I'm asking this here because i know i won't get answers like "life's shitty deal with it". I don't believe life is shitty inherently. I believe that we play a large part in our sufferings and I'm here to seek perspectives on jealousy and how you all deal with it.

With that being said, I'm almost an adult (creepy older men dms will not be answered) that's very jealous of other people who don't feel the urge to people please, are secure in themselves, get good grades and nice trips, love themselves and are all disciplined and have the perfect life going with their perfect bodies. No, seriously. I'm not saying I'll not be successful but how will I deal with other people's successes for the rest of my life? I agree that I'm a little too blunt on this post because I'm desperate to learn how to stay in my lane and water my growth while wishing the best for others. Maybe it's because I'm not watering myself enough (which I'm was not doing at all prior to this post) which is the root cause of my jealousy? I've decided to be comfortable discussing jealousy.

And found it too good not to share it.

As a lover of simple living and the joys of reading, I wanted to share a novel I just finished reading. It's called, This Is Happiness by Niall Williams. The story moves slowly, but gracefully, and it's a full of heart. It's a quiet tale of a specific set of people at a set time in history in a village of Ireland. I'm not always a fan of reads like this, but it avoids over-sentimentality while still being quite touching.

It's kind of hard to describe, but if you're looking for a slow burn of a story, and to get away from the current hubbub of terrible news (US politics, etc), I can't recommend this enough. Cheers and enjoy!

Mine is my horse. I’m in the process of simplifying other aspects of my life - hobbies, finances, material possessions, social plans, daily routine, self care, etc. But I’ve owned my horse for 3 years and although he’s family and I adore him, he’s also an accident prone money pit who, at times, adds significant stress to my life. I’ve accepted that the extra time, energy, and money I’ve saved by simplifying other aspects of my life are inevitably funneled towards him. Owning him is not simple by any definition, but he brings me joy and makes me think that not everything is worth cutting out for the sake of living as stress-free as possible.

I am 29F working full time job. I have a 3 months old, both my husband and i work full time job I am quite stressed out, thinking about how much I should save up to send my child to good schools. We are living comfortably at the moment, but I am definitely worried about the future that I can’t simply slow down

Im 37 and I realize I don't get much fullfillment from material stuff or money spent on expensive things. They give me a temporary high but eventually it becomes fleeting. I swear I could live in a mansion, have sports cars, eat lavishly, buy expensive clothes and I'll still feel empty inside.

Not that I wouldn't want those things, its just that it won't complete me , I'll still have the same problems, and it will make think is this it? I just need my basic needs and I'll be fine. I think I need to find more meaning and other things that give me a purpose that has nothing to do with money.

Now I feel like I can concentrate on other things instead of chasing chasing money and expensive things because I know it won't complete me.

I never thought of it this way but it does make sense in some way. I always assumed when people lived in mansions or had a sports car that they were rich but they could have lots of debt. I guess what im saying is appearances are deceiving and just because you have a sports car doesn't mean you're well off.

I stumbled upon this group recently and thought, these are my people! Since getting laid off last February, I've been cultivating a simple life without even realizing it, mainly in an effort to cut back on expenses. I love living like this! I think it's a fun challenge to be more minimalist and less materialistic. I'd rather live simply and have FREEDOM than return to my soul-sucking job in the tech industry.

1. I'm becoming a SAHM for a few years so I did a closet purge of all my corporate clothes. I put together a "mom uniform" consisting of a few comfortable, versatile pieces and held onto a handful of nicer clothes for date nights and special occasions.

2. I cancelled subscriptions we hardly use on Apple TV. We're now down to just Netflix and Amazon Prime.

3. I went nuclear on social media (except YouTube and Reddit because they don't have the same addictive hold). I feel great - like a 10 ton elephant is off my chest - but still haven't shaken that impulse to grab my phone for a dopamine hit.

4. With social media gone, I'm trying to build more meaningful relationships. I go out with friends for coffee and invite people over to hang out more. I also distanced myself from some toxic people in my life that caused a lot of anxiety.

5. I've been reading more. My 8 yo daughter and I hit the library every week. I'm finding after years of social media use (I'm the MySpace gen so it's been deeply ingrained!) my attention span is garbage and I'm working on being able to sit and read without distraction.

