Three Essential Life Skills for a Simple Life
Simple living isn’t all about kicking back on a hammock with a margarita by your side. Well, at least not for me. I’m actually finding that having a strong skill set has been a huge help as I try to live more simply.
Pretty much anything I can do myself, I do. The money saved gets my family a little closer to financial freedom, and I also feel a bit closer to self-sufficiency as well.
I’ve said before that I don’t there’s a template for simple living. It’s different things to every person. So in your version, what skills have helped you live a simple life?
- Sewing: It’s not that sewing is so simple. It’s more that I stopped following trends when I realized I could make anything in the world I wanted.
- Relaxing: Yes, it’s a skill in my book. (It’s actually one I need to brush up on!) If I couldn’t relax, what would be the point?
- Researching: If there’s anything I don’t know how to do, I can find out how. That’s perhaps my favorite skill of all.
So what are your skills? Drop into the comments and share! (I’m secretly hoping to find a few new things to learn to make life even simpler…)
And if you need some inspiration, you might want to check out a few posts from The Life Skills Network:
This post has 36 comments
November 12th, 2008
Along with sewing I’d say knitting, crocheting and painting little things. Otherwise I think it’s important to not only be able to cook but to understand the different ingredients, how they work and what their seasons are. For my third most important skill I’d say knowing my limitations.
November 12th, 2008
I think one of the biggest skills I have acquired over the years is the ability to use the internet! I know that sounds strange, but hear me out …
You said you favourite was ‘Researching’ and a lot of the time I also research online. I also read fiction, read fact, watch programmes, chat with friends (via a myriad of ways), be entertained, be enlightened, learn things, create things and best of all almost all of it is free!
Andy @ Retire at 40s last blog post..Two Ways Biking Substantially Improves Your Life
November 12th, 2008
Cooking has saved me a huge amount of money. I didn’t realize how much I was spending on takeout until I signed up for an account at Mint and looked at the graphs of my spending. Even just thinking about it now freaks me out.
Reading has also saved me money. Not only does it entertain me, I gain knowledge.
Doing jobs around the house that I would have hired someone to do in the past, like painting and yard work. It’s good exercise, too.
Deborah Johnsons last blog post..Burned Out, Exhausted and in Need of a Change
November 12th, 2008
Handyman - I grew up in a family in Nova Scotia where all the men knew how to work with their hands. Everything from plumbing to building to electrical work was demystified. I’m not an expert at everything, but growing up that way has given me the confidence to know that whatever needs doing around the house I can “figure it out.”
Cook - My Mom is a fabulous cook and passed many of her skills on to me. Having the confidence to try “whipping something together” from intuition, and using the ingredients on hand or sniffed out at a market, is a big boon to living well.
Researcher - I agree with the research angle whole heartedly. I went to university in a field completely unrelated to what I do now. But my years as a history major taught me how to find, assemble and present information. That has served me in everything I do!
Adam Steers last blog post..Remembrance Day
November 12th, 2008
A skill that I’ve picked up is being able to cook well with simple foods and few ingredients. This has been a real contributor to the simplification of my life.
A whole discussion of sewing your own clothes recently developed at my blog. I sew well…well enough to make stuff to wear…but not well enough to rely on my stitching skills to create a whole wardrobe. I had been wondering if the time/cost investment of sewing was worth it beyond a mere hobby. I was actually pleased to find out that there are people who do, in fact, sew their whole wardrobes themselves. For me, though, the skill remains one that helps when I need to hem something quickly. In its own small way, I suppose that does help simplify things.
Thanks for a fun post!
Jennifer Skinner- The Very Small Closets last blog post..The Folly of Sewing Your Own Wardrobe? Perhaps Not!
November 12th, 2008
Relaxing- knowing that the world will go on about its day if I need to step out and not be available for awhile.
Not Trying to Please Everyone, Just Myself- There are way too many people who think I’m doing something wrong in life…but if I don’t think I am, why change things?
