How I’m simplifying my life: A peek into my rustic lifestyle
Simplifying my life wasn’t easy; in fact, the journey was a long, black road. It happened ten years ago, surrounded in my small kitchen by unwashed dishes in the sink, laundry piled in the hallway waiting for their turn in the washer, the television blaring with some show my husband was watching, and I felt tired.
Not physically exhausted, but more drained emotionally and mentally cluttered.
I had built a life filled to the brim or everything I was told I needed to have. The two cars, two children, the flat screen television, and “fill in the blank.” And yet it all felt as though I wasn’t living. I wasn’t experiencing any of it.
I was merely going through the motions, quite the opposite of simplifying my life.
That moment became a turning point. I craved something more meaningful, more intentional. I needed to make a change. That was the moment when my husband and I decided what kind of change we needed to make in order to be more settled in our lives.
To Live More.
To be more present with my life, my children, and my husband.
And no, simplifying my life didn’t happen overnight. There was no grand announcement or radical change. Just small, deliberate shifts toward what I now call my rustic lifestyle-grounded in warmth, quiet, joy, and intentional moments that nourish me and my family.
In my article, How to Live with more Intention, I talk about how you can make that change for yourself.
Letting go of the “Busy+Worthy” Mindset
Most of my life, I had been taught that if I wasn’t constantly doing something,
I wasn’t doing enough, or I was lazy.
Or doing something wrong. I filled every gap of my day with chores, errands, doing things for my kids(without them with me), working, finishing my degree, refreshing my French (keeping it going), or “just one more thing”.
But in chasing productivity, or making sure that I am wearing many hats taught me that I was missing out on life. I wasn’t present.
Learning to simplify my life and live more slowly taught me that rest is productive. That stillness is valuable. That we can choose a simpler pace, even in the busy world we live in.
The changes that made all the difference
If you’re familiar with me, then you know my family and I moved from the States to France almost seven years ago now. I didn’t need to move all the way to the French countryside,
- I just needed to make a few tweaks. I need to realize what I should notice and what rhythms can ground me. The little rituals that I chose for myself to help ground me are:
- In the morning, I open the windows even for five minutes, and breathe in the quiet. Most days are misty, and the horizon is covered in a thick haze; it’s such a sight to wake up to.
- I started line drying my clothes, well, this one was more of a necessity because I don’t have a dryer. Sure, it’s sometimes slower and depends on the weather, but it’s soothing and strangely calming.
- I plan simple meals with seasonal ingredients and cook with soft music playing, or music to dance to. If you read my previous blog post about sustainable gardening, you’ll know it is very French to eat seasonally.
- I walk barefoot in the garden while sipping my tea, except in the spring because there are just too many bugs.
These simple rhythms don’t take extra time. They simply ask me to be in the moment I’m already in. And that is the whole meaning behind a simple lifestyle.
Simplifying what I have, over having more
Simplifying my life meant saying no to things that drained me. It meant choosing fewer, more meaningful choices and possessions. Things that tell a story or bring beauty to my world. I stopped buying for the sake of having or filling up space and began curating items that felt soulful, thrifted, handmade ceramics, soft lighting, baskets, and whatever had a history.
Even my wardrobe got simpler, though I still enjoy a good sale from time to time. It’s not about restriction, it’s about the ease and freedom that comes with letting go.
Letting my home reflect me.
As I slowed down, my home did too. I stopped worrying about trends or matching sets and started decorating with pieces that made me feel something, vintage finds, inherited treasures, and warm textures.
I returned to the love I had for Monica’s apartment in Friends. The mismatched kitchy feel. My rustic lifestyle is far from magazine-worthy, but it’s real. It’s lived in, and deeply me. My home is no longer just a. place I raced through and wished was tidy, it’s a space that is my soft place to land.
A simple life ritual that grounds me
My favourite rituals for a simple life is lighting a candle at dusk. It marks the end of the noisy part of the day. It says, “Your home now let your hair down and get cozy.”
I created my Smells Like Me Ma’s Hugs candle with that moment in mind. It’s made with eco-friendly soy wax and a wooden wick that crackles l ike a comforting fire. The scent? Warm vanilla, soft and nostalgic, like being wrapped in your grandmother’s embrace. Lighting it feels like an exhale.
Simplifying my life isn’t perfect, it’s peace and self-care
One thing I’ve learned is this: simple living isn’t about having less, it’s about returning to the simplicity that brings us joy and loving what we have and the moments we are experiencing.
It’s about choosing what truly matters and releasing what doesn’t. It’s not always tidy or photogenic, but that’s life.
If you’ve been craving a slower pace, you’re not alone. You don’t need a new house, a perfect routine, or a field of wildflowers to begin. You just need the courage to start where you are and take one small step towards your simple living lifestyle.
Until Next time
Christina
