How to live amish without being amish
If you are looking for a way to live with more intention, this guide on living Amish without being Amish will help. How to incorporate amish daily habits into your modern aged day to be more focused on the the things around you.
How to live a simple life by adopting a few values that a simple community uses every day. This is a great way to bring joy and reduce stress in your daily life.
In our fast-paced world, many women find themselves looking for ways to live a simpler, more intentional live. The Amish lifestyle, with its focus on community, simplicity, and faith, continues to captivate a growing number of modern women. While adopting the Amish lifestyle entirely may not be realistic, although I am a fan of clothes drying on a line, incorporating a few of their routines may help you to be more present in your own life.
This guide is meant for anyone of any age who seeks to live with more intention. Whether you are a busy mom of toddlers or an empty nester, bringing the beautiful aspects of the Amish way into your own daily life is a great way to remove some of the stress and bring in a bit more joy.
Step 1: Simple Living and Cutting Back on Excess
So many times, we have more things than are needed, so I always like to start by taking a look at what you have in your home. By letting go of the extra things and the duplicates you will be off to a great start of paring down. Simple living isn’t just about minimalism; it’s also about intentional choices of the things you choose to give space inside of your home.
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Decluttering the Excess
Begin with one room at a time. Your goal is to have just enough things in a space that will help you to perform a task. For example, if you have 14 spatulas in your kitchen, paring that collection down to a more reasonable number of 5 will free up much-needed space. And in an Amish home, space is abundant throughout each room.
SLCG Pro Tip: Another positive outcome of paring down is less to clean around. The fewer knick-nacks you have on a shelf, the less you will need to move and dust.
Intentional Simplicity
Intentional simplicity means focusing each day on paring down on the stuff in your home, the stress in your days, commitments on the calendar, and the debt you owe. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Choose quality over quantity. Invest in high-quality items built to last.
- Swap out memories. Put up fewer photos and swap out pictures each month.
- Remove stress. Journal at the end of each day to remove any stressful events so you can sleep more soundly.
- Reduce debt. Make a goal to pay down each debt one at a time, starting with the smallest. Continue until you are free of debt and remove a large amount of pressure each time you pay something off.
Mindful Consumption
Before making a purchase, ask yourself if you truly need it. Mindful consumption aligns with Amish practices by avoiding unnecessary acquisitions and reducing waste. I like to make a wish list of things we want giving myself time to consider if we truly need it before we invest our money. This works with small purchases such as a new pair of shoes to large purchases such as a new car.
Take your time to think things through before investing your money into a new item.
Step 2: Having Schedules in Place
A structured schedule can promote a sense of control and calm in your day-to-day life. Embrace routines that work for you and your family, ensuring essential tasks get the attention they need.
Keeping an Organized Home
Use containers to corral items, giving a neater look to a space. Be sure to go through each container routinely, sorting things one at a time. Try to find a few items you can toss or donate to help pare down on the things you own.
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Cleaning Daily and Weekly Routines
Keeping a clean home does not have to monopolize your entire day. This is where routines will help keep your days more organized. Implement short daily cleaning sessions to stay on top of messes, and designate larger tasks for weekly cleaning days.
SLCG Pro Tip: Assign a room to each day of the week and do a quick cleaning in that room. Just 10 minutes to dust, sweep, and straighten up can keep your home neater.
More Cleaning Help:
Homesteading Chores and Routines
Having a daily routine for homesteading chores can help to keep the outside of your home streamlined as well. This can include spending time in the garden, tending to backyard chickens, or caring for livestock. Devoting to caring for a homestead will also get you out in nature and give your mindset a positive reset on what may be a hectic day.
Step 3: Cutting Back on Commitments
It’s easy to become overcommitted in our hyper-connected world. Finding balance means prioritizing commitments so you can keep your focus.
Putting Family First
Spend quality time with your family and friends. Like the Amish, place a high value on relationships and the time spent nurturing them. Here are a few ideas:
- Have a weekly game night.
- Start a family puzzle.
- Got for a walk with your spouse.
- Do a round robin potluck with friends.
- Host a book club.
Having a connection with people you care about gives you something to look forward to and a reason to start each day on a positive note.
It’s Okay to Say No
This was a lesson I learned a long time ago, and it was life changing for me. If someone asks you to do something and you are busy, it is okay to say no. As long as you are doing so in a kind way, there is no reason to feel guilty.
Be selfish with your time and your family’s calendar. Learn to decline commitments that don’t make you happy or you simply do not have time for. Saying no is an act of self-care and allows you to focus on what truly matters.
Strong Sense of Community
To truly succeed with a simple lifestyle, surround yourself with people who have the same goals. Engage with like-minded friends and neighbors to keep your goals positive and strong. Simplifying can be hard at times, by having a support system you will be more likely to stay on track with your goals.
Step 4: Mindful Technology Use
Technology can be a useful tool, but it can also be a time-sucking distraction. Let’s look at a few ways to help control how much you scroll.
Balancing Technology and Offline Activities
Offline activities are great mood boosters and something our minds crave. Be intentional about making time for offline activities such as reading, crafting, doing a puzzle, or simply enjoying nature.
Setting Boundaries
Establish tech-free zones in your home to encourage more family time. For example, you can put a basket in the kitchen for the family to drop off phones before sitting down to dinner. You can also invest in an alarm clock and let your phone charge in another room while you sleep.
Intentional Family Time
Designate specific times for family activities without the distraction of devices. The Amish like to spend time talking, reading, or praying after dinner. If you have a porch, put a few chairs on it and encourage your family to sit outside after dinner to talk about the day. This is a great way to keep connected with children who may otherwise check out with a family.
Step 5: Slowing Down
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily life can help you appreciate the present moment, reduce stress, and live more fully. Slow down and savor each day.
Practicing Mindfulness
Engage in mindfulness practices such as meditation, breathing exercises, or simply taking moments to be fully present with what you are doing. This one tip alone can completely alter your positivity in each day.
Daily Gratitude
Start and end your day with a reflection on the things you are grateful for. This practice can shift your focus to the positive aspects of your life. I like to write down three things I am thankful for at the start of each day. This helps me to be more aware of the beautiful things going on around me. The sound of the birds or the look of a clutter-free kitchen. By noticing the small things they can have a big impact on the rest of the day.
Morning and Evening Routines
Having a set routine to start and end the day can help put us in the right space. Make a short list of five things to do each morning to start your day off. Put this list where you will see it first thing so you remember. Also, have a list of tasks to do each evening before going to bed. Keep that list out where you will see it as a reminder to do your cool down. Routines can be incredibly helpful in removing unwanted stress and giving more attention to how you live your days.
By embracing these steps, you can begin to live a life with more intention, similar to the Amish, without necessarily adopting their entire way of life. Remember, the key to incorporating these principles is to do so in a way that aligns with your own beliefs and circumstances. Each small change can lead to a more fulfilling and present life.
