5 Tips to Begin Living a Simple Lifestyle | Guide to Simple Living | JENNIFER COOK

We have 2 children. When they were younger they were each allowed to pick one activity at a time.( like a sport, dance etc.) We both worked full time and we weren’t going to run everyone around constantly. They were fine with it too. Sometimes after being in it for awhile they decided they didn’t like it or weren’t good at it and then picked something else.

Like you, procrastinating is my middle name. I have saved things, always for kids, grandkids. Like my sewing machine my hubby got me. He died 20 yrs ago and I haven't sewed or repaired since then. Trophy pins, glassware(I don't use) and anything that is stained, torn, or missing part. Duplicate tools, kitchenware. My saying was "what if"..now it's just "why"!

Question everything and assume nothing. I agree with what you say. I am not a minimalist by choice. I am a prepper. Everyone is a prepper. Do you shop 3 times a day for each meal. If you only shop once a week you are a prepper. New idea huh. Blessings.

Oh my today's the 23rd. Well 22 to go. Decluttering

If one declutters as many things per day as the date, starting on the first day of the month through they 30th, they would declutter 465 items in that month.

I completely agree about slowing down and making your body and health a priority. I've learned over the years that if I don't slow down my body will force me to slow down -- by becoming sick or injured. I finally realized I would much rather ENJOY my times of rest and relaxation! Although I know it can sometimes be difficult to do that in a culture where being overbooked and overworked is seen as a badge of honor and people give you the side-eye when you say you spent the day relaxing, LOL!

And I had to laugh at your talking about not being coordinated and tripping while going upstairs! My mom was like that and had a great sense of humor about it; she gave herself the nickname, "Super Klutz." I was pretty horrible at most sports, especially running or anything that required me to run any distance at all, but I was great at folk dancing, beach volleyball, and tennis.

Your husband loves to vacuum the house? You are a very lucky lady! Love the videos.

Miss those days coming home from school and mom having cleaned my room. Good times💞

As usual great video!

Hey Jennifer love your utube videos. Thank you for all the good tips. PS I have a hubby who likes to vacuum also.

I don't have kids but I apply the activity rule to myself and my husband. We're both very introverted and I know we max out around two social activities each weekend. It makes it easier to say no when our schedule is already full or if there's something we really want to do I see if we can shift something else. It keeps us both happy and makes sure we have down time to prepare for the week ahead.

Not sure if this is a tip, but something I started doing during the pandemic. I made myself a weekly cleaning schedule. So each day I have tasks that I try to complete around the house (there are scheduled off days). It helped me to know I had time allotted for other 'chores' on other days and I was able to relax by not feeling the need to be doing something all the time.

Stay home. Be content at home. Recognize and appreciate the beauty and blessings of your surroundings. Find enjoyment in cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry. Sweeping the front porch. Pulling weeds. Sit on the porch, read a book and listen to the traffic. Watch the lightening bugs. Sew, do counted cross-stitch. Make a list. Make a plan. Exercise at home. Consider how mentally strong and healthy you are. Count your blessings - literally or figuratively. Jennifer, thank you for this video. It is important and needed to be said. I hope many people watch and embrace your words of wisdom and advice.

This is such an important message, and you present it so well! We have to do what works for ourselves, and what we need - but to do that, we have to listen to ourselves, understand our values, and cherrypick advice. Problem is, we were never taught to do that; from we're small, we're taught to be busy and listen to whatever self-proclaimed authority is in vogue, never being encouraged to not do anything, or just use our imagination, entertain ourselves, or figure out how to solve problems. Instead, we're trained to be loyal little dissatisfied consumers.

Help me understand the whys, and I'm able to figure out the hows.

I also like to make the result the reward, and not need an additional reward for doing something. Being able to use a cleaned and decluttered space is enough for me, I don't want to (feel obligated to) do anything in particular with it. This actually reminded me of how much I dislike the "declutter to do all the things" trope ("travel the world" seems to be the most popular version) - nothing is gained, you're just as busy, maybe even more busy than before.

Thank you so much for this video. I wait until I have everything done to relax and then, I'm too tired...

You are such a beauty!

I so agree. I'm a cozy wanna be boho minimalist. I like warm, cozy. Hygge.

OK, Jennifer, we need a video on dry needling. 🙂

Hey Jennifer, great tips 👍 I can definitely relate to feeling like I have to tidy for example before I can relax, even if it could wait and my partner is saying chill out and don't worry it's not going anywhere, I've tried but I just feel anxious and keep thinking about it so it's easier to just get on with it so I can try and relax 😉I can also relate to the struggling to slow down and feeling lazy when I do try and relax when I know there's stuff to do, it was one of my new year intentions to slow down but I still haven't got a handle on that one as yet 🤔

Great tips!!!!