Modern Day Amish Lifestyle
Looking to bring a modern day Amish lifestyle into your day-to-day routine? Whether it’s sharing laughs around the dinner table or enjoying a family game night, these easy tips can help you set aside the screens and reconnect with the people who mean the most to you.
This guide to simple living will help you focus on the values that truly matter.
Family over Hustle
Have you ever thought about how the Amish live? Like, really thought about it? Sure, we picture horse-drawn buggies, barn raisings, and those simple clothes, but there’s so much more to their way of life that is intriguing.
It’s not just about ditching electricity or living off the grid; it’s about values. Family over hustle, community instead of isolation, and simplicity in a world that just seems to get busier and less connected every year.
Kind of refreshing, right?
Here’s the thing, though. You don’t have to pack up, toss your phone, and move to a farm to bring some Amish-inspired values into your life. There’s beauty in their way of thinking that we can borrow, even in our fast-paced, tech-filled modern lives.
Stick with me here—I’m going to share why the Amish lifestyle is so inspiring and how you can work some of that magic into your everyday routine.
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Living the Modern Amish Lifestyle
If you admire the Amish and want to incorporate just a bit of their lifestyle into your own home, this guide will help you get started.
What We Love About the Amish Life
Before we get into how you can do this, let’s take a moment to recognize what makes their lifestyle so appealing.
1. Family Is Everything
For the Amish, everything revolves around family. They share meals every day, work together, and actually enjoy each other’s company. Sounds pretty different from the chaos of juggling work, soccer practice, and screen time, right? It makes you wonder if maybe they’re onto something.
2. Community and a Built-In Support System
One unique fact about the Amish is that they don’t “go it alone.” Need to build a barn? Your entire community shows up with tools in hand. Feeling under the weather? Someone will drop off soup or offer to watch your kids. It’s a network of people who genuinely have each other’s backs. When’s the last time you felt that kind of closeness in your neighborhood?
3. Simplicity Over Stuff
Here’s one we all secretly crave. The Amish strip life down to the essentials. They focus on what actually brings them value instead of drowning in clutter or chasing after the latest gadget. That grounded mindset lets them spend their time and focus on things that truly matter.
4. Hands-On Living
The Amish are widely known for being hands-on. They grow their own food, sew their own clothes, and could probably rebuild a chair before you could Google “how to fix a wobbly chair leg.” They’re deeply connected to the things they use every day. There’s something incredible about being able to say, “I made this.”
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5. STrong Values
Amish life isn’t about getting sucked into trends or chasing after what’s popular. They stick to their principles, no matter what the outside world is up to. That kind of steadiness can really make you stop and reevaluate how much noise and chaos we surround ourselves with.
And here’s the kicker—we know there’s something uniquely satisfying about these values. We want a stronger family bond, a sense of belonging, and fewer distractions. But plugging them into modern life? That’s where things get tricky … or does it? Let me show you how it’s doable, a little at a time.
How to Infuse Amish Values Into Your World
Seriously, you don’t need to go 100% all in to make this work. It’s really about being intentional and starting small. Here’s how you can take a cue from the Amish and reset parts of your life for the better.
1. Put Family First
If there’s one value that stands out in Amish homes, it’s that family always comes first. Most of us get so busy that we end up treating family time like something we squeeze in when everything else is done. But what if we flipped that script?
Try dedicating a specific time each week where everything else stops, and it’s just you and your family. No phones. No email. Whether it’s Sunday dinners, a Friday game night, or working on a small DIY project together, the point is to show up for each other.
Action Tip: Make family meals a priority. Even if it’s only two or three nights a week, sit down, eat together, and actually talk. You’ll be amazed at how much this simple ritual can strengthen those bonds.
2. Build a Stronger Community
We’ve all scrolled through Instagram feeling a little too connected to strangers and not at all connected to the people living next door. The Amish look at community differently. It’s not an afterthought; it’s woven into their daily lives.
Action Tip: Start small by saying hi to your neighbors or inviting someone over for coffee. If you’re feeling bold, consider starting a monthly potluck or joining a local group or club. The idea is to create real, face-to-face interactions that build connections.
3. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify
The Amish believe less is more, and they live it. Do we need every single streaming service? Every trendy kitchen gadget? A closet crammed full of clothes? Probably not. The beauty of simplifying is that it clears away the noise, so what’s left actually adds value to your life.
Action Tip: Try decluttering one small area, like that kitchen junk drawer (you know, the one that barely closes?). Getting rid of what you don’t need is surprisingly freeing. Bonus points if you do a mini digital detox for a weekend. Trust me, Instagram will still be there on Monday.
4. Learn or Relearn a Skill
There’s something deeply satisfying about making something with your own two hands. You don’t have to start weaving your baskets, but picking up a practical skill like gardening, baking bread, or woodworking can be incredibly satisfying. Plus, these activities have a way of slowing you down and letting you appreciate the process.
Action Tip: Commit to trying one new skill this month. Maybe start a little herb garden on your windowsill or learn how to bake a loaf of bread from scratch. These are things you can be proud of and enjoy at the same time.
5. Appreciate the Simple Things
The Amish don’t measure happiness by the size of their house or the brand of their car. It’s about gratitude for what they have. And honestly? Shifting our mindset like that could be life-changing.
Action Tip: Start a gratitude journal. Every day, jot down three things you’re thankful for, whether it’s your morning coffee, a great conversation, or just the fact that the sun is shining. Over time, you’ll find yourself focusing on what you do have instead of what you don’t.
6. Slow Down
One of the best lessons the Amish can teach us is the value of living at a slower pace. Our culture puts so much pressure on us to always be moving and always achieving, but slowing down lets you actually live in the moment.
Ever feel like the day’s a blur, and you can’t quite remember what you actually did? Living intentionally lets you hit pause, stay present, and break free from the cycle of running on autopilot.
Action Tip: Block off one hour a week where you do absolutely nothing. No multitasking, no productivity apps, just time to sit, read, reflect, or just daydream. Think of it as a much-needed reset button.
Less Hustle, More Heart
Here’s the bottom line. You don’t need to dramatically change your life to bring parts of the Amish lifestyle into it. It’s not about rejecting modern conveniences; it’s about being thoughtful about what we say yes to.
Take a few small steps. Start with those family dinners. Simplify a room in your house. Take the time to slow down and really be present.
These small yet mighty shifts can make a big difference in how connected, grounded, and fulfilled you feel. And who knows? You might just find that a little less hustle and a little more heart is exactly what you’ve been searching for.
More Simple Living Guides to Read:
- How to Practice Mindfulness
- 10 Facts About the Amish Way of Life
- Amish Cleaning Hacks
