There will always be a significant but vociferous minority who do not get my ideas on Simple Living and will gladly tell me why I am wrong. They will strawman Simple Living so that they can criticize or pooh-pooh it. Maybe they feel threatened by my Simple Life because it is a negation of their materialistic values. However, what I have realized over the years is that this dismissive attitude is often due to their misconceptions about Simple Living. Today, I want to clear up some misconceptions by sharing five things Simple Living is not about.
Simple Living is Not about Deprivation

One of the myths about Simple Living is that it is going without or living an impoverished life despite having the means to live better. The critics and sceptics conjure up images of wealthy misers who nevertheless live in penury, à la Silas Marner in George Eliot‘s eponymous novel. People often think that Simple Living means Spartan austerity, where one foresakes all the joys and comforts of life for a higher ideal.
Photo by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash
However, Simple Living is not self-induced deprivation. It is choosing quality over quantity and deciding what truly adds value to my life. Living Simply is about having meaningful choices rather than engaging in conspicuous and never-ending consumption, and about eliminating decision fatigue from my life by finding happiness in simplicity and frugality. Especially when it comes to possessions, I am trying to follow Marie Kondo’s suggestion that beyond the bare necessities of life, one only keeps things that “spark joy”.
Simple Living is Not about Being Perfect
Some think that Simple Living requires achieving a perfect aesthetic worthy of a piece in a housekeeping magazine or an Instagram reel. Imagine unblemished white walls, matching furniture, perfectly folded linens, and well-arranged houseplants. However, such images are far from my idea of Simple Living because I do not fall into the trap of perfectionism where I constantly feel inadequate and unsatisfied.
My practice of Simple Living has been far from being perfect. My family and friends still tease me when they see clutter in my house or work area. I am not too far from the background hum of social media that unceasingly attempts to make me buy something I don’t really need. For me, Simple Living has been a lifelong process and never-ending journey, not a destination that I can someday arrive at. It is about doing the best I can with what I have and be happy even when things are less than ideal.
Photo by Humairah L. on Unsplash

Simple Living is Not about Escaping Responsibilities
Some associate Simple Living with a carefree existence that allows one to escape the responsibilities and realities of adulthood. A practitioner in Simple Living has simply run away from bills, people, meaningful work, and social contributions. Far from it, I believe that Simple Living actually makes me live with clarity and purpose while meeting my responsibilities towards my family, myself, and society at large.

For me, embracing simplicity has helped me manage my responsibilities more effectively. By reducing distractions, I’ve been able to focus on what truly matters—whether it’s spending quality time with my family, staying on top of my work, or pursuing hobbies and interests that bring me joy. Simplicity doesn’t mean shirking responsibility; it means approaching it with a clear mind and a full heart.
Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash
Simple Living is not about Following Rules
For me, there is no guru of Simple Living. WH Davenport Adams may have set me on the path towards Simple Living, but he was not my Moses with a one-size-fits-all formula for Simple Living that is set in stone. While there have been many thinkers who have given me ideas on how to live simply, my Simple Life is not restricted to a rigid set of rules. I don’t impose arbitrary limits, like owning a certain number of items or spending no more than a specific dollar amount per week. I do not think that they’re not a prerequisite for Simple Living.

For me, the key to simplicity is flexibility. I have decided what matters most to me and I let go of everything else. For instance, I’ve chosen to keep adding to my collection of physical books because that bring me joy, even though some might say I should only own a Kindle for simplicity’s sake. Simple living is about creating my own path, not adhering to someone else’s ideas about how I should live.
Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash
Simple Living is not about Isolation
Finally, Simple Living is often misunderstood as a solitary pursuit, much like a hermit-like existence, withdrawn from the hustle and bustle of society. But Simplicity doesn’t mean isolation; in fact, it has deepened my connections with others. I have learnt that I cannot be a manager of the world, nor do I have to be friends with everybody. I am as selective about my friends as I am about my possessions, and retain only those who add joy to my life.

By simplifying my life, I’ve made more room for meaningful relationships. I’ve learned to prioritize quality time with friends and family over superficial engagements. Simple Living has also allowed me to focus on community as well as being more present in my interactions.
Photo by Rémi Walle on Unsplash
Final thoughts
Simple living is not about deprivation, perfection, escaping responsibilities, following rules, or isolating myself from society. For me, Simple Living is an intentional choice that brings me closer to the life I want to live. It’s about finding joy in less, focusing on what truly matters, and creating space for the things that make life rich and fulfilling.
Over time, I’ve realized that simplicity is deeply personal. It’s about creating a life that aligns with your values and brings you peace. For me, that has meant decluttering my home, reducing my digital distractions, and being more mindful of how I spend my time. It’s not always easy, and I still have a long way to go. But the rewards—a clearer mind, a more meaningful life, and a deeper sense of joy—are well worth the effort.
If you’re considering a simpler life, my advice is to start small. Let go of one thing that doesn’t serve you, and see how it feels. Over time, those small steps can lead to big changes.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what does simple living mean to you? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments below!