an Emergency Fund – Plan for Gifts & Donations – Save for Retirement – Spend Less – Track Your Spending – Wait for Sales

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

⬇️ DECLUTTER & DOWNSIZE:
Declutter unneeded items – Downsize home & vehicles – Throw away, donate, give away or sell

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

🥤 FEWER DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS:
Buy in bulk – Reusable containers, utensils, bags & wraps – Reusable party decorations

🪴 GREEN YOUR LIFE & HOME:
Energy efficient appliances – Fix leaks – Get a rain barrel – Less packaging – Natural products – Reduce consumption – Shop locally – Weatherize your home

🌿 HEAL NATURALLY:
Drink more water – Eat a balanced diet – Get enough sleep – Get sunlight -Herbal & natural remedies – Exercise regularly – Walk, walk, walk

👗 INVENT A 333 WARDROBE:
With Project 333™ and learn how to dress with 33 items or less for each 3 month season.

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ JUMP INTO ACTIVITY:
Gardening – Exercising – Planting a garden – Taking the stairs – Walking and talking (phone calls) – Walking whenever possible

🎓 KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
Bible knowledge – Continue learning – Cooking skills – DIY & repair skills – Learn a foreign language – Plant a garden – Study music – Take classes

⏰ LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR TIME:
Learn to say no – Prioritize – Reduce commitments – Start with the smallest tasks – Stop procrastinating – Use an agenda

🤗 MORE OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT:
Help others – Pray more – Spend more time with God & others – Volunteer

💳 NO MORE DEBT:
Buy with cash – No credit cards – Pay off debt – Save money

🗂️ ORGANIZE:
Declutter 1st then organize – A place for everything – Put things away right away

🍇 PRODUCE YOUR OWN:
Cook at home – Do it yourself – Live with less – Grow & preserve food – Learn to get by – Live within your means – Make do – Repair things yourself

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

♻️ RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE, REPURPOSE:
Reusable containers – Decorations from nature – Invent new uses for things – Old T-shirts for rags – Paperless billing & statements – Start composting

🔄 SHARE, EXCHANGE & BORROW GOODS & SERVICES:
Share/borrow goods – books, equipment, appliances, tools, toys, etc;
Exchange services – babysitting, construction, haircuts, cleaning, tax preparation, tutoring, etc.

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

💻 UNPLUG FROM TV & INTERNET:
Less social media – Reduce screen time – Unfollow/unsubscribe

🙏 VALUE CONTENTMENT:
Be content with “enough” – Cultivate gratitude – Give thanks – Fight the desire for more

👷‍♂️ WORK LESS OR WORK SMARTER:
All appointments on same day – Delegate tasks – Minimize distractions – Organize your tasks – Try smart working – Work part-time

🛍️ eXIT MATERIALISM & CONSUMERISM:
Avoid stores & online shops – Buy less – Free Ebooks & movies – No impulse buying – Shop less – Skip advertising

🎨 YES—TO CREATIVITY:
Blogging – Making Movies – Dancing – Doing Art – Creating a Family Tree – Planning a Wedding – Taking Pictures – Writing a Story – Writing Poetry

🔎 ZOOM IN ON CHEAP OR FREE EXPERIENCES:
Beach days – Biking – Camping – Candlelight dinners – Flea markets – Free concerts & exhibitions- Free zoo days – Home-exchange holidays – Libraries – Museums – Music – Nature walks – Picnics – Puzzles – Work vacations (volunteer, housesit)

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

In a world flooded with chemicals and plastics, living naturally is a huge challenge. And in our busy and consumerist society, living simply is getting harder and harder!

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

📷 Images are mine