6. I've always been a terrible cook and relied too heavily on takeout. In the past year we cook SO much more and have lazy meal options for nights when we're too tired to cook but don't want to order in. It's really made me appreciate the mindfulness of cooking.

Curious...

What are some other ways you've cultivated a minimal life and cut down on unnecessary expenses?

What do you like to do to fill the newfound free time you have?

I want to start an indoor garden in my apartment but I don't know where to start. I have no green thumbs and tend to kill any plant simply by looking at them.

I was looking at Gardyn and Rise but I don't feel like like spending $$$. Amazon has LetPot at a much lower price point but the

I also need to figure out to get to a water source near it.

Any recommendations?

Part of my simple living is gratitude. Im grateful for the sunny sky, the gentle breeze, the ocean that I can only see when the leaves drop, our financial security, our health, my kids and husband. Your turn :)

Last winter I had some majorly traumatic stuff happen to me at the start of December and it led me to read the book “Wintering” by Katherine May.

The main concept is that during times of turmoil, there’s wisdom to be found in slowing down and turning inward. Winter as a season provides a ton of metaphors for this practice.

For me, my season of “wintering” ended up aligning with actual winter in 2023. I got a major job promotion in March of 2024 and was forced out of my metaphorical and literal winter. It’s been go go go ever since. Personally, I’m excited for wintertime this year because while it’s the anniversary of some pretty traumatic stuff for me, it’s also giving me an excuse to slow down. Less social engagements, less expectations (once the holidays are over), and more of an excuse to be inside by myself.

How are you all feeling about winter? Do you find it’s easier to slow down this time during the year? What are some of your favorite wintertime slow living activities?

Hi,

I’m currently in a DevOps role in a large company. I make a good salary but seeking advice because I am feeling depressed, and I want more direction / a goal.

I am 29, I have 3 years of good work experience, and I purchased a house with my partner recently, and we have a mortgage.

I’m feeling trapped at the moment. I have my hobbies and goals personally - but I feel very tired and slow lately. I even have a lot of days off work this year but I still feel burnt out.

Currently my job is hybrid, I have to go in two days / week but there may be layoffs coming soon and the industry I’m in is extremely competitive.

I’m torn between doubling down on my skilled career path and staying within this field (or switching to software engineering, cyber). Getting a masters degree if I get laid off or studying alongside work.

And then alternatively, scrapping this whole thing and just going to do random part time jobs - like a yoga studio receptionist, dog walker, working as a cook, etc.

Option 1 seems hard to me right now. The economy is slowing and companies are requiring more and more. There’s sometimes 6 interviews before the job offer.

Option 2 sounds ideal, but I might be thinking too short term or I might be shooting myself in the foot. Most people I know would be disappointed in me and I would feel embarrassed. The part time jobs wouldn’t be what I would want to do forever probably(?) but I see them as giving me the freedom and time to figure out what to do. I could also maybe study for the MS during this work.

But I would probably be burning bridges at this company and disappointing a lot of people.

Any advice? I feel like I have to stick stuff out that I don’t like doing.

After living in a huge mess my entire life, I started decluttering last December. It really was a mindshift and I've learned a lot. I never realized how much I actually had, so I got rid of sooo much stuff and it actually feels really good. Plus, I got more critical and mindfull of my spending. It took me so much time and effort to declutter and I don't ever want to go back to having so much stuff.

I started a new job in September and went a little overboard. I don't feel bad about it, I guess it's a natural thing when you have more to spend. But 3 weeks ago I noticed I was getting greedy and it had to stop. That's not who I want to be. In fact: I suddenly wanted more space and get more stuff out of my house, so I've been working on that since then. Just this weekend, I donated 4 trashbags of clothes and linnen, cleaned out my pantry and I donated my curling iron. I'm just not someone who puts a lot of effort in hair and make-up. I'm sick and tired of consumerism and marketing companies telling me I need all this crap. I want to decide that for myself.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been reading about minimalism and watching tons of videos on YouTube. The idea of simplicity and less stress really appeals to me and I'm trying a few things, I just struggle with total silence. It feels good to have less stimuli, but at the same time it's awkward. I'm so used to always having tv, radio or music playing. Plus, I'm used to always having some form of occupation, whether it's working, swiping on my phone (which I'm trying to cut back), watching tv and anytime my hands are free crochet. It's my main hobby and my hands get restless when they're not doing anything. It's like I'm not capable of doing nothing and just sit in silence. Except at night of course, when I'm sleeping.

