Choosing quality over quantity means prioritizing a few key items over lots of most times mediocre things. It could refer to belongings like clothes or even friendships. For belongings, it also means that maybe you spend more money on a few really classic pieces that will last forever versus buying a bunch of cheap trendy pieces that you’ll get sick of fast or that won’t hold up as well.
For friendships, maybe you focus on the few people in your life who make you feel the best, who show up for you and love you unconditionally versus having tons of casual acquaintances in your feed. It’s about being picky with who we decide to use our energy/time and spend our money on.
Quality Clothing and the Benefits of Minimalism
To illustrate the concept of quality over quantity examples, I’ll take you back to the eighties. I was a kid growing up in eighties America and one of my best friends’ parents divorced and her mom moved her back to France. She would come to visit her dad every summer, so we were joined at the hip the whole time. I had tons of colorful clothes with hearts and stars and patterns that I’d change multiple times a day and she would always be in the same grey dress or white shirt. My bathing suits were two piece and glittery with ruffles. She had a blue speedo that she wore every summer.
When she got $200 one summer for helping out at her dad’s shop, she went out and bought a pair of black pants, a crisp white shirt, and a new sweater. My 13-year-old brain did not compute. But she said these are quality pieces that I can wear for years. The French mentality vs. my American teenage brain were on opposite sides. There is no right or wrong in this scenario but it just illustrates the difference in perspective. Years later she told me she was always jealous of all my fun and colorful clothes.
It always stuck in my brain even though for years I still continued to be a clothes and shoes horse, especially vintage fun and wacky pieces. For the last decade or so though, I have embraced a mostly minimalist approach to all of my belongings. Focusing on quality pieces, the ones that make me the happiest, and feel like a true expression of me. It just so happens that my color palette has somewhat muted and most days I prefer neutral tones because it’s easy and makes my mind feel calm.
In fact, I wrote an article on “8 Awesome Aspects of Creating a Capsule Wardrobe to Energize your Routine.” The article includes all of the benefits you can experience by simplifying and creating a minimalist wardrobe. And if you’re looking for some suggestions, this article from Durability Matters includes some of the clothing brands that I look to.
But my absolute favorite for saving up money on super quality, well-made, thoughtful, and gorgeous clothes is hands down always TOAST. I’m in love with everything they do and stand for. If you haven’t heard of them, please give them some love.
Here are some great quality over quantity quotes to inspire a shift in mindset:
Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles. – Steve Jobs
A bad investment is going for quantity over quality. If you’re trying to be careful with your wallet, especially with the economy right now, you have to choose staple pieces. – Christian Siriano
We measure genius by quality, not by quantity. – Wendell Philips
It is quality rather than quantity that matters. – Seneca
Quality means doing it right when no one is looking. – Henry Ford
Quality, not quantity, is my measure. – Douglas William Jerrold
Quality is the best business plan. – John Lasseter
Being busy does not make you better or more successful. Quality, not quantity is what is important. – Tamara Taggart
Quality over quantity relationships
Now back to the friend front, I have a few super important friends in my life that I nurture my relationship with above all others. These are friends who have seen some of my worst moments and say, well you think you’re the only one? Welcome to the club! They are the best people I know who have no objective other than loving each other and being there when we need to laugh, vent, cry or whatever is coming up in the moment.
I would rather have 1 amazing best friend than 100 decent regular friends. It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. – Connor Franta
You don’t need everyone to love you. Just a few good people. – Charity Barnum
For people who are introverts and highly sensitive, it can be very rewarding to focus on a few key relationships and it also helps to temper social anxiety and overwhelm. That’s not to say that you cut out friends or only have a few. I have tons of fabulous friends and acquaintances in my life who I love to spend time and connect with. And I’m so appreciative and grateful to have so many people in my life. I just know the few calls I’m gonna make more regularly because I just miss my few closest buds if too much time passes.
So if you’re wanting to save some money, save time and energy, feel less scattered, then it’s worth exploring how you’re prioritizing these things in your life. It’s a gentle reminder to explore your perspective and see if there’s a desire and space to make shifts in your thinking.
HINT: It’s energizing because it simplifies everything! There are so many reasons that a capsule wardrobe simplifies your daily routine and beyond. So, what are the benefits of a capsule wardrobe? How can creating a capsule wardrobe simplify your life?
What are the benefits of a capsule wardrobe?
Benefits of a capsule wardrobe include having to do less laundry (woohoo!!), simplifying your morning routine, combatting decision fatigue, having a smaller ecological footprint, creating more space in your home, and feeling good in everything you put on your body. For more on how to reduce decision fatigue as part of de-stressing your life, check out my post on living a stress-free life.
Now that you have the why, let’s get into what the heck a capsule wardrobe is and what are some tips and steps to create one.
What is a capsule wardrobe?
Capsule wardrobes are those that are intentionally simple and limited only to essential pieces and those that bring you joy, with the intent of simplifying your closet and reducing the number of decisions you have to make in the day.
For that reason, many capsule wardrobes focus on quality over quantity and slow fashion over fast fashion. It is common for capsule wardrobes to be filled with sustainable and ethical pieces, which is also an intentional choice.
But for some, creating a capsule wardrobe is solely for the purpose of simplifying their morning routine or because they have limited space (hello tiny homers and mini-apt dwellers).
How can I start a capsule wardrobe?
Like all good things, it is a process… So, remember you do not need to do it all in one afternoon.
This process is what has worked for me over the last decade or so that I have been trying my absolute best to maintain a capsule wardrobe. You’ll find tips, a checklist, and steps below to get you going on your way to creating your very own capsule wardrobe.
Capsule Wardrobe Tips
Why do I care about capsule wardrobes? Because creating one can simplify your life, make your morning routine more relaxing, create intentionality around what you buy and how you spend and reduces mindless fast fashion consumption. So, with that out of the way, here are a few best practices to keep in mind as you start on your capsule creation journey.
Basics and essentials should be neutral colors, whether black, grey, white, blue, or beige.
The color palette of your entire wardrobe should be based on a few key neutral colors and if you want as an option, a few more playful accent colors. This helps to make paring much easier and save you time overall.
You can add in a few items with stripes or different patterns, but my personal preference is to not go too crazy. IMHO, we tend to get sick of stripes and patterns faster than solids. 👕
Shoes should be multi-purpose, functional, and can still be super cute. The same rules go that you want shoes that you will truly wear every day, and limit “special occasion shoes,” like the heels you always pull out for weddings, as much as possible.
Jewelry is where I struggle the most because, for me, it tends to be more sentimental than clothes. I have jewelry from my great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mom, etc. Fortunately, I don’t have any jewelry from any Ex’s (which I’m sure my hubs is happy about). I tend to go through my jewelry a few times a year to let go of anything that either drags down my energy or I feel obligated to keep (and I would not otherwise wear it). On the plus side, jewelry takes up the least amounts of space, so if I’m lenient with myself on anything, it’s keeping pieces that I’m on the fence about or I don’t wear that often, but I love.
Do not buy anything new! At least while you’re trying out your new wardrobe for the first few months. There may be pieces that you feel like you just have to have. Like when I found said amazeballs deer beret. In the moment, did I think it was the most amazing creation ever to be seen on earth? Yes. When I see it now do I feel the same way? No. But, I’m happy that I have a picture of the moment and it’s always there for inspiration.
Print a capsule wardrobe checklist of staples
Before you begin the following steps, you’ll want to have a sense of what should be included in a capsule wardrobe and have a reference (like a capsule wardrobe list of items). A good rule of thumb is to have about 25-50 pieces total. That may seem extreme to some, but there are plenty of people who are living it and would never go back.
The following list is a good example of what you should strive for, but everyone’s going to look a little different depending on where they live (and I didn’t include undies cause you can figure that out 😊.
10 t-shirts/tops
2 sweaters/sweatshirt
1 jeans
1 dressy pants
2 pajamas
1-3 workout pants/tops
1 swimsuit
1 winter/warm jacket
2 dresses
1 skirt
1 purse
1 winter hat
1 sun hat
1-3 scarves/mittens
10 pieces of your absolute favorite jewelry
1 watch (though I’m done with them, that’s what cell phones are for!)
