Return to the Simple Life

How a Back to Basics Mentality Can Improve Our Wellbeing

I grew up on a farm on a dead end road in rural Wisconsin. An only child with no neighborhood kids, I savored time with the family dog, Murphy Brown, who was my BFF from age six until adulthood. I eagerly awaited any occasion we’d have company over to liven up the house. I was a quiet kid, often not contributing one word to the dialog. Listening to new conversations was exciting enough for me. 

A simple childhood life turned out to be all I needed to feel full of love and brave enough to try many new things in adolescence and adulthood. Unlike kids of today who are often expected to be three-sport athletes by kindergarten, I didn’t get consistently involved in sports until third grade when I fell hard for basketball. Then it was softball. Then volleyball and track to round out what became a hopping repertoire. I, of course, had friends to bum around with, but between actually liking schoolwork (except AP Calculus, sorry Mr. Baldwin) and loving sports, I always remember feeling pretty complete. I excelled in school, sports, and clubs and had friends and lots of family around. 

Reflecting back, I’ve concluded that it’s the simplicity that many of us, myself included, have been yearning for, without even being conscious of it. We set these lofty goals around the size of the house we need, the salary that would make our parents proud, the job that sounds the coolest to our peers. We go outward, compromise our true goals, rush until things aren’t fun, and we can’t put our finger on why. 

I suggest the answer is to turn inward toward our true selves. To me, going inward means stripping down to our authentic interests, avoiding excessive comparison with others, focusing on simple, whole food and exercise, participating in a larger community, and finding ways to show much love to many. 

I think most of us start out naturally living a simple life, and then as we age, things get complicated. Remember the version of you who liked what you liked and didn’t care if anyone else was into it? Remember the you who prioritized the basics of hearty food, a good night’s sleep, and being there for friends and neighbors? Nothing beats simply loving those around us purely for them and the fun we have together. My young sons are a pure example of this. They could care less whether their friend rides in a beamer to school, but if that friend can talk “fire-type Pokemon”? Now we are having fun. If kids can operate this authentic way, why not us adults too?

Keeping it simple also means living within our means and avoiding comparisons. Easier said than done, but I’m calling for a hard stop on keeping up with the Joneses. We’d have more peace of mind and the confidence that comes from knowing we don’t have to prove anything except to ourselves. I’d argue that this form of healthcare for the mind and soul is just as valuable as a regular check-up.   

Food is yet another area for simplification. We need practical ways to keep clean, whole food at the ready. It comes down to the basic “macros” we consume—if we get adequate, and not excessive, amounts of protein, carbs, and fat, we should be all good. As grocery bills continue to climb, could we call for a culture that is more reliant on local farms and butchers? I’d wager a turn inward and local when it comes to food could address not just nutrition, but also more connected and engaged communities. Besides, there may be no better medicine than sharing a home cooked meal with friends and family

Finally, I believe that socialization and community participation builds healthier societies. Overall, face to face interactions seem to be decreasing in place of online social platforms. And participation in activities like going to church where different types of people are forced to politely interact seems to be diminishing as well. One would assume that citizens who are actively engaged in the community tend to be the ones driving progress and feeling more fulfilled, at least more so than if they camped out on Facebook.

Simple also means spreading kindness.. I think we should remember to love our neighbors and love our families the old fashioned way. What’s one extra thing we can do for someone else today? Can we drop a casserole off for the new mom down the block? Intentionally make one-on-one time for the child we know is having a hard week? Or simply dish out a genuine, no frills compliment? All I’m saying is a handwritten letter or phone call on my birthday would go a lot farther than an Instagram like. Plus it just feels fully human to do these “old fashioned” kindnesses. 

So how do we formulate an intentional life where we return to these simple things? Authentically driven interests. Less emphasis on comparison and spending. Whole, healthy foods. Intentional, diverse social time and participation in our communities. And just being good to one another. Is it as simple as it sounds? 

Surely, we’d all have more health, fulfillment, and peace in our lives if we sought out the simple life.