Letting Others Be Themselves- You can’t help someone change if they don’t want to change. No matter how hard you push and pull.
Katies last blog post..Sorry…
November 12th, 2008
I’m not so sure it’s a SKILL, but I’ve learned to live a simpler life by dropping the nit-picking from my life, particularly with parenting. “No use crying over spilt milk” is a great way of putting it - as parents we can spend a MASSIVE amount of time worrying and being picky over every last aspect of our kids! Not worrying so much about the little things and letting them find out some things for themselves has made our home happier, and my life a little simpler! Cheers.
Rosss last blog post..Be inspired in troubled times
November 12th, 2008
I take delight in every simple thing - whether its a bird perching on the window sill or the first snowfall I witnessed or its sudden flush of breeze kissing your face….! and etc.
Simply accept.
November 12th, 2008
Getting rid of stuff! Letting it go! I definitely think this is a skill we need to learn to acquire. Many of us have the tendency to hoard things which only leads to clutter and complication. I’m a big believer in culling out the unnecessary items to live a simpler life.
Jeff@MySuperChargedLifes last blog post..Get Into The Good Habit Of Looking At Life The Right Way
November 12th, 2008
I’ll second Deborah & Adam on the cooking. Not only saves money, but a lot of the time it tastes better and is healthier.
Go along with Adam & Deborah again on handyman. Like cooking, it’s something I am coming to later in life. You get a sense of accomplishment knowing ‘I did that’.
Being able to kick back and relax.
November 12th, 2008
I have to add a vote for cooking, including the use of leftovers. Saves money, tastes good, cuts down on waste.
I can’t sew well enough to make wearable clothes, but I think the ability to mend things is important–not just rips and tears in clothes, but things like gluing things back together, and patching holes in walls.
Cultivating gratefulness. Being happy with/for what I have, and not being envious of what other people have keeps life simpler.
November 12th, 2008
1. Cooking - I make my own meals from scratch and even bake my own bread. Ironically, it’s relaxing for me (and nice to not spend the extra money on prepared food).
2. Handyman/Mechanic - It’s so much cheaper to do some things on your own, and easier to not have to explain what you want to someone else. Yeah, there are a few things I still can’t do on my own … but I try to do as much as I can.
3. Task-setting - I’ve found my life is much simpler when I set task-oriented goals for myself. I don’t mean “to-do” lists, but creating ideas of what I want to accomplish for the day. Then I can focus on one outcome at a time.
November 12th, 2008
1) Not having a television. My kids aren’t bombarded with advertisement and don’t seem to want for much.
2) The library. We’re avid readers and I learn all kinds of things and keep the family entertained with no money needed entertainment.
3) Getting rid of things that aren’t special, I don’t love, or I don’t use often.
Vals last blog post..Thanksgiving 25
November 12th, 2008
Here’s my three skills that have served me well:
1. Analysis- Getting to the why and how of something has been a key for me in improving not only my software, but my life. It affects everything. Finding the root cause of things has had a ripple effect on my abiliy to take action and make things happen. Being able to untangle things has also been useful in handling complicated relationships, as well as 1000 ft rolls of cable.
2. Electronics- Having the ability to diagnose, repair and sometimes fabricate electronic devices has kept me in cash when all else has failed.
3. Finding free stuff to use and to do.
November 12th, 2008
My 3 skills:
1. the fortitude to do what’s right for me even if it isn’t popular, and even if I have to take a ribbing for it. I’ve made choices to simplify my life that aren’t always mainstream. Often times I say no and that’s some times hard for others to hear. I’m not afraid to be a little different.
2. creativity- being able to satisfy needs in an unconventional way, being able to create my own whatever instead of going to the mall. I don’t go without anything that I think is important, but I might satisfy that need in a different way.
3. gratitude to appreciate what I already have, and not focus on those things that others have that I don’t. Sometimes those things aren’t making them happy either.
November 12th, 2008
For me it’s not so much skills such as preferences. I hate clutter so much that it’s very easy not to buy stuff. I just don’t like having too much stuff.
