Embrace Simplicity: 10 Simple Practices for a More Old-Fashioned Lifestyle

Over the years, we’ve been told that our family is “different.” However, different isn’t so different anymore. The homespun approach to day-to-day life is becoming more popular, and I’m happy to see it! I would like to share with you a few simple practices we enjoy that you can incorporate into your days to help you welcome quiet simplicity and embrace a more old-fashioned way of life.

In our mad rush for progress and modern improvements, let’s be sure we take along with us all the old-fashioned things worthwhile.

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

10 Simple practices for a more old-fashioned way of life

Open the windows. There’s something peaceful about seeing a lace curtain gently flowing in the breeze. It’s almost as if your house is taking a breath of fresh air. Opening the windows welcomes in the sights and sounds of the outside: sunshine, bird song, falling leaves. It feels nostalgic and comfortable, offering a little bit of simple goodness to your home.

Use a clothesline. There’s nothing better than sheets dried in the sunshine! Line drying your laundry is more than just an old-fashioned aesthetic. It helps you become a more intentional and frugal homemaker, planning your laundry day according to the weather forecast. If the sun is shining, plan to wash early and get the clothes hung out with plenty of time for the sunshine to do the rest, all while saving a bit on your electric bill.

Plant a garden. What better way do we have to slow down and appreciate a simpler time than with gardening? Growing our own food takes us back to a time when gardening was more than just a past time, it was a necessity. Keeping a garden helps us take stock of what we eat and plan accordingly, while living with the rhythm of the seasons. And what a feeling of satisfaction you will have when bringing in a basketful of fresh vegetables from the garden!

Keep chickens. Just a few hens will provide you with a steady supply of eggs while also giving you the simple pleasure of watching them scratch about the yard. Chickens are the easiest livestock to keep. During the World Wars, it was encouraged for everyone to keep not only a victory garden but a victory flock to help supplement their food supply. A few hens can be easily kept in almost any backyard. 

Porch time. Have you ever watched an episode of Andy Griffith? If so, you have probably seen them sitting on the porch after supper. Aunt Bea might be doing a bit of sewing, Andy is likely picking his guitar with little Opie sitting by his side. Evening porch time deserves a comeback! Take a moment to sit and watch the day come to a close. Perhaps have some easy music drifting out onto the porch from the radio, or just sit and listen to the wind blow and the crickets chirp.

Have family meals. Family mealtime gives us the perfect opportunity to connect with each other around the table. This is something we have always made a priority in our home. No TV trays, no grabbing a plate and running, we make it a point to sit down and eat together as a family every day. If you’ve ever seen vintage photos or advertisements, they often depict the mother in the kitchen with her apron on, preparing supper, or a family happily gathered around a table. Take a few moments to set the table, enjoy a meal, and engage in good conversation with your loved ones.

Put out fresh flowers. Putting vases of fresh flowers throughout your house, whether picked from the roadside or bought at your local grocery store, adds a touch of freshness and life to your home. It creates a homey, welcoming space and encourages you to slow down and create something pretty with your hands. You may even want to plant a small cutting garden so you have your own fresh flowers on the ready throughout the growing season.

Hand wash your dishes. I know it might sound crazy to give up the dishwasher, but honestly, we haven’t had one in years. Dishwashers may seem more time-efficient, but handwashing doesn’t really take that long. While washing, it gives you time to think. You can start planning what meal you’ll be preparing next, put together a mental grocery list, or just give yourself time to wind down. Handwashing causes you to slow down and be more mindful and intentional with your task while allowing you to more carefully handle the cleaning of delicate dishes. It also gives you the opportunity to spend some extra time chatting with a family member while you work. “I wash, you dry?”

Entertain. Entertaining doesn’t have to be an extravagant event. It can be as simple as having a friend over for a cup of coffee or inviting loved ones to join you for dinner. Have an open door policy. Encourage friends to stop by for a visit when they’re in the area and be ready with a pitcher of sweet tea and a smile. 

Read the newspaper. If you spend your work day looking at screens, reading the paper offers a refreshing change while keeping you informed. There’s a flood of information available online, but sitting down at the table with a cup of coffee and a newspaper spread out before you, offers a completely different experience than scrolling from article to article. It’s simple, it’s quiet, and yes, it’s a little old-fashioned.

If you are seeking to live a simpler, more old-fashioned life, don’t overwhelm yourself by making too many changes at once. Choose a few simple things, possibly from this list, to incorporate into your daily routine. Then, slowly but surely, your life will shift, and you’ll find yourself living the kind of life you seek.

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