Ways To Live Simply and Traditionally
“And make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and work with your hands…”
1 Thessalonians 4:11
I want to share a few ways that we can live more simply and traditionally. Most of these things are activities and habits that anyone can cultivate, no matter where or how they live. Traditional living doesn’t necessarily mean going back to the 1800’s. There are many people that want to maintain traditional values but still enjoy the benefits of modern technologies. You certainly don’t have to live off-grid and cook with a wood burning stove to live traditionally!
Now, keep in mind my friends, that this is not a checklist! Simple living is not something we arrive at or accomplish. It is something we have to nurture throughout our entire lives! Your version of simplicity or traditionalism is probably going to look different from the next persons. And that is a good thing! If you are called to a simple, traditional life much like myself, you may feel a pull towards certain areas and an indifference toward others. For example, I love making all my breads homemade and tending a garden. But soap making? I truly have no desire to learn. Maybe someday when I have an adequate work space, but in this season of my life I’d rather purchase my soap and focus my time on other things. Dive into the areas that interest you, and certainly never feel like you have to do it all! Without further ado, here are over 50 ways you can live simply and traditionally in all areas of life.
Kitchen
Limit packaged foods
Cook from scratch
Keep a well-stocked pantry
Can and preserve your surplus
Buy your food from local farmers (meat, dairy, eggs, honey, maple syrup, produce, etc)
Go to farmers markets
Sign up for a CSA share
Keep chickens for eggs
Cook frugal meals
Make your own pickles
Compost your food scraps
Ferment foods
Bake sourdough (wild yeast) breads
Make homemade jams
Eat homemade biscuits with butter and jam
Wardrobe
Dress modestly
Wear an apron around the house
Learn to mend and darn old clothes
Purchase clothes secondhand
Wear dresses and skirts
Finances
Live debt-free/without a credit card
Live within your means
Maintain a savings account
Purchase things cash-on-the-barrel
Work With Your Hands
Learn to sew
Sell the work of your hands by starting a business
Learn to quilt
Learn to knit
Grow and maintain a garden
Pick and arrange flowers around the house
Learn to make a braided rag rug
General Life
Count your blessings
Attend a small, Bible-teaching community church
Nurture your faith
Make homemade gifts for birthdays and holidays
Repurpose and recycle
Be generous
Practice hospitality
Cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit
Household Chores
Make your own laundry detergent
Keep a homemaking/cleaning schedule
Chop wood and heat home with a fireplace
Apothecary
Grow, dry, and use medicinal herbs
Forage and use medicinal wild plants
Make your own soap
Make your own cleaning supplies
Keep a first-aid/preparedness kit
Boost your immune system naturally
I have linked any blog posts that correlate to each topic, but feel free to browse our entire journal archive for more inspiration on living simply and seasonally. I plan to write more content regarding most of these topics, and will continue linking as I do! What are you favorite ways to cultivate a traditional or simple lifestyle? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Until next time,
Kaetlyn