Vered - MomGrinds last blog post..Ugliest Shoes EVER
November 12th, 2008
Like you I love research and am inquisitive by nature. I’ll have an answer for you within 5 minutes!
I’m a good cook and love to cook
As a yoga instructor, it’s easy to guide myself through a
practice at home, saves time and money!
Stacey Shipmans last blog post..Mind vs. Body: Never Give Up and Adventures in Rock Climbing
November 12th, 2008
One skill that has helped me immensely has been learning how to “close the book.” I teach in the ghetto and see a lot of sad stories. It used to bother me even when I was at home. Then I learned that the things I see are just like the things I read. I can “close the book” and live my life. I can also open the “book” and think about it. The choice is mine. I believe that this is called compartmentalizing. In the beginning I would literally imagine myself closing a book as I drove home. It works well for TV news too.
November 12th, 2008
My skills are pretty much brain related; I need to learn some manual skills, pronto
Marelisas last blog post..100 Essential Life Lessons
November 12th, 2008
It’s funny, the average person would laugh at the idea of ‘relaxing’ as being an essential skill, but I think it’s one of the weakest areas in much of our society. I certainly struggle with the concept and, as you said, need to touch up on it.
As a computer consultant, I have a lot of ‘geeky’ skills. And as you can imagine, this saves my wife and I a TON of money in computer repair as well as helps us put food on the table. Also, by having it as my own business, it allows me great freedom in my day to day life.
Excellent ’short and sweet’ post that really opened the door for ‘us readers’ so share our own insight. Eric.
Eric Hamms last blog post..Can Our Kids REALLY Be Whatever They Want To Be?
November 12th, 2008
I cut my kids’ hair. My grandmother made my mom learn how and she in turn taught me. I can’t cut my own, though! That’s too hard - I have to get my mom to do mine! Anyways, cutting my kids’ hair not only saves me a lot of money, but I think the kids look better overall. Before I would wait until they were just shaggy to take them in because of time and money. Now, I can do quick trims here and there after showers instead of drastic, infrequent cuts.
I try to limit my dry cleaning as much as possible. Not only to save $$, but its a greener way to go, too.
Meal planning and home organization - I’m a single mom with two kids. These skills are what keep us sane during the week.
Wendys last blog post..My friend used to call ‘em the last of the rainbow trout
November 12th, 2008
Hi Sara - Good questions, as always.
1) Like you, research. If I don’t know it, I hop on the computer. It’s great for product reviews, recipes, etc. You know.
2) Organization skills. I find if I have a place for everything and everything in it’s place, life is simpler. (However, that doesn’t always happen, but I try)
3) Journaling helps me to stay focused. Anytime I have decisions to make I write about them. For some reason when the thought goes from my head to a pen and then to the paper, it becomes clearer.
Barbara Swafford - Blogging Without A Blogs last blog post..Are Domain Names Over Rated
November 13th, 2008
I can act silly at the drop of a hat. That makes it extremely easy to have fun with my kids - doing the simplest of things. And I love mental stimulation - so my material needs are pretty limited.
November 13th, 2008
- Discipline (this is something I’m learning and definitely don’t have anywehre near mastered). Having the ability to say no (to myself and to others) has seriously helped simplify my life, both in terms of busyness and emotional stress.
- Imagination: Cultivating imagination opens so many doors in every day life. It has a way of making something mundane at least bearable if not enjoyable. It also makes living on a small budget more fun as your decorations are much more personal.
- Photography: Don’t laugh, but photography has given me so many wonderful things. I look at the world around me diffferently because of it, “I think I’ve been taking pictures all my life , long before I had a camera” - Sabrina. There’s also an element of pride in hanging your work around your home (instead of buying something from Ross that every 5th person has in their bathroom :-P).
November 13th, 2008
Cooking – though we do go out or do healthy take out twice a week or less, cooking at home from scratch (semi-planned meals during the week) is still my staple for daily simplicity.