10 socks (combo of wool, cotton, etc. based on your activities)
1 sneaker/athletic shoes
1 dressy shoes
1 sandals
1 boots
1 slipper/house shoes
1 hiking boots or any other you need for a hobby
Consider the benefits of owning fewer possessions: less to clean, less debt, less to organize, less stress, more money and energy.
-K. Collins
Steps to Create a Capsule Wardrobe
Put all your clothes and shoes in a big pile
Next, take everything out of your closet and drawers and pile them all on your bed or the floor if there is too much.
There is a visceral reality-punch when you see that great big pile of fabric and start to think about how much you spent to get that great big pile of fabric over the years. Then, think about how much you ACTUALLY wear. 😵
My bet is if you are anything like me, it’s about 10%. And do not cheat, I mean EVERYTHING needs to be in that pile. If you have winter clothes up in the attic, drag them out. If your swimsuits are under the bed for the season, they go on the pile.
Sort your clothes
The next step is to start the sorting process. It is not as fun as getting picked by the sorting hat at Hogwarts, but it can be pretty dang rewarding pretty quickly.
Ok, so get a few pieces of paper and a marker and write need, want, meh, and toss.
Need is for items like work-issued boots or anything that is personalized, for example, if you are a new mom and need to have a nursing bra or anything like that.
Want is for anything that brings you joy or is a great staple. Think of your absolute favorite dress that makes you feel super sexy or your favorite jeans.
Meh is anything you pick up and are ambivalent about. If you don’t have an instantaneous reaction, it should go into the meh pile.
Toss is for items you haven’t worn in over a year (be strict about this one because no you aren’t going to wear it if <insert whatever excuse you’re thinking of>.), anything that is discolored/stained/holes that are not intentional (I see you pre-ripped jeans), and EVERYTHING that makes you feel dumpy, frumpy, uncomfortable, or doesn’t fit you today. Now, I know the saying, “Beauty is pain, dahling,” but f*ck that sh*t. You can 100% be fashionable without messing up your back with shoes that don’t fit and hinder your ability to walk correctly and wear pants that allow you to breathe.
If you get anxious, just take a deep breath, take a break, walk away, and remember-this is a choice. There is no set rule, but the more you let go, the more space you create for new energy to flow in.
Clean house
Here’s where the fresh start brings in new energy and starts to feel amazing.
Move all of the clothes in the meh and toss piles into bags and boxes. I do not like to use garbage bags myself, because it seems so freakin wasteful. I use old boxes, bags I already have around the house, and even old sheets that are ready to move along (lay sheet flat, clothes go on top, then pull the sheet together and tie it up).
Take it all and put it in the garage, in the trunk, anywhere that makes it easy to get to the donation station. If you’re confident you won’t regret getting rid of anything, don’t hesitate and bring all of your lovingly donated clothes to your local dropoff box or thrift store.
If this is all super new to you, you can hold off and live with your new wardrobe for a few months while storing everything away. But do not go in there and pull anything out. The whole point is to try it out and I guarantee the majority of stuff you’ll forget you ever had. And if there’s something you put in that you just cannot stop thinking about, well then maybe it has a spot in your closet after all.
Now an excuse that I’ve heard a ton is that it’s wasteful to get rid of all of these clothes that you’ve spent money on and barely worn. I disagree entirely. You already spent the money on clothes you don’t wear.
Getting rid of perfectly good items may seem wasteful, but that’s not where we went wrong. It was wasteful to purchase it. Now we are just acknowledging it.
— Rachelle Crawford
Buying clothes you never wear was the wasteful action, to begin with.
Now, you are donating the clothes to people who will actually make use of them and maybe will reduce the number of new clothes that they buy. It’s a win-win, and remember that it’s good to pass it forward, do good deeds, and share the wealth. It feels good! 🤩
Le Fin
I hope this sparks some excitement for you if you’re considering a capsule wardrobe as a way to simplify your life and leave a little bit lighter of a footprint. Let me know in the comments if you still have questions or if there’s anything else you want to know about how a capsule wardrobe can simplify your closet and your life! And if you want even more inspo, check out Courtney Carver’s tips on where to find it.
Living a completely stress-free life may not be realistic, but there are 100% little changes you can make to decrease the stress in your life. Here are some stellar ways that you can try out to reduce the feelings of stress in your day.
Even small tweaks to your daily routine can have a positive impact on how you are feeling on any given day, which is all we need to worry about how we are feeling in the moment that we’re in.
Care less about others’ opinions
We all look at the world through filters of our own life experiences, understandings, biases, and fears. You have no idea why someone is thinking what they’re thinking, so why bother worrying about it?
In most cases, they’re not even thinking about you, or they do not think what you fear they do in the first place. Or maybe they are having a bad day and said something mean or inconsiderate because they are the ones hurting. It has nothing to do with you.
That’s why I’ve always loved this quote,
Other people’s opinions of you are none of your business.
Robin Sharma
Get the most important stuff done first
Isn’t it true that the one thing that’s the most important to get done sits on your to-do list for too long, staring you down and weighing on your shoulders?
Just think of how freeing it would feel about tackling that thing first and save all of the strife and stress it causes by procrastinating. You have to do it regardless, so why suffer from putting it off? And if you do it first, then it doesn’t have to occupy space in your brain.
Just clear your mind, sit with the task, and get it done so you can move on.
Wear the same thing every day
This one is intended to take one thing off your plate every day and reduce your stress levels. It’s one less decision to make, one less thing to think about doing. I’m sure you’ve heard of some of the most notable people who have done this over the years, like Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, and Einstein. You don’t have to be an Einstein to benefit from this practice.
There are a few reasons why it’s so helpful. One, you’ll save money from not having to buy a bunch of clothes to fill your closet. Two, you’ll have less laundry to do and less stuff to keep organized. Three, you can start your day quicker and not fret over what to wear.
Especially now in COVID times, people who can work remotely don’t have to worry about having a new blazer for every day or wearing uncomfortable shoes to look professional in the office.
Eat the same thing every day
Again, this is to save time and brain space. As long as you’re cooking healthy, well-balanced food, it takes the thinking out of meal prep. I’m in the boat of always wanting something tasty and healthy but having a little bit of everything in the fridge but can never figure out what to eat.
With this practice, and with wearing the same thing every day, it’s a balance. There needs to be some changing it up, so you enjoy what you eat and not get too sick of it. But overall, having some basics in the kitchen that you can rely on is a great way to keep life simple.
Shift from negative to a positive perspective
It’s impossible to always have a positive outlook.
But there’s a tangible shift in your experience of circumstances when you can at least acknowledge a positive way of looking at things, even in the toughest of times. There are gifts in every experience since pain is a teacher.
Even if you hate the day or your grumpy boss, maybe think of how thankful you can be that you don’t act the way he does or even remember that you’re alive, and that’s something for which to be grateful.
Be honest with yourself and others (speak your truth)
I can’t stress this enough. Living your truth and standing by it lifts such a burden off. Even if it’s scary at first to be vulnerable by telling people your truth, shining light into the dark spots opens up your energy and creates more space around you.
It is vulnerable because there’s the fear that if you share your honest self, and someone judges you or doesn’t like what you say or do, then it will be even harder to deal with than if you just show up not being completely yourself, because they’re only getting the version of you that you’re letting them in on. But it’s worth taking that risk and showing people, and yourself, who you really are.
That’s how you start to feel confident in yourself, and build up trust with yourself, for yourself.
Adjust your attitude about possessions
As humans, we place value on particular inanimate objects for sentimental and societal reasons. I’ve gone to enough estate sales to see how the important things we hold so dear turn back into just random objects once we’re gone. People looking over someone else’s possessions cut clear through to the truth that it’s just stuff.
Now, I’m not a robot, and I love to have plenty of things and enjoy in my life. But it’s a conscious decision to keep what gives joy and appreciation versus just having crap for the sake of it.
