5 Ways I Embrace a Simpler Life while Living in a City
Over the last year or two, I’ve found myself enjoying the idea of more homesteading in my day-to-day life. If you’re not sure what homesteading even is; the easy way of putting it is saying it’s living a more simple, self-sustaining lifestyle, and typically most people who homestead grow their own food. When people think of the word “homesteading”, what comes to mind is usually a large plot of land with a garden and/or farm. While I admit, I too think of this (and dream of it!), the reality is that a lot of people – myself included – don’t have access to a large piece of land, or maybe even any outdoor space at all.
Because I’ve fallen in love with the idea of homesteading, I’ve spend the last couple of years finding ways that I can bring some of these practices into my city-living experience. Is it perfect? No. But nothing is! So let’s break down some of the ways I’ve scratched the itch of living more simply in city life.
01. Home Decor
I think one of the most obvious, yet most difficult ways to emerge myself in a more homesteading type lifestyle, was discovering that it is actually also what I consider to be my personal style when it comes to my home decor. I love to focus on incorporating natural fibres like wood & wickers throughout my home, while sprinkling in some colours here and there. My personal favourites are soft blues & greens, warm brown, white and even some pink for a warmer tone! I’ve linked some of my favourite items in my home below.
02. Gardening & Bringing the Outdoors Inside
I think gardening is what I have to thank for introducing me to the homesteading lifestyle. Though I don’t independently rely on gardening to grow food, I grow what I can in my limited outdoor space on my balcony. I generally like to grow herbs, radishes and tomatoes as they seem to do well in the conditions that we have, but maybe one day I’ll be able to expand and rely on my own garden a bit more for food. I also love growing cut flowers like snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos, ranunculus & anemones as well, and I’ve even learned how to start vegetables, flowers and herbs from seed over the last few years. I’ve linked some of my favourite gardening products for you below!
03. Checking out Local Farms
I know this one isn’t applicable to everyone, but I’m lucky enough to live somewhere that farms aren’t super hard to come across, and whenever I can, I like to go and hang out with the farm animals, see what it could be like to tend to various animals, and immerse myself in the idea of hopefully getting to be surrounded by these animals one day on my own farm! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to go in a while, but here’s hoping that later this summer, I can get back and hang out with some sheep, goats, cows & chickens!
04. Creating a Wardrobe You Love
Another place that’s helped me feel a bit more in touch with the general idea of homestead is through my wardrobe. Obviously this is going to be very personal, and not something that can be changed overnight. However, much like my home decor style, I’ve discovered in recent years that I don’t particularly feel drawn to street style, or trendy clothing, in fact, I’d venture to say what I wear is quite the opposite. I love long dresses (especially in a milkmaid style), overalls with a flutter tee, espadrille sandals, Birkenstock-type clogs and button-down shirts. Of course, I will say I do still love leggings, but who doesn’t?!
05. Just Enjoying the Outdoors
Lastly, but certainly not least, I’ve been making a much bigger effort to just be outside in general a lot more. As summer, and the intense heat quickly approaches, I’ll admit, it’s going to be tougher for me as that kind of weather and I are not exactly best friends… but while the mornings and evenings are still mild, I like to disconnect from my screens a bit more, and take my book (or e-reader) outside and enjoy throwing myself into a great story. Here are a few of my favourites lately.
If you’re like me, and have really been enjoying the idea of homesteading but you live in a city, let me know in the comments below what your favourite way of leaning into a simpler life while living in a bustling metropolis is!
* Note: Links and linked products featured in this blog post are commissionable links. Should you purchase a product with these links, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you.