Any tips to handle this? To make it easier? I think the peace of mind and the rest would be good for me, but now it feels so forced.

Given that luxury goods typically offer higher build quality and unique materials, I’ve noticed that recent price increases have made some items seem less justifiable. For instance, men’s bespoke shoes have tripled in price over the past few years, now costing around GBP 800, with cobbler fees also rising to GBP 300. This has led me and my friends to question whether these luxury items are still worth it.

Obviously, I am not talking about the Balenciaga trash bag, or stuff that is meant just to display wealth, but actual high end products or services.

So, at these elevated prices, are luxury goods still worth the investment, and what factors, aside from price, become deal breakers?

hey folks, first post here! i’ve been working on simplifying my life and cutting out distractions, but managing my screen time has always been a struggle. i’ve tried a few apps, but most of them felt too intense, like they were forcing me to stay off my phone.then i tried out an app called zenze, and it’s actually helped me create a more balanced approach. it doesn’t completely lock me out, but instead gives gentle reminders to help me stay focused and intentional with my time. plus, it tracks my app usage, which has been super helpful in showing me where i was spending time that didn’t really add value to my day.just thought i’d share this with anyone else working on simplifying their digital life. has anyone found other tools that help them live more intentionally?

Ok so, I've simplified my life.

Now, I have so much free time. It's kind crazy. I work 25-30 hours a week, nights. So I have every day completely open. No kids, no pets, and - I live in my van.

I'm working with my therapist on ADHD stuff and wondering if this is contributing to my issue. I don't have a ton of motivation to do anything/can't find much that piques my interest enough to pursue it.

What do you do with all of your free time and do you ever feel like you have too much time on your hands?

I can spiral, by not doing much - become lethargic, feeling sedentary and then like the day has gotten away from me. It's not good on my mental health.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been really overwhelmed by climate anxiety lately. I feel this constant worry about my environmental impact, but honestly, I have no idea where to start or which behaviors of mine are the worst for the planet. I want to do better, but it’s tough to know what really makes a difference, and I feel like I’m just guessing sometimes.

Is there a centralized tool or app out there where I can actually track my impact and keep myself accountable? I’m looking for something that could help me measure and understand my footprint so I can make meaningful changes and see my progress over time.

Also, are there any communities or resources where I can learn more, connect with others who feel the same way, and get advice on how to live more sustainably? It would be great to hear from others dealing with this same anxiety and find a way to make a real difference.

Any suggestions or ideas are super welcome! Thanks in advance! 🌍🌱

My wife and I bought our first home at 25 2 years ago.We were so excited, but our location is in the middle of nowhere and we are surrounded by elderly people. We feel like we are losing out on our youth and are frustrated having to drive 50+ minutes to hit an Olive Garden.

We cannot afford to buy a home anywhere near a city, but we are frustrated because we want to be near one. Our current area feels dead and quiet.

We are mostly concerned about our finances - are we making a terrible financial decision by selling our home and choosing to rent in an apartment? We are already struggling with finances as is, and don’t want to put ourselves more in the hole.

tl;dr young couple in 20s bought a home in a remote area, wants more city life. Is it financially stupid to sell our home and rent an apartment in/near a city instead?

I dream of living a simple life, but my wife loves buying new things. What can I do?

I have finally managed to drag myself out of debt, and I never want to go back there again. I really can't stand the value society places on a credit score. I have a mortgage, but I want this to be my only debt until paid off in 15 years.

I don't intend on taking out a loan or credit card, and have a pot of savings (not huge) for emergencies that I add to every month. I am living simply and within my means, and I finally feel at some level of peace.

Does anyone else live like this? I'd love to just forget about the credit score!

I previously wrote a post on here saying that I quit my previous job in consulting and was going to retrain to be a personal trainer as fitness is my passion.

However, it turns out that being a full-time PT requires me to do a lot of sales work which I wouldn’t really enjoy. Also, the pay is poor for the first few months. I also don’t want income variability.

After some time to myself since quitting my job and having a bit of a summer break, I realised that in previous office jobs, I cared too much about my work. It only made me look like a troublemaker.

Since my reflections, I’ve got another full-time office job back in the kind of work I used to do before. Nothing too difficult, basically a lot of admin. I will just do what I’m told to do, do my hours, not stress myself, and take it easy if I don’t have that much work.