I remember when my grama died, I couldn’t let her stuff go and I had it all shipped across the country to my house. But then pretty soon, my whole house smelled like her and I felt the burden of taking good care of all of her possessions.
It took over.
Then for the next couple of years, I worked on paring down only the most special pieces to me, and not what was worth the most or what I thought she’d want me to keep. It’s a process of letting go and remembering what’s really important, the memories and the love.
Moving your body is critical to maintaining the optimal functioning of your body and your mind. I struggle with this one, even though I consider myself healthy.
Especially now working from home during the pandemic, I used to ride my bike 40 minutes each way into work, and now I walk 40 steps to the living room. But when I do get my body moving, it’s like a mind wipe and brings me right back to the present.
Laugh and smile more
Sometimes during the workday, I have virtual tea with a work friend to take a breath and break up the day with something light and fun.
It can change the whole outlook of the day to have that time just to decompress, vent, and laugh at how ridiculous some of the stuff we have to do is.
Also, think of how different you feel after watching a drama or horror movie or show versus a comedy. It can and does influence your mood. So when you’re deciding on what to watch or read, try to remember to limit negative entertainment and try comedy and laughter instead. When you’re taking a break from work, maybe have a laugh with a friend or colleague instead of watching the news or scrolling on social.
Final Thoughts
I hope these ideas I have pulled together will be a helpful resource if you’ve been feeling stressed out. Go ahead and give one of these ideas a try and let me know if it helped!
Weekends are the best and the worse at the same time, and sometimes thinking of weekend activities can be daunting.
We finally have a chance to relax after a long work week, but we are either exhausted and need to catch up or the unscheduled time we were so looking forward to now seems daunting. If you don’t know how to fill your time or have analysis paralysis with how to enjoy your time off, just close your eyes, scroll down, and try the first thing you put your finger on.
Or just try the first things that make your eyes light up or something that makes you go, yeah, I’ve been wanting to get to that for a while. Just do it, even if you have to say to yourself that you’ll dip your toe in for five minutes or just walk around the block. Taking on new things in a small way can be more effective, than trying to do it all at once or committing to big life goals.
It is the small things, right?
Okay, now to the good stuff!
Ideas for Weekend Activities
Read in the sun.
And not on your phone. Read a book or a magazine even, find a sunny spot in your house or apartment, or somewhere out in the yard. Get lost in a story, read about how to improve yourself, learn about history, or whatever floats your boat.
Watch the sunset.
Well, sunsets can just be so dang beautiful and there’s something about an amazing sunset that connects you to the present. It can stop you in your tracks and take your breath away. Take a drive, walk, or bike to a good look out spot and stop to appreciate the moment.
Go on a picnic.
Pack your favorite treats, bring your best cutlery and napkins, and set up a spread that is fit for a special occasion.
Schedule a morning workout.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by how to fill the unscheduled hours facing you down, starting off with a work out in the morning will help to shake out the anxiety bugs, get your head into the present moment, and focus on just making it through the workout. Then you’ve accomplished something right off the bat, gotten your endorphins pumping, and the rest of the day won’t have as much pressure put on it.
Play board games.
People of any age can enjoy a good board game. You can stop to just have fun and spend some time with a friend or loved one to just be silly and relax. Some of my favorites are Monopoly, Scrabble, and Trivial Pursuit.
Eat ice cream.
Take a walk to the local ice cream shop or pick up a pint and some cones, maybe even some sprinkles if you’re feeling it. Really good quality ice cream is such a treat, especially for us sweet tooths out there.
Make a romantic dinner.
It’s so easy to forget to stop and do something nice for your partner. How cool would it be for them to come home and fine a romantic dinner waiting for them.
Have a Luddite evening.
Pretend that the power is out and bust out the candles, books, games, etc. and disconnect for a night. I bet you’ll be shocked at how it can feel like time actually slows down.
Go on a digital scavenger hunt.
You can start to notice things you haven’t before when you’re looking for specific things to photograph. Create a list of items to find in your neighborhood and take photos of. Do it with friends and have a prize at the end for whoever finds the most or takes the most creative photos.
Be a staycation tourist.
There are so many things that I bet you’ve never checked out in your own city or town. Those things on your list that you’ve always wanted to try but think, well it’s always there when I have the time. Now’s the time, be a tourist.
Go to a farmers’ market.
Farmers’ markets are the best because the quality of produce and good is always great, you can discover new things to try, it’s great for strolling and people watching, and you can usually score some great samples as you walk.
Bake.
If you want a warm hug, try baking something. If you don’t feel domestic or all warm and fuzzy, just try baking some more. Then share your bounty with a neighbor or your friends.
Volunteer.
So many organizations need volunteers all of the time. Animal shelters usually love when people show up and offer to take dogs for a walk, or shelters to help serve food, or now in COVID times, tons of facilities need volunteers at all experience levels to help get people vaccinated. Just do a google search for your area, and tons of stuff is bound to pop up.
Beach day.
If you live near a beach, just get yourself there. Bring some goodies, a book, blanket, and a hat and veg. Whether you enjoy jumping in the water and swimming or playing in the waves, or just sitting and reading a book and people watching, there’s no pressure at the beach and getting some sun, while also protecting your skin, is good for the soul.
Rearrange furniture.
Things hold energy, and shifting around your living space can create fresh energy. I’m always amazed at how refreshing it can feel to change the layout of a space. It doesn’t have to be forever either, you can try out different arrangements and if it doesn’t work, try making small changes until it feels right.
Write out a list and try something.
Write down a handful of things you’ve been wanting to do and putting off. Or maybe there’s some things that make you uncomfortable that you could write down and lean in to. It can be as small as taking the step to write the list and choosing one thing to try. Then take one step towards trying that thing.
Do a puzzle.
When in doubt, try a jigsaw puzzle. Some people may think it’s boring, like my husband, but you’d be surprised how even puzzle skeptics will get sucked in and super ecstatic when they find that one piece they’ve been looking for. Choose a puzzle that’s pretty and then you can turn it into an art piece.
Clean your closet.
This is my go-to. Cleaning out your closet is one of the best feelings, at least for folks like me who feel calm when things are organized. Even if you’re the kind of person who would rather just close the closet door because if you can’t see it, it’s not there, right? Just pick a drawer, pick a section of the closet, and do it in small chunks. Once you see some progress, it’ll be motivating.
Enjoying a park is a fabulous way to pass the time. For some, it is a great way to get exercise, like tossing the frisbee, and for others, it is super fulfilling to sit under a tree and reading a book. Especially in urban areas where open space can be limited, getting yourself to a park can be restorative. Just type “parks near me” into Google, and you may find some new parks you didn’t even know about.
Bike ride.
Hopping on the bike and exploring is so much fun. It is liberating to get around and not be in a car, feeling the wind in your face and taking in everything passing by. Plus, it’s great to get the blood flowing.
Online class.
There are so many free and cheap online classes now, with sites and apps like Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, MasterClass, Teachable, and Kajabi. Heck, even YouTube has tons of awesome free info out there. Instead of binge-watching, which no shade at all-we all enjoy a good binge, try watching something where you can learn a new skill or just be inspired.
Brainstorm on a life plan.
Feeling lost in life? Take some time to explore and brainstorm some values and vision for your life that get you excited. Lose any limiting factors like money or societal norms, and just imagine your dreams. One way to do this is to get a bunch of magazines and create a vision board.
Set goals.
Setting goals are the first step in making things happen for yourself. Sure you can just let life happen, and that’s totally fine. But if you want to be doing something else, feeling differently, or just feel like you’re aimless, then setting goals will help to star you on a new path, one that you define for yourself.
Garage/yard/tag/estate sales.
Driving around and looking for treasures on the weekends is so much fun. I grew up doing this with my mom and it’s a part of my being. You never know what you will find and the excitement of uncovering some treasure you never knew you wanted brings joy into the day. Or maybe you’re looking for something in particular. How good would it feel to find it super cheap at a garage sale versus buying it new for full price?
Scan old photos.
Scanning photos can feel super rewarding. If you’ve got editing savvy, you can even clean them up digitally and restore photos that may have been yellowed or damaged. It can feel very zen to do this because it’s so repetitive. Your mind has something to focus on and the reward is that now you’ve protected your photos and you can easily share them with friends and family.
