This style is usually associated with girls in long, flowery dresses and bearded men living in a tiny home, but don’t think you need mason jars and a mountain view to live simply.
Between the bustle of classes and the long nights spent in Marston, it’s important to slow yourself down to focus on tending to yourself and your environment. Living simply isn’t necessarily about limiting yourself to the bare minimum. It’s putting an emphasis on living peacefully, comfortably and ethically, which are things we usually forget about in college.
I always thought of simple living as something that can be done after graduation. With inspiration from magazines, blogs and influencers, I’ve put more of an emphasis on living comfortably and slowly. It’s the most pleasant cleanse, making my new-semester stresses feel manageable.
If you’re also looking to clear things out and refresh your life, there are a variety of resources and influencers ripe with contagious motivation. Keep reading for some of my favorite places to fish for simple living ideas.
Pick up these magazines
Kinfolk is the go-to place for all things slow and calming. It’s built on a subtle and refreshing aesthetic, giving advice for design, life and culture. It’s practically the beginner’s handbook to simple living. From cozy to chic interior design articles, Kinfolk will have you spending the entire night revamping your space. The magazine keeps you inspired through unique perspectives on fashion, food and music.
You can find a more artistic take on the lifestyle in Cereal. One thing that I found interesting about this publication, as it is more art-oriented, is it’s seasonal playlists. Every track list includes 10 infectious techno-vibe songs and features hits from artists like 6lack and Drake. You can’t help but feel like you’re on the runway when you listen to it on your way to class.
If you’ve been struck by the travel bug, itching to learn about adventures and the best places to explore, Another Escape is an exciting read. From the mysteries of the fjords in Norway to the story behind clothing in Patagonia, there is so much to learn in this small magazine.
Joanna Gaines, a beloved member of the simple living community, created a magazine and industry based on her eye for cozy design, Magnolia Journal. Her subtle additives to spaces and recipes keep it clean yet personable and sentimental. Not that you’ll need or want to professionally design your college dorm or apartment, but there are easy ideas to DIY or find for cheap.
Follow influencers
Just searching #simpleliving on Instagram will unlock a whole world of aesthetic feeds. You can stumble into a deep pit of accounts to follow.
Anne Sage, a simple, yet cozy, interior designer, always shows how she designs her spaces and works on her projects. I love seeing her eye for softness and light in everyday things.
A go-to for all things simple food is Oh Honey Bakes. She crafts beautiful desserts that are usually on the healthy side (if there were a healthy side for desserts). Tiffany, the owner of the blog, covers everything from event cakes to morning treats. There’ll never be an occasion that you’ll arrive empty-handed for.
Windy Peak Vintage is an account I recently discovered and quickly fell in love with for her purely simple life. She may be the exact cliché of simple living because she lives more on the reclusive hippie end of the spectrum, but her style is so classic and comfortable. I love scrolling through her feed and catching details I never had before, applying it to my own style.
My personal favorite influencer for slow living is Polly Florence. I’m partial to books, so the fact that there’s usually a flat lay focusing on a novel makes me happy. She also includes ethical and natural skin care, photography pieces and bedside table settings (which I adore). Her color scheme and editing style may be my favorite aspects of her brand. Looking at her page feels like a hug, it’s incredibly warm and inviting.
Know that simple living isn’t an extreme process of trashing half of what you own and moving to the outskirts of some rural town. It’s enjoying life and making it as peaceful as it can be.
Hopefully, it’s your inspiration to take a breath today.