I love how it is so close to where I live. The commute is max 25 mins door-to-door. I can go for a nice walk by the river during my lunch break, I’m exploring having a short run during some lunchtimes. Good lunch options nearby as well. I turn up, do the best I can and I get my money that allows me to enjoy my life.

I’ll do PT on the side. But I love how this combination means I don’t have to worry about money, I don’t cause myself any stress, I just do what I do and it allows me to live life.

Sometimes we cause ourselves our own stresses. Sometimes we have to admit that we did have it quite good previously but we didn’t have the mindset to appreciate it.

I’m so glad I’m not ‘climbing up the ladder’. Especially where I live (UK), you pay so much in tax than stressful yourself for a higher paying job doesn’t result in more cash in the bank anyway.

During my time off I’ve realised that I don’t need that much to be happy. I just want to be able to buy the food I want to buy, have good times with my friends, and enjoy exercising.

That’s it. I may not be ‘super successful’ but I’m enjoying life now. I’m taking it easy.

Want to use as natural of products as possible and avoid buying cleaners I dont need to. I know vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, etc are great, but as a recovering contamination-OCD-haver I want to make sure I am cleaning properly. For example, I'll use vinegar as an all purpose cleaner but I’m not cleaning my dishes with vinegar.

Curious what things around the house eco-conscious peeps are use vinegar etc. for and what things you buy specific cleaners for. And how do you know when it's best to use vinegar vs hydrogen peroxide vs alcohol, etc? Also what do you use as a disinfectant?

Thanks in advance!

What is your experience of living without working full time? I personally have enough if I eat modestly, ride only a bicycle and use things for a long time

On Thursday, I saw that I had a few too many unread emails in my personal main Inbox (around 300). As I like to keep this number manageable, I sorted through them, deleting the majority and putting important ones in folders, and I discovered two interesting things when doing this:

1. There are "envelope" emails, which have links to external sites in them, but ultimately do not include original messages written to you. These envelope emails could be: subscription emails which are like physical leaflets or posters, feedback emails, IT emails like WeTransfer. When or if you look at them and click the links to external websites, you should then bin them or put them in folders, as otherwise they'll be taking up space in your main inbox.

2. I did this with my "envelope" emails, and now my inbox is barren and empty. Since revisiting it over the past 36 hrs, I've felt isolated and lonely. I think I've been building up a series of unread, but reassuring Subscription, Feedback and IT emails because it makes it seem as if more is going on in my life than there actually is. Also, I think I may have been relying on a nice three digit number in the Inbox for a dopamine rush, which is now gone.

Do any of you have advise on what I can do about feeling isolated and bored since sorting through my inbox?

Thanks in advance!

This is something I often think about, especially when I see any of the new rapidly advancing technology coming into the world - Do you think in the future there will be communities of people that draw the line at certain technology (like cell phones) and choose not to advance beyond that technologically? I guess you could call it sort of like a modern amish society.

It's probably been close to a week now but somebody posted a website where people were sending postcards to each other on the internet I really like postcard collecting and I'm really trying to get into finding unique postcards from other places If anyone knows what the website was that would be really cool

How many of you are pursuing simple living alongside a spouse, partner and/or children? Do they subscribe to the lifestyle as well? If they do not, how do you manage to live in a spirit of peace and unity?

• we have managed to convince our families to only buy gifts for kids under 18 which will save us nearly $1,000. Our budget for gifts is around $150 now! Yay!

• my partner and I don’t have much, if anything, we need and have learned from Christmas past not to buy one another things just to have gifts under the tree

• we are thrilled to decorate and enjoy the festivities but know better than to go buying a whole new buggy full of decor that is stored 11/12 of the year.

• we don’t often host, so we make a point to always take a dish and help clean up afterwards

• we only attend what we can manage & prioritize keeping our peace

• we are excited for the holidays, but are more excited for the slowness of what surrounds the holidays ~ winter hibernation and cozy living as homebodies

Happy Holidays everyone! Prioritize your peace this upcoming season 🦃🎄

I've been dealing with chronic pain for some years now and probably burnout from it as well. Today I was hanging the laundry and touched a new fleece I just bought and never worn. It's really soft and fuzzy. I felt this amazing warm feeling just thinking about wearing it. These are few and far apart, but man did it feel comforting. I hope you all get to experience it.