Garden.
Getting your hands in the soil and turning dirt into beautiful food or flowers or whatever is relaxing and rewarding. It connects us to the earth and also is a great way to get outside and get exercise. It can be low impact all the way to back-breaking, so choose your comfort level.
Start an art project.
This can feel daunting if you’re not artistically inclined. But don’t worry about how it will turn out, just enjoy doing it. It’s all about the journey they say.
Write a letter.
No one writes letters anymore, yadda yadda. Well, it’s true. It’s pretty sad that we’ve lost this past time because it is so exciting to get a real letter in the mail. Some millennials may not have ever sent or received a letter in the mail. And I’m not talking about a birthday card or holiday photo postcard. So if there’s a friend or family member you haven’t talked to in a while, take a chance and write them a letter. I bet it’ll make their day and be a point of connection that will have a special impact on your relationship.
Try a new recipe.
I have so many awesome cookbooks and recipes from my family. They just sit there. Why not try a new recipe and challenge yourself?
Play card games.
Cards are easy to bring anywhere and the cool part is you can play them alone or with someone else. Getting good at card games is like a craft and a puzzle at the same time.
Visit an animal shelter.
It’s hard to go to animal shelters and see sometimes abused animals in stark cold cages. But showing up and interacting with them brings a little bit of joy to their day. It’s a selfless way to give back and make another being’s day a little brighter.
Go to a meet-up.
This one can be a little scary. You put yourself out there in a group where you don’t know anyone. But if it’s for something that you enjoy, chances are you’ll meet some people with who you’ll connect and open new doors in your life.
Get out of the house.
It doesn’t matter what you do to get out of the house but do it. Even in pandemic times, you can go for a walk or a little drive. Even if it’s a ½ hour to smell the fresh air and change your surroundings, it can shake up your energy and feel like a fresh start when you get home.
Go for a hike.
Hands down my favorite. Getting out into nature is healing on its own, and then add in exercise. The beautiful thing about hiking is you can go at your own pace and take in the surroundings. There have been so many times that I start a hike feeling anxious from work or overwhelmed by everything on my to-do list, and at the end of the hike, I always always feel worlds better.
Walk around a museum.
If you live in an area where it’s easy to get to a museum, this is a great activity. There’s no pressure to do anything other than walk around and take in the art. You can be inspired by literally some of the best creators in the world and take that renewed energy back home with you. If you want to flex your art muscled, bring a pad or a journal to sketch or write down your thoughts as they come up.
Get lost in a library.
When was the last time you went to a library? If you don’t have young kids or aren’t in school, I bet it’s been a while. Libraries are great places to go exploring in. Pick any topic and scan the shelves. Pull out something that piques your interest, find a little nook, and just enjoy scanning through a book or a few.
Arboretum.
There are a few arboretums/gardens where we live and they are great places to walk around in. Most will have signage throughout so you can learn about the different flora and fauna.
Movie night.
Just because we can’t go to theaters in pandemic times, doesn’t mean we can’t create our own movie nights. Pop some popcorn, make an ice cream Sunday, put on your comfiest clothes, grab the fuzzy blankets, turn down the lights, and watch a movie. Sounds like heaven.
Go to a coffee shop.
There’s nothing I love more than going to my favorite coffee shop, getting a cappuccino, reading a book or do a crossword or just people-watch. I worked as a barista for years and some of my closest friends are people I met during those days. Good local coffee shops have a way of creating a community like no other.
Go to a neighborhood cleanup.
In my neighborhood, there’s an urban creek that always gets clogged up with trash. People are always out there cleaning it up on the weekends, and the same with the local beach. It feels so good to help keep a place clean and healthy. It’s a beautiful way to give back to the planet that we live on and also to get some fresh air and low-impact exercise.
Create music playlists.
Hello Spotify. I have tons of playlists in my Spotify account and I love organizing my favorite songs into playlists and knowing that I have a list for almost every kind of mood I’m in with all of my favorite songs from the different phases of my life. Music heals.
Meditate.
Take 10 minutes to close your eyes, slow your breathing, and just focus on being.
Practice yoga.
YouTube has tons of awesome free yoga, from 15-minute morning stretches to hour-long challenging flows. Basically, any style or level of yoga you’re looking for you can find for free to do in your living room. Otherwise, check out yoga in the park or a local studio, but just be aware that some classes can get pretty pricey. Some awesome YouTube channels to try at home are Boho Beautiful, Yoga with Adriene, and Alo Yoga (Caley Alyssa is awesome).
Have a spa treatment.
Get your nails done or have a massage. We all deserve a little pampering now and again.
Dancing.
Dance in your living room with the sound up or find somewhere to dance like a club, a class, or even a community center.
Go for a swim.
I had this apartment a few years ago that had a great little pool. It would melt away stress to swim even for 15 minutes and then take a nice hot shower. If you’re brave, jump into the ocean for a five-minute swim even when it’s freezing. Not sure? Check out Wim Hof and you may be a convert.
Go birding.
Birds are curious creatures. They can be cute little chickadees to majestic raptors. If you own binoculars check out bird hot spots in your area and see what you can see. Ebird has a really cool map where you can find spots near you.
Take a vacation.
It doesn’t have to be a big epic endeavor. Take a short weekend jaunt somewhere an hour or two from home and get an Airbnb, make a dinner reservation, check out some local specialty or event.
Go camping.
We love to go camping on the weekends. Especially when your job is being tied to a computer all week, it can feel so good to get out into nature without any technology and just sit by a fire and watch the stars. Plus, there’s nothing like waking up in a beautiful area to stir the soul.
Make a plan.
Make a plan to do something. Don’t know what the thing is? Part of planning is brainstorming. Get out a big piece of paper and start brainstorming on things you want to plan to do. Find some small goals, set realistic timelines, and track it. You’ll be surprised how you can achieve things when you put pen to paper and monitor your progress.
Stock up on groceries.
We all need to do it, so put on some headphones, play your favorite playlist, and get it done. It’s a small accomplishment, but it will still feel good to have your kitchen stocked with the essentials and some of your favorite snacks.
Spend time with a pet.
Pets are great distractions. They force you to go for a walk, give some rubs, and play. Make your morning or afternoon all about them, clean their space, brush their fur and teeth, buy them a new toy or treat.
Netflix and chill.
We all need it some days. Don’t feel guilty about having a good binge if you are having a day where that’s just what you’re capable of doing. We all need days off to recharge and let our brains rest. It is normal.
Treat Sunday night like Saturday.
I’m sure most of us have had the Sunday blues. Why bother doing anything Sunday night when Monday is right there and a full week of work is a the door? Well, that’s exactly why Sunday night is a good night to go out and have a nice meal, watch a movie, do whatever you would do on Saturday night (well maybe not a party if that’s what you would do), and eek every last drop of the weekend out that you can.
Meal prep.
I am awful at this. There’s something about meal prep that I cannot get into. But I am including it because it’s something that I’ve always stried to do, and the friends I know who have it down tend to eat pretty well and not stress about what to throw together on their lunch break but can relax and enjoy the time. If you have any tips, please let me know!
Sleep in.
My husband’s alarm goes off at 5:30 AM and I’m not too far behind on workdays. Weekend activities be damned – the idea of sleeping in on the weekends is like the best luxury around. Sleeping in for us is like 8 AM but it still counts! Wake up slowly, bask in the deep morning stretches in bed, enjoy the sun on the blankets, and don’t stress about jumping right up and tackling the day. Ease into it.
BBQ.
Putting food on the grill always makes it feel like a special meal. There’s that little bit of extra love that goes into cooking outside and using fire.
Go for a drive.
Take a drive and explore new areas. You will always find something unexpected and inspiring. Either in coming across areas, buildings, spaces that you want to explore more or in seeing things that help you to understand what you don’t want in your life. Either way, it’s a great way to get out and see more of where you live.
Do the laundry.