Alternative medicine – it has saved my health, money in medical bills and time (spent with doctors). Being a researcher has helped in that regard.
Though I love to sew and knit, it’s not simple! It’s more of a hobby. Because of my love of fashion, being able to put together chic outfits from thrift, consignment store and yard sale finds is more of a skill for me.
Carlas last blog post..Holiday gift ideas | Use your hands | Part I
November 13th, 2008
- Baking (kind of a no-brainer) - we make really beautiful food at home because we’re not afraid of pastry. It doesn’t work out every time, but it’s always an adventure and they payoff is huge (in yummy savings)
- Loving home - staying in saves money just by virtue of itself. No gas, cooking in, listening to music, reading, watching DVDs - all less expensive when you love staying home. It’s even easier to have friends over for dinner - less expensive and you don’t have to drive home!
- Gardening - we grew some really great vegetables this year and have a perpetual supply of fresh herbs and salad - all on a 3′X6′ patio deck!
Kathlyns last blog post..Not a real post
November 14th, 2008
Mastering the skill of accurate thinking and learning to do away with thinking errors has gone a long way in making my life more simple. Kind of like what Ross was saying about how he’s learned to let go of nit picking. I’ve learned to get rid of the junk in my mind that clutters the beauty of the real world around me.
Jennifers last blog post..A Source of Huge Frustration
November 15th, 2008
Hi, Sara: This was great food for thought, and I may have to continue thinking about it, but here’s what comes to mind, now: (1) quiet time—it’s hard to find! Learning to cultivate it and being adept at sinking into it helps clear my thoughts, relaxes me, centers me (2) thinking outside myself, seeing the bigger picture; this helps me stay on a more even keel when things happen, bringing a balance (3) keeping confidence, faith, and a positive outlook—not always easy, but it works wonders, and I apply it as many ways as I can. As I look at these, I see they’re mental skills, and mightn’t be what you expected, but I believe they’re skills, anyway.
Julies last blog post..A Dozen Roses for All of Us
November 15th, 2008
I think this is more about choice than skill…
1. I don’t have a mortgage.
2. I outsource cleaning my house and cooking once a week.
3. I spend time with my little boys, which always takes me back to the basics.
Stacey / Create a Balances last blog post..21 Reasons to Schedule a Weekly Night Out for Yourself
November 15th, 2008
Great thoughts! I need to take up sewing again…
That’s what I love about walking and writing. You realize that your own imagination and creativity are limitless; you can do anything. And when you realize what you are capable of… everything falls into place pretty quick!
Sagans last blog post..Analyzing Stress and Control Issues
November 16th, 2008
Sharon: Knowing limitations–I get that. It can be the difference between spinning your wheels and accomplishing your dreams.
Andy: No kidding–being able to effectively use the resources of the Internet is most definitely a skill. Just ask any senior who feels comfortable on the Internet for the first time!
Deborah: Reading has also saved me tons. Hours of entertainment and enrichment for practically zilch! I’d forgotten to think of literacy as a skill, but you’re right.
Adam: Fellow history major here. I totally agree: learning to analyze and synthesize so many different perspectives is definitely a life-altering skill. I may have forgotten all the dates, but I haven’t forgotten how to put together evidence and lay out an argument.
Jennifer: For me, sewing is best as just a hobby. I sew occasional pieces, mostly things I couldn’t find (or afford) in a store (cigarette pants and brocade skirts have been a couple of my favorite projects). Overall, though, I find that it keeps me off the fashion treadmill.
Katie: I love seeing your comments every Wednesday! “Letting others be themselves”–that truly is a skill. Thanks for the reminder.
Ross: I would absolutely count not worrying so much as a skill. Talk about freeing up time for better things!
Vinay: Simply beautiful. Thanks for adding your perspective.
Jeff: I couldn’t function without the skill of culling. Separating what’s important now from what was once important is definitely a skill that makes like simpler.
David: I really wish I was member of the cooking crowd. I can get by, but my husband is the real master of making delicious meals.
