9 Ways to Live a Simple Life in a Modern World
On one of my favourite slow mornings, I sat by the window with a warm mug in hand, watching the light shift across the room and listening to the soft chirp of birds outside. Nothing dramatic happened. And that’s the whole point.
Learning how to live a simple life in a modern world isn’t about running away to a farmhouse or living off the grid (though it may seem picturesque). It’s about rhythm and presence – slowing down enough to notice the small, quiet things. In a fast-paced society, a simple life is less about where you are and more about how you move through your days.
This post is a collection of easy simple living tips you can try wherever you are, even in the middle of a city, to bring more space, calm, and presence into your daily life.
How to Live a Simple Life in a Modern World
1. Wake up with the sun
Not because you should, but because it feels good. There’s something magical about those first quiet hours – the streets empty, the light soft, and the day not yet pulling you in ten directions.
You don’t need a perfect morning routine. Simply open your window, feel the cool air on your face, and take a few slow breaths before the world begins to hum. Waking with the sun is less about productivity and more about starting the day with calm intention.
2. Grow something, anything
A pot of basil on the kitchen windowsill. A few herbs on the balcony. Maybe a trailing plant climbing your bookshelf.
You don’t have to become a gardener to experience the joy of growing something. Tending to a plant, even watering a single mint sprig, is a reminder of patience and care. In a world where everything feels instant, watching something grow slowly is a small but powerful act of rebellion.
3. Bake from scratch
There’s a peculiar magic in kneading dough by hand – the softness, the stretch, the rise. Cooking or baking from scratch is one of the most grounding rituals we have. Flour, water, time. That’s all.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Try baking a simple loaf of bread or even just cookies on a Sunday afternoon. The act of mixing ingredients with your hands and waiting for them to transform into something warm and fragrant is deeply satisfying in a way pre-packaged food can never replicate.
4. Hang laundry in the sun
If you have space, peg your clothes on a balcony or near an open window, and let them sway in the breeze. Inhaling that sun-dried scent – warm cotton, air, and light – feels like therapy in the smallest form.
Even if you live in a flat or apartment, you can hang a few pieces by the window or on a drying rack and notice how this simple act slows you down. There’s no button to press or cycle to wait for. Just the sun and time doing what they do best.
5. Spend time with animals (or watch them nearby)
Not everyone has chickens or pets, but even pigeons, sparrows, or the neighbour’s cat can remind us of a slower rhythm of life. Watch them – the way they move, eat, rest, and simply exist.
If you do have a pet, take time to sit with them without a phone in your hand. Animals don’t multitask. They don’t rush. Their presence alone can pull you back into the moment.
6. Walk instead of drive
Even if it’s just around the block, choose to walk. A slow walk through your neighbourhood or a local park can be enough to shift your entire mood.
When you walk with no destination, something happens: your thoughts untangle, your body loosens, and you begin to notice details you’ve never seen before – the shape of a tree, the way the light falls on a wall, or how the breeze changes. Walking is the simplest and most underrated form of meditation.
7. Let nature decorate your home
Bring in small reminders of the outside world. A single branch, a few wildflowers, or even dried leaves can soften the sharp edges of modern living.
You don’t need fancy decor or expensive houseplants. A sprig of greenery in a jar or a few stones from a walk can transform your home into a space that feels alive and connected to the seasons. Let these natural objects remind you that beauty doesn’t have to be bought.
8. Create by hand
Knit a small square. Mend a favourite shirt. Sketch something from your window. Press a flower between the pages of a book.
The point isn’t to produce something perfect. It’s about slowing down long enough to enjoy the process. In a world that values speed and convenience, making something with your hands – however small – feels radical. It’s a reminder that not everything has to be instant.
9. Make DIY gifts
A jar of homemade jam. A hand-written letter. A bundle of dried flowers tied with string.
Gifts don’t have to be expensive to feel meaningful. Taking the time to make something by hand, even something simple, is a way to show care. It says: I thought of you, I slowed down for you. In a culture of quick clicks and two-day deliveries, this thoughtfulness matters.
Living a simple life in a modern world isn’t about perfection or a total lifestyle overhaul. It’s about choosing slow, intentional moments that make you feel grounded.
Start with one of these easy simple living tips and let it unfold into something deeper. Over time, you’ll discover that living a simple life isn’t a mystery at all.
It’s just a matter of noticing what truly matters and letting the rest fall away.
For more like this, you might also like my guide to sustainability in everyday life – practical tips you can try no matter where you live.
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