Doing the laundry is one of most people’s dreaded tasks. But I kind of like it. For me, I try to think of doing the laundry and even doing the dishes as an active meditation. If you stop to feel the warmth of the clothes and the satisfaction from taking good care of the things that keep you warm and allow you to express yourself, it can be satisfying and feel like less of a chore.
I hope one of these ideas helps you to fill your weekend days with weekend activities that bring you contentment. Please pin this post or forward it to someone who would benefit. Enjoy your weekend!
Simplicity, simplifying your life, slowing down, appreciating what truly matters. If you’re craving the peace of mind that these states bring, then this is the post for you. I have searched high and low for all of the best quotes on all things simplicity and living a simple life. I even found 365 quotes, one for every single day of the year!
You could write a whole journal on simplicity.
A meditation of sorts. Queue calming picture of a clean simple space… Ahhh.
When the COVID-19 pandemic started, life slowed down.
But eventually, we learned how to work remotely, and work got more demanding than ever, we had to manage work and homeschool our kids, our friends and family were getting sick, we couldn’t be together to vent or laugh or give a hug, and we started shopping online for everything.
The pandemic has been a mix of slowing down and speeding up all at the same time. We’re home all day, surrounded by our stuff, claustrophobic with four walls and no outlet.
I’m talking to you city folk.
You may be feeling like life’s too complicted, or you have too much crap, or you just want to go back to a simpler way of life. Scan through this mega-list of quotes on simplicity to get inspired, calm your nerves, and remember that most things in life are a choice.
You can make your life simpler.
Start off by picking one of these quotes that inspire you, open your bullet journal, journal, pad, or heck use a napkin. Take your time writing it out. Maybe try cursive. Or even write with your non-dominant hand (hello inner child).
Or you can get inspired with my Simplicity Coloring Book. You can use it digitally; download and color with colored pencils, Sharpies, or crayons; or even just print out and use a page for wall art!
Get Your Bullet Journal Ready…
But first, if you are in the market for a new bullet journal, I have to give a quick plug to the Leuchtturm1917. If you’re new to bullet journaling, or it’s time to start fresh, I can’t tell you how happy I am with mine. I’m a fairly new convert within the last year to bullet journaling and I’m in love. I got a Leuchtturm after researching the options out there and I’m super happy with it.
Legit, I spent like 3 days looking at all of the pretty colors it comes in going back and forth on what color to get. Big decisions here people.
Little did I know my husband was going to buy me a new laptop for my birthday that would be a perfect complement in tones of pink and maroon.
Alright, here’s what you’ve been waiting for! 365 Simplicity Quotes for your Bullet Journal.
Simplicity is nature’s first step, and the last of art. — Philip James Bailey
The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. Hans Hofmann
If buying stuff hasn’t made you happy, maybe getting rid of it will. — Joshua Becker
Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification. — Martin Luther King, Jr.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. — Leonardo da Vinci
Simplify, simplify, simplify. — Henry David Thoreau
Simplifying one’s life can also lead to a more contented existence. — Glen Mizrahi
Simplicity is not about deprivation. Simplicity is about a greater appreciation for things that really matter. — Anonymous
One of the biggest accelerators to change is simplicity. — Dr. Henry Cloud
Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. — William Morris
Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art. — Frank Lloyd Wright
Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify. Simplify. — Henry David Thoreau
To complicate is simple, to simplify is complicated… Everybody is able to complicate. Only a few can simplify. — Bruno Munari
Simplicity reveals the pure beauty of life. — Debasish Mridha
Simplifying our lives increases the probability of achieving the most important things in life — the best things. — Elder Lynn G. Robbins
Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance. — Coco Chanel
Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject. — Thomas Mann
You have to want to look for simplicity. You have to be motivated to design simplicity. — Edward de Bono
The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity. — Walt Whitman
Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers. — Herbert Hoover
There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions. — Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Simplicity is the key. — Ritchie Blackmore
Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor — it’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living. — Peter Walsh
Simplicity is that middle ground, the quiet path of moderation in all things. — Cary David Richards
Simplicity is not an objective in art, but one achieves simplicity despite one’s self by entering into the real sense of things. — Constantin Brancusi
Having a simplified, uncluttered home is a form of self-care. — Emma Scheib
Simplify your life. Don’t waste the years struggling for things that are unimportant. Don’t burden yourself with possessions. Keep your needs and wants simple and enjoy what you have. Don’t destroy your peace of mind by looking back, worrying about the past. Live in the present. Simplify! — Henry David Thoreau
Out of chaos, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. — Bruce Lee
It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. — Laura Ingalls Wilder
As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness. — Henry David Thoreau
Simplicity is not the goal. It is the by-product of a good idea and modest expectations. — Paul Rand
It’s never good to make a simple thing into complicated. — Ly Nguyen
Nature teaches us simplicity and contentment because in its presence we realize we need very little to be happy. — Mark Coleman
In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Clutter is not just physical stuff, it’s old ideas, toxic relationships, and bad habits. — Elanor Brown
Simple pleasures are the last healthy refuge in a complex world. — Oscar Wilde
Simplicity does not mean want or poverty. It does not mean the absence of any decor, or absolute nudity. It only means that the decor should belong intimately to the design proper, and that anything foreign to it should be taken away. — Paul Jacques Grillo
Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it. — Alan Perlis
Elegance is achieved when all that is superfluous has been discarded and the human being discovers simplicity and concentration: the simpler and more sober the posture, the more beautiful it will be. — Paulo Coelho
Everything you buy or own might not necessarily bring you value or meaning to your life. In fact, they might come in your way and distract you from the bigger picture. You will find that simplicity is always better than complexity. — Summer Andrews
Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires. — Lao Tzu
When you begin to pursue simplicity and make different decisions than you used to make, people will inevitably take notice. — Mike Burns
The simplicity of life will make your life richer and fuller than trying to fit more in and having more. Just focus on what is important in your life. — Kathy Stanton
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. — Lao Tzu
Consider the benefits of owning fewer possessions: less to clean, less debt, less to organize, less stress, more money and energy. — K. Collins
Simplicity is about deciding what’s important to you and focusing on that before anything else. — Chelsea Walters
Many people who suffer from heightened stress and anxiety have seen a dramatic improvement by cutting back and simplifying their lives. — Brian Night
Simplicity is the key to brilliance. — Bruce Lee
Simplifying your life may not be as simple as it sounds but you will be able to simplify your life when you get clear and focus on what is most important to you. — Donald Allen
Never overlook the power of simplicity. — Robin Sharma
Like spirituality itself, the simplest things, when appreciated with reverence, take on an entirely new meaning. — Oprah Winfrey
There are two ways to be rich: one is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little. — Jackie French Koller
Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It’s your masterpiece after all. — Nathan W. Morris
The way to happy – keep your heart free from hate, your mind free from worry, live simply, expect little, give much. — Carol Borges
Outer order contributes to inner calm. — Gretchen Rubin
The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. — Peace Pilgrim
Great men simplify great principles and make them easily intelligible to ordinary men. — Tunku Abdul Rahman
You will be amazed to see how just one moment of truth has the potential to simplify your struggles! — Anuranjita Kumar
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Simplify the task. Continually look for faster, better, easier ways to get the job done. — Brian Tracy
My mind was always very cluttered, so I took great pains to simplify my environment, because if my environment were half as cluttered as my mind, I wouldn’t be able to make it from room to room. This system has just worked for me, even though I’ve had to sweat over every word. It’s just my style. — Leonard Cohen
Explanations exist; they have existed for all time; there is always a well-known solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong. — H. L. Mencken
You must clear out what you don’t want to make room for what you do want to arrive. — Bryant McGill
Simplify always — do not complicate. — Émile Coué
Simplify, slow down, be kind. And don’t forget to have art in your life — music, paintings, theater, dance, and sunsets. — Eric Carle
Just slow down. Slow down your speech. Slow down your breathing. Slow down your walking. Slow down your eating. And let this slower, steadier pace perfume your mind. Just slow down… — Doko
And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, this is important! And This is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this! And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, No. This is what’s important. — Iain Thomas
Life is simple; we create the complexity. — Steve Maraboli
And yes, there’s a simplicity to writing books because you’re not a member of a team, so you make all the decisions yourself instead of deferring to a committee. — Bernard Cornwell
If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. — Albert Einstein
Simplifying is about gaining control of your life and your possessions, creating more time to do the things you want to do, and to spend with the people you love. — Wendy Priesnitz
When we simplify, we are attending to our minds. Clear minds lead to creativity, vision, health, and productivity. — Angela Lynne Craig
You have to seek the simplest implementation of a problem solution in order to know when you’ve reached your limit in that regard. Then it’s easy to make tradeoffs, to back off a little, for performance reasons. You can simplify and simplify and simplify yet still find other incredible ways to simplify further. — Steve Wozniak
Simplify and focus on the good. The beauty of the journey ahead will flourish on its own. — Eric Tomblin
The hardest thing in the world is to simplify your life; it’s so easy to make it complex. — Yvon Choinard
