It’s 2025 and it feels like the world has gone crazy. I have never been more grateful than I am right now that I lead a simple life. For many, the appeal of simple living has never been stronger. This article explores why 2025 is the perfect time to embrace a simpler lifestyle.
1. Political (& Financial) Uncertainty
I don’t go into politics on this blog.
That being said, as a Canadian, it is almost impossible to ignore what’s happening around us politically at the moment. Our own Prime Minister is resigning and Canadian government is prorogued.
Meanwhile, our neighbor’s to the south have just inaugurated a new President who isn’t exactly acting neighborly towards Canada. It’s concerning.
These developments are new and causing a lot of fear and apprehension around the future of jobs and the future cost of living at a time when housing, food and transportation costs are a lot for most families to deal with already.
The financial benefits of simple living have never been clearer:
- Less financial stress (because you are spending less)
- Less debt = less payments
- Fewer monthly bills = families able to live well on less
- More savings = financial security for emergencies
- Lower costs to run your home (mortgage, insurance, maintenance)
2. Mental Health and Wellbeing
Simplifying your life is a key technique to reducing stress. There is a lot that we can’t control in the world around us, but inside our lives and the four walls of our homes there is much we can do.
Simplifying our lives allows us to:
- Slow down and spend our time where it matters most
- Reduce the number of commitments on our calendars
- Spend more time with people we enjoy the most
- Do more of what we love
- Find peace in doing and having less
3. Dealing With Digital Overwhelm
We are constantly connected. Information overload has become the norm – except there is nothing normal about it! As a society we are becoming more and more aware of the rise of digital addiction (both in children and adults) and its impact on mental and physical health.
Now is the time to:
- Introduce digital minimalism into our lives
- Make sure that we are using our technology intentionally…rather than our technology using us!
4. Dealing With Consumerism
We have so much stuff! Everything we own demands something from us. We have to pay for it, organize it, store it, clean it, perform maintenance on it, and use it. Even worse, we feel guilty because we bought it and are not using it!
Less stuff means:
- Better focus and clarity with fewer possessions
- More time and energy for what truly matters
- Greater appreciation for what you own
- Improved decision-making with fewer choices
- More physical space and room to breathe
- Freedom from the cycle of constant consumption
- More money in your pocket!
5. Environmental Concerns
There is growing awareness of the impact of our “consumption lifestyle” on the environment. We often hear conversations about climate change, shrinking glaciers, rising water levels, droughts, floods, and wildfires.
How simple living helps:
- Reduced environmental impact through mindful consumption
- Reduced consumption means less manufacturing and shipping impact
- Minimalist lifestyles typically result in lower energy usage
- Less waste production through conscious buying habits
- Focus on repairing and reusing items instead of replacing them
- Smaller living spaces require less heating and cooling
- Emphasis on local products reduces transportation emissions
- More mindful approach to water and resource consumption
6. The Return to Community
We’ve all heard the saying “It takes a community to raise a child”. I believe it takes a community for many other things too. Things like caring for our seniors, feeding families, assisting friends and neighbors dealing with life’s calamities (like the death of a loved one, chronic illness, loss of a job, or crazy shiftwork).
Simple living leaves you with time in your life to:
- Volunteer to help others
- Shift from materialism to meaningful connections
- Contribute to your local communities
- Support a sharing economy and collaborative consumption
Practical Steps to Simplify in 2025
Here’s a list of practical steps you can take to get you started on your journey to simplification and related posts to give you more inspiration and details:
- Eliminate commitments from your calendar (This post might help: Ultimate Hack To A Simple Life (Use The Word NO Daily))
- Minimize the number of bills that you pay monthly to get control of your finances (Simple Living Gives You An Edge in Today’s Economy)
- Intentionally spend less time on screens (tv, phone, computer, video games, etc.) Lifehack to Downgrade Your Life Fast (NO TV)
- Shop less and start living below your means (You Can Live Below Your Means (Here’s How))
The Simple Summary
Simple living was once considered a lifestyle trend.
More and more it’s becoming a necessary response to our modern challenges. By embracing simplicity, we can create more sustainable, fulfilling lives in 2025 and beyond.