Jean: Ditto on the mending. From clothes to stuff, getting the maximum life out of an object makes life simpler and way more affordable!
Eric: Task-setting–what a great skill! While I’m not the best at this, I’m thinking that this certainly something that can be learned and practiced over time.
Val: I second you on learning to use a library. I actually can’t imagine life without one.
jrandom42: I love your take on analysis. It goes so much further than just academics. Being able to analyze a situation is actually a survival skill in my book!
Chris: Fortitude–I love it. You do have go against the grain to live simply. Not being apologetic about it is what makes it a sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle. Loved your take on this!
Vered: I’d argue on your behalf that the ability to say “no” to stuff is a skill. It’s just one that you’re really, really good at.
Stacey: Yoga is a cool response! You get exercise, peace of mind, and a sense of competency and growth, all from the same activity. I’m not big on multi-tasking, but this might be the exception.
Jane: I really enjoyed your perspective–that closing a book isn’t a “forever” thing. It’s just a way of keeping your focus where it should be in a given moment. Thanks for that!
Marelisa: As long as your brain is fighting shape (we know your is!), manual skills are yours for the practicing.
Eric: Thanks for sharing your ideas–I love getting readers’ perspective! Geek skills are some of the most flexible it seems. The ways of applying them are endless. And thanks for going with on relaxing–I had a great time “practicing” that particular skill this weekend!
Wendy: I have my mom cut my hair, too! Because I’m so used to it, I can’t imagine taking the time and energy of getting it done professionally.
Barbara: Journaling is certainly a skill–one I hadn’t considered. It takes practice, commitment, and a willingness to be honest.
Maya: Silliness! What a perfect answer! I love it.
Val: I love that you included both discipline and imagination together–I’m not sure I could come up with a more empowering combination! And I get where you’re coming from with photography. Having a hobby that makes you see the world in a different way is a true gift.
Carla: “Being able to put together chic outfits from thrift, consignment store and yard sale finds is more of a skill for me.” Me, too! Plus, it’s just fun, right?
Kathlyn: “Loving home.” That’s a great way to put it. Having a deep appreciation for the pleasures of home is something I’m happy I have naturally. If not, it would be well worth cultivating.
Jennifer: Sorting between mental clutter and accurate thinking is a life-changer. I think that’s probably something I could use more practice with–thanks!
Julie: What a cool thought–thinking outside oneself. It does make life simpler, since things don’t have to be taken so personally. Perspective a big part of simplicity, so seeing the bigger picture is vital–great point!
Stacey: I’ve been considering outsourcing the housecleaning off and on. I’m torn, since frugality is a big deal to me, but the benefits seem clear. Really, I love your whole list!
Sagan: “And when you realize what you are capable of… everything falls into place pretty quick!” Ain’t that the truth?! That may be the most important piece of the puzzle: knowing what you’re capable of and choosing to go for it.
November 16th, 2008
Patience is an important skill. Self-Discipline is an important skill. Reading as well. My kids have just begun learning how to crochet and sew and it’s one of the neatest things to watch!
PizzaForADream.coms last blog post..Give It All You’ve Got
November 17th, 2008
PizzaForADream: You’re not kidding on the patience, and being around young kids is by far the best way I’ve found to develop it!
November 18th, 2008
1. Gardening.
2. Wonderful Relationships.
3. Ability to not let things get to you.
Squawkfoxs last blog post..10 Ways to Build a Resume Like a Professional Resume Writer: The Do’s
November 24th, 2008
Squawkfox: “Ability to not let things get to you.” If you ever want to teach me how to do this better, I’m all yours!
December 16th, 2008
Better late than never, I hope! I just found your blog and am loving it. I think I’m inspired to finally start my own after years of telling myself it would be a great experience and then immediately starting the self-dissuasion campaign.
1) Cooking (my absolute favorite thing to do)
2) Asking for help when necessary (the absolute hardest thing to do sometimes)
3) Expressing gratitude (the thing that’s easiest to forget to do)
Add a comment