Simplify your life and mind. Think more of infinity and less of yourself. — Frederick Lenz
Simplify the complicated, untangle the tangled, follow the threads, to the heart of the matter. — Jane Teresa Anderson
A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think. — Eleanor Roosevelt
Simplicity is the soul of efficiency. — Austin Freeman
Simplicity is clarity. — Olen J. Hamm
I don’t say no because I am so busy. I say no because I don’t want to be busy. — Courtney Carver
Clarity and simplicity are the antidotes to complexity and uncertainty. — General George Casey
No is a complete sentence. — Anne Lamott
Complexity has nothing to do with intelligence, simplicity does. — Lawrence Bossidy
Mastery comes via a monomaniacal focus on simplicity versus and addition to complexity. — Robin Sharma
You no longer need to fit into society’s framework. Simplifying your life and stripping back your layers is true living. — Bright Goldworthy
Buy less, choose well. — Vivienne Westwood
The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not the person we were in the past. — Marie Kondo
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. — Confucious
A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life. — Winston Churchill
Life is beautiful in its simplicity. — Thomas Matthiessen
My goal is no longer to get more done, but rather to have less to do. — Francine Jay
Maybe the life you’ve always wanted is buried under everything you own. — Joshua Becker
There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less. — C.K. Chesterton
You can do anything but not everything. — David Allen
Focus on what matters most and why. — Aja Nicole Edmond
Simplify, then add lightness. — Colin Chapman
Your home is living space not storage space. — Francine Jay
Lead a simple life. First reduce your greeds. Then reduce your needs. — Ritu Ghatourey
Make room for what matters… Let go of what doesn’t. It’s that simple. — Robert Tew
Getting rid of perfectly good items may seem wasteful, but that’s not where we went wrong. It was wasteful to purchase it. Now we are just acknowledging it. — Rachelle Crawford
What I know for sure is that when you declutter, whether it’s on your home, your head, or your heart, it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family. — Peter Walsh
Clutter is the enemy of clarity. — Julia Cameron
The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. — Socrates
Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become. — Paramahansa Yogananda
The best things in life aren’t things. — Art Buchwald
I just find myself happy with the simple things. Appreciating the blessings God Gave me. — DMX
Going back to a simpler life is not a step backward. — Yvon Chouinard
Maybe family meals at home, spending more time with our children, and living a simpler life based on necessity is the solution to more than just this virus. — Steve Dillender
Simplicity of living plus high thinking lead to the greatest happiness! — Paramahansa Yogananda
Simplicity is never a matter of circumstances; simplicity is always a matter of focus. — Tsh Oxenreider
There is nothing more beautiful than living a simple life in this complex universe! — Mehmet Murat Ildan
People who live far below their means enjoy a freedom that people busy upgrading their lifestyles can’t fathom. — Naval Ravikant
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. — Edsger Dijkstra
Living a simple life is the secret of living a peaceful life. — Jinapa
Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough. — Charles Dudley Warner
Only great minds can afford a simple style. — Stendhal
Believe in simple living and high thinking. — Tripti Sharma
Simplicity is a state of mind. — Charles Wagner
One tiny step is all it takes. — Courtney Carver
Choose to focus your time, energy and conversation around people who inspire you, support you and help you to grow you into your happiest, strongest, wisest self. — Karen Salmansohn
The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. — Jennifer Burger
Simplicity is never a matter of circumstances; simplicity is always a matter of focus. — Ann Voskamp
The best way to enjoy your favorite things is to only own your favorite things. — Courtney Carver
Grandeur and beauty are so very opposite, that you often diminish the one as you increase the other. Variety is most akin to the latter, simplicity to the former. — William Shenstone
Live a simple life; you will own the most beautiful treasures of the world. — Mehmet Murat Ildan
I’m just a regular person who believes life is simple, and I like a simple life. — Manny Pacquiao
That’s been one of my mantras—focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains — Steve Jobs
The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them. — Paulo Coelho
Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of rain, the taste of your favourite food, or the sound of a loved one’s voice. — Joseph B. Wirthlin
Stop filling all the spaces. — Courtney Carver
The pure and simple truth is rarely pure, and never simple. — Oscar Wilde
The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed — it is a process of elimination. — Elbert Hubbard
The simplest things are often the truest. — Richard Bach
I would rather live a joyful simple life, doing what I love, than to be unhappy and rich. — Lailah Gifty Akita
A lot of people don’t want a million-dollar house. They just want to live a simple life and catch fish and make a living. — Bill Tucker
It is always the simple that produces the marvelous. — Amelia Barr
My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can. — Cary Grant
Simplicity of living, if deliberately chosen, implies a compassionate approach to life. It means that we are choosing to live our daily lives with some degree of conscious appreciation of the conditions of the rest of the world. — Duane Elgin
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. — Lao Tzu
What’s really important is to simplify. The work of most photographers would be improved immensely if they could do one thing: get rid of the extraneous. If you strive for simplicity, you are more likely to reach the viewer. — William Albert Allard
Voluntary simplicity means going fewer places in one day rather than more, seeing less so I can see more, doing less so I can do more, acquiring less so I can have more. — John Kabat-Zinn
We don’t need to increase our goods nearly as much as we need to scale down our wants. Not wanting something is as good as possessing it. — Donald Horban
We struggle with the complexities and avoid the simplicities. — Norman Vincent Peale
When thought is too weak to be simply expressed, it’s clear proof that it should be rejected. — Luc De Clapiers
I’m a quiet person, and I live a quiet, pleasant, ordinary, simple life. — Mary McGarry Morris
A simple life is its own reward. — George Santayana
I live a reasonably simple life, off the beaten track. — George Lucas
It is preoccupation with possession, more than anything else, that prevents men from living freely and nobly. — Bertrand Russell
When the subject is strong, simplicity is the only way to treat it. — Jacob Lawrence
Make your life simple, but significant. — Don Draper
The greatest wealth is to live content with little. — Plato
Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. If you have them, you have to take care of them! There is great freedom in simplicity of living. It is those who have enough but not too much who are the happiest. Peace Pilgrim
Writing is no trouble: you just jot down ideas as they occur to you. The jotting is simplicity itself — it is the occurring which is difficult. — Stephen Leacock
To be honest, I tend to romanticize the past, and though I appreciate all the conveniences of modern life, sometimes I yearn for simpler times. — Aziz Ansari
You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need. — Vernon Howard
It’s no bad thing to celebrate a simple life. — J.R.R. Tolkien
Live simply so that others may simply life. — Mahatma Gandhi
I am convinced that there can be luxury in simplicity. — Jil Sander
It is very hard to be simple enough to be good. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
God made life simple. It is man who complicates it. — Charles Lindbergh
It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary. — Paulo Coelho
Free men must live simple lives and have simple pleasures. — William Morris
That man is richest whose pleasures are the cheapest. — Henry David Thoreau
Simplicity of character is no hindrance to the subtlety of intellect. — John Morley
The greatest step towards a life of simplicity is to learn to let go. — Steve Maraboli
Let me tell you something: I’m a simple person who lives a simple life. — Bill Cowher
He who is contented is rich. — Lao Tzu
In no order of things is adolescence a time of the simple life. — Janet Erskine Stuart
Finding a way to life the simple life is one of life’s supreme complications. — T.S. Eliot
Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires. — Lao Tzu
When we crave simplicity, we are not after an easier life. We are after life. — Dave Bruno
Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought. — William Hazlitt
Best rule for a simple life…care with no reason, love with no expectation. — Ritu Ghatourey
A simple lifestyle is good for us, helping us to better share with those in need. — Pope Francis
Life is very simple. What I give out comes back to me. Today, I choose to give love. — Louise Hay
Receive without conceit, release without struggle. — Marcus Aurelius
Simplicity is the nature of great souls. — Papa Ramadas
Life is like art. You have to work hard to keep it simple and still have meaning. — Charles de Lint
Man is an over-complicated organism. If he is doomed to extinction he will die out for want of simplicity. — Ezra Pound
Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decision fueled by procrastination. — Christina Scalise
A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life. — Winston Churchill
Simplicity is so attractive and so profitable that it is strange that so few people lead truly simple lives. — Leo Tolstoy
Simplicity, clarity, singleness: these are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy. — Richard Halloway
I don’t want all that much. But I want to be fine. I want to live a simple life with many good moments and a lot of fun. — Erland Loe
Simplicity is the essence of happiness. — Cedric Bledsoe
Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand. — Henry David Thoreau
I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind. — Albert Einstein
All I really want is a small, slow, simple life. A mediocre life. A beautiful, quiet, gently life. I think it is enough. — Krista O’Reilly
Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves. — Edwin Way Teale
Love is simple. Life is simple. Hate is simple. Success is simple and failure is simple. Then what is difficult? Being simple is very difficult!!! — Lokesh
They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. — Ronald Reagan
Simplicity, clarity, singleness: These are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy as they are also the marks of great art. — Richard Holloway
I began to realize how simple life could be if one had a regular routine to follow with fixed hours, a fixed salary, and very little original thinking to do. — Roald Dahl
Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art. — Frederic Chopin
Simplicity involves unburdening your life, and living more lightly with fewer distractions that interfere with a high quality life, as defined uniquely by each individual. You will find people living simply in large cities, rural areas and everything in between. — Linda Breen Pierce.
The complexity of your earthly array is not a guarantee for a triumphant eternity. The fact is that you need a simple life to go to heaven; not an excessively glittering body, shiny lips and charming face. — Israelmore Ayivor
Simplicity is indeed often the sign of truth and a criterion of beauty. — Mahlon Hoagland
The most powerful life is the most simple life. The most powerful life is the life that knows where it’s going, that knows where the source of strength is. It is the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness. — Max Lucado
The less I need, the better I felt. — Charles Bukowski
If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements. — Dalai Lama
We have one hardware organization. We have one software organization. It’s not like we’re this big company with all these divisions that are cranking out products. We’re simpletons. — Tim Cook
Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have even lived a more simple and meager life than the poor. — Henry David Thoreau
Nothing is true, but that which is simple. — Johann Wolfgang
Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone. — Albert Einstein
A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with that’s poverty but how efficiently we can put first things first. . . . When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar. — Victoria Moran
Organic architecture seeks superior sense of use and a finer sense of comfort, expressed in organic simplicity. — Frank Lloyd Wright
As we live and as we are, Simplicity — with a capital ‘S’ — is difficult to comprehend nowadays. We are no longer truly simple. We no longer live in simple terms or places. Life is a complex struggle now. It is now valiant to be simple: a courageous thing to even want to be simple. It is a spiritual thing to comprehend what simplicity means. — Frank Lloyd Wright
Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others’ choices make us. — Richie Norton
Of manners gentle, of affections mild; In wit a man, simplicity a child. — Alexander Pope
My choice of a lighter lifestyle has brought me a greater sense of well-being. In a world that often seems stressful and chaotic, that’s a feeling I cherish. — Lisa J. Shultz
Anything simple always interests me. — David Hockney
Simplicity is the beauty of life. — Lailah Gifty Akita
Less stuff equals more freedom. — Maxime Lagacé
In simplicity you will find peace. — Lauren Jawno
Simplicity of approach is always best. — Charlie Chaplin
Simplicity is the highest form of complexity. — Minh Tan
Some people try to make everything complicated, be the person who tries to make everything simple. — Dave Waters
Simplicity is the glory of expression. — Walt Whitman
Out of clutter, find simplicity. — Albert Einstein
Simplicity is the trademark of genius. — Robin S. Sharma
There is great freedom in simplicity of living. — Peace Pilgrim
Childhood means simplicity. Look at the world with the child’s eye — it is very beautiful. — Kailash Satyarthi
Complexity is your enemy. Any fool can make something complicated. It is hard to keep things simple. — Richard Branson
Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. — Albert Einstein
As beautiful as simplicity is, it can become a tradition that stands in the way of exploration. — Laura Nyro
When I started to live in simplicity my life became peaceful, joyful, and blissful. — Debasish Mridha
Simplicity is the soul of modern elegance. — Bill Blass
Misery is complexity. Happiness is simplicity. — Lester Levenson
A simple life means a humble life and humble life means a happy life. — Melanie Moushigian Koulouris
Simplicity is beauty beyond words. — Suufee
Simplicity and humility are the flowers of greatness. — Debasish Mridha
As I grew older, I realized that it was much better to insist on the genuine forms of nature, for simplicity is the greatest adornment of art. — Albrecht Durer
Simple and humble people aren’t given respect for their simplicity, planes and clarity until they get successful. — Srishti Sharma
Don’t create complicated solutions to fix complicated problems. Simplicity is the only thing that can make our lives less complicated. — Kemmy Nola
Plain question and plain answer make the shortest road out of most perplexities. — Mark Twain
Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information. — Edward Tuft
All that makes earlier times seem simpler is our ignorance of their complexities. — Thomas Sowell
A simpler time… A simpler place… And all you have to do is choose that simplicity here and now. — Katrina Mayer
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex. It takes a touch of genius— and a lot of courage— to move in the opposite direction. E. F. Schumacher
Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things. — Isaac Newton
Everything is complex and everything is simple. The rose has no why attached to it, it blooms because it blooms, how no thought of itself, or desire to be seen. What could be more complicated than a rose for someone who wants to understand it? What could be simpler for someone who wants nothing? The complexity of thinking, the simplicity of beholding. — Andre Comte-Sponville
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature. — Thomas Kempis
I would rather own a little and see the world, than own the world and see a little. — Alexander Sattler
I’ve spent my life trying to make things simpler. Because I find ultimately that complicated doesn’t reach the heart. — Hans Zimmer
Progress is man’s ability to complicate simplicity. — Thor Heyerdahl
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple…That’s creativity. — Charles Mingus
Any work that is born out of natural serendipity or reverts to simpler times is poignant for people— in any era. — Cai Guo-Qiang
But luxury has never appealed to me, I like simple things, books, being alone, or with somebody who understands. — Daphne du Maurier
Simple truths are a relief from grand speculations. — Vauvenargues
In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life. — Plato
Simplicity and naturalness are the truest marks of distinction. — W. Somerset Maugham
Cherish simple things such as family, friends and love, because great things appear simple from far away. Place your simple things in the best light; there’s enough sunshine for all of them. — Val Uchendu
A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest. — Albert Einstein
Possessions, outward success, publicity, luxury — to me these have always been contemptible. I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best for both the body and the mind. — Albert Einstein
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. — Cicero
Guided only by their feeling for symmetry, simplicity, and generality, and an indefinable sense of the fitness of things, creative mathematicians now, as in the past, are inspired by the art of mathematics rather than by any prospect of ultimate usefulness. — E. T. Bell
For awhile, I was left with nothing on the physical plane. I had no relationships, no job, no home, no socially defined identity. I spent almost two years sitting on park benches in a state of the most intense joy. — Eckhart Tolle
I’ve learnt to gather simplicity from grasshoppers. I like their naive indecisive minds never knowing exactly when to stop chirping, and I envy their ability to be able to mingle with the green… — Munia Khan
Sometimes, the simple things are more fun and meaningful than all the banquets in the world. — E.A. Bucchianeri
Some of the greatest poetry is revealing to the reader the beauty in something that was so simple you had taken it for granted. — Neil deGrasse Tyson
How many things are there which I do not want. — Socrates
Simple things bring infinite pleasure. Yet, it takes us a while to realize that. But once simple is in, complex is out — forever. — Joan Marques
I like simplicity; I don’t need luxury. — Francis Ford Coppola
Here’s to the moments when you realize the simple things are wonderful and enough. — Jill Badonsky
A taste for simplicity cannot last for long. — Eugene Delacroix
The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life. — Marie Kondo
I hope these simple things are what I forever love about life, for then I will be happy no matter where I find myself. — R. YS Perez
Simplicity is the most difficult thing to secure in this world; it is the last limit of experience and the last effort of genius. — George Sand
The true miracle is not walking on water or walking in air, but simply walking on this earth. — Thich Nhat Hanh
The simplest things are overlooked. And yet, it is the simplest things that are the most essential. — Thomas Lloyd Qualls
There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth. — Leo Tolstoy
Greatness lies in simplicity, nobody can achieve it through karma. — Charan
Simple things of beauty can often take a lifetime to master and just a moment to savour. — Paul Jefferson Woods
Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful. — John Maeda
A man must be able to cut a knot, for everything cannot be untied; he must know how to disengage what is essential from the detail in which it is enwrapped, for everything cannot be equally considered; in a word, he must be able to simplify his duties, his business and his life. — Henri Frederic Amiel
For the more limited, if adequate, is always preferable. — Aristotle
The aspects of things that are most important to us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity. — Ludwig Wittgenstein
Simplicity is an acquired taste mankind left free instinctively complicates life. — Katherine F. Gerould
The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity. — Douglas Horton
Royalty is born when you adorn simplicity. — Bijoy Jha
Simplicity comes from thoughts, not only from behaviour. — Pooja Sarwade
Simplicity is the key to achieve extraordinary. — Nitin Namdeo
The greatest ideas are the simplest. — William Golding
Life becomes simpler when we ignore the opinions of others. — Albert Camus
It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness. — Charles Spurgeon
The main purpose of science is simplicity and as we understand more things, everything is becoming simpler. — Edward Teller
Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest. — Leo Babauta
Find joy and solace in the simple and cultivate your utopia by feeling the Tao in every cubic inch of space. — Wayne Dyer
The more we simplify our material needs, the more we are free to think of other things. — Eleanor Roosevelt
Be thankful for what you have. Appreciate the small and simple things. — Kyle Carpenter
Nature is pleased with simplicity. — Isaac Newton.
Less is more. — Mies van der Rohe
Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity. — Plato
Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information. — Edward Tuft
Don’t make the process harder than it is. — Jack Welch
Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand. — General Colin Powell
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. — Robert Brault
Enjoy the simple, the natural and the plain. Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work. — Benjamin Hoff
Everything is both simpler than we can imagine, and more complicated that we can conceive. — Goethe
From native simplicity we arrive at more profound simplicity. — Albert Schweitzer
I believe that the Apple Shuffle is an excellent compromise among the conflicting requirements of simplicity, elegance, size, battery life, and function. — Donald Norman
I believe we would be happier to have a personal revolution in our individual lives and go back to simpler living and more direct thinking. It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature. — Laura Ingalls Wilder
I don’t need a lot of money. Simplicity is the answer for me. — Linda McCartney
I have a simple philosophy. Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. And scratch where it itches. — Alice Roosevelt Longworth
I have learned by some experience, by many examples, and by the writings of countless others before me, also occupied in the search, that certain environments, certain modes of life, certain rules of conduct are more conducive to inner and outer harmony than others. There are, in fact, certain roads that one may follow. Simplification of life is one of them. — Ann Morrow Lindbergh
I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated. — Paul Anderson
I just like simplicity. I like simple songs, I like simple chords, simple vocals, simple lead guitar. I just like simplicity. That’s just the way I like it. — Jeremy Spencer
I take a simple view of living. It is, keep your eyes open and get on with it. — Sir Laurence Olivier
I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity — all I hope for in my clothes. — Yves Saint Laurent
I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity. — Oliver Wendell Holmes
If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life. — Wu-Men
The great seal of truth is simplicity. — Herman Boerhaave
Is it not in the most absolute simplicity that real genius plies its pinions the most wonderfully? — E. T. A. Hoffmann
The great artist and thinker are the simplifiers. — Henri Frederic Amiel
It is not how much space there is, but rather how it is used. It is not how much information there is, but rather how effectively it is organized. — Edward Tufte
It is simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences. — Aristotle
My philosophy? Simplicity plus variety. — Hank Stram
Nature is what we know — Yet have not art to say — So impotent our wisdom is to her simplicity — Emily Dickinson
Never again will I make the simple into the complex. Something of true value does not become more valuable because it becomes complicated. Experience and conditions come and go; complications arise and fall away, but the simple action of God is eternal in the universe. — Donald Curtis
Nobility of spirit has more to do with simplicity than ostentation, wisdom rather than wealth, commitment rather than ambition. — Riccardo Muti
No simplicity of mind, no obscurity of station, can escape the universal duty of questioning all that we believe. — William Kingdon Clifford
Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nothing is as simple as we hope it will be. — Jim Horning
Nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow down. Do less. — Maxime Lagacé
Simplicity makes me happy. — Alicia Keys
Simplicity should not be identified with bareness. — Felix Adler
The trouble with simple living is that, though it can be joyful, rich, and creative, it isn’t simple. — Doris Janzen Longacre
Simply the thing that I am shall make me live. — William Shakespeare
The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest. — Thomas More
’Think simple’ as my old master used to say — meaning reduce the whole of its parts into the simplest terms, getting back to first principles. — Frank Lloyd Wright
Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time. — Arnold Glasow
To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter … to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring—these are some of the rewards of the simple life. — John Burroughs
Teach us delight in the simple things, and mirth that has no bitter springs; forgiveness free of evil done, and love to all men beneath the sun. — Rudyard Kipling
The farther you go, the less you know. — Lao Tsu
The faultless formulas of television–the ones that last–are simple. — Dick Clark
The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply. — Kahlil Gibran
The simplest things give me ideas. — Joan Miro
To simplify complications is the first essential of success. — George Earle Buckle
To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school, but to so love wisdom as to live according to its dictates a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity and trust. — Henry David Thoreau
Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and meekness is the sign of true strength. — Vince Lombardi
The spirit’s foe in man has not been simplicity, but sophistication. — George Santayana
The whole is simpler than the sum of its parts. — Willard Gibbs
There is a certain majesty in simplicity which is far above all the quaintness of wit. — Alexander Pope
The little things are infinitely the most important. — Arthur Conan Doyle
There is a simplicity that exists on the far side of complexity, and there is a communication of sentiment and attitude not to be discovered by careful exegesis of a text. — Patrick Buchanan
There is no single development, in either technology or management technique, which by itself promises even one order-of-magnitude improvement within a decade in productivity, in reliability, in simplicity. — Frederick P. Brooks, Jr.
Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. — Albert Einstein
Understanding reduces the greatest to simplicity, and lack of its causes the least to take on the magnitude. — Raymond Holliwell
Tis the gift to be simple, Tis the gift to be free… — Joseph Brackett
Simplicity is a choice, a discrimination, a crystallization. Its object is purity. — Le Corbusier
The greatest wealth is a poverty of desires. — Seneca
The core of beauty is simplicity. — Paulo Coelho
I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best. — Oscar Wilde
It is the essence of genius to make use of the simplest ideas. — Charles Péguy
Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom list in their simplification. — Martin H. Fischer
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. — Henry David Thoreau
The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook. — William James
Saying no is more important than saying yes. — Shane Parrish
Every increased possession loads us with new weariness. — John Ruskin
He is not rich, that enjoyeth not his own goods. — Pythagoras
Make room for things that matter by removing everything that doesn’t. — Brian Gardner
The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are. — Mother Teresa
The more simple we are, the more complete we become. — August Rodin
