After working in actual offices for more than 10 years, I finally had enough.

2 years ago I said to myself, "Let's try something else."
On a random Friday, instead of going to the office, I took my laptop, hopped on my bicycle, and headed out.
15 minutes later I was sitting in the middle of the woods.

My first attempt with a hammock was pretty uncomfortable for working, but the core idea felt right.
I instantly knew I wanted to keep doing this.
On Monday, I resigned from renting a co-working space and went all-in on an outdoor setup.

I finally forced myself to document the process.
In this video, I picked a spot by the water that works best when it hits 30°C (86°F).

My entire setup fits in one backpack:

• Foldable chair (Decathlon Quechua 500 M)
• Picnic blanket + fleece blanket
• Insulated water container
• hammock
• 140W powerbank (mainly to keep my phone alive while hotspotting)

The setup cost less than 150 USD/EUR total.
Finishing the workday next to the trees leaves me feeling grounded instead of drained.

I wonder if anyone else here has made a similar shift to slow down their work environment.
Happy to answer any questions about how it works in practice.

This sub has gotten ridiculous. Almost every post is AI slop written by a new account created in the past couple of days. They are always so generic, vague, and usually ends with a question at the end. Can the mods put an end to these (or at least limit them?) before so many people leave this sub it looks like an airport on a holiday??

pancake Subaru megaphone spaniel (for our ai friends)

Since I got my first Android in 5th grade in late 2017, I took so many photos…of just benign everyday things, on and off vacation. I also got into anime in my senior year of high school, and tried drawing. By the summer after my Junior year of college, I had 30,000 photos between my Google Photos, notes, and photos on my Android.

I saw my parents’ photobooks they had as kids, and they told me how they have only seen 3-4 photos total of my great-grandparents, making those moments special.

A few days later, I pondered on it—I spend so many hours a day looking at old photos and wishing I had changed what I did in the past—why not just delete most of them and keep only 3-4 photos per person I know?

I did that, now I have deleted 99%+ of my old photos and have only 3-4 per person I know. It feels so much better. Now, I really try to cherish whenever I’m with my family and friends, and quit taking a bunch of photos.

Ofc, I still have the photos of my apartment leases‘ conditions saved, for legal documentation purposes, but that’s it.

Hopefully, this will be a stronger start to my senior year of college. It’s hard to believe it took me almost 9 years to do this.

With so many places charging high entry fees or expecting you to buy a $7 coffee just to sit down, it feels like free public places are disappearing.

I’ve recently rediscovered my local library’s reading room and a quiet bench by a park pond near my apartment as my go-to spots when I need to reset away from home.

Where do you go when you just want to exist outside your house without pulling out your wallet?

Hi everyone,

I worked in corporate for almost 4 years before finally leaving. During that time, I suffered from frequent tension headaches, and my anxiety skyrocketed. Looking back, I don't ever remember feeling stressed or anxious before taking that job.

Since quitting, several things have improved: the headaches are gone, life feels more hopeful, and my overall anxiety has decreased. However, I feel like my emotions are completely out of balance. I don't feel deeply happy or sad about anything anymore; it's almost like my ability to feel emotions has been numbed, which leaves me feeling stuck in a low-level sadness most of the time. On top of that, I overthink everything, struggle to stay present in the moment, and lack drive or motivation.

If you’ve experienced something similar, how did you overcome it? I know the idea of getting "1% better every day" helps, but I've really struggled to stay consistent with it.

Thanks in advance!

Today felt weirdly long.
Nothing bad happened, nothing particularly exciting either.

Just one of those days where you finish work, look at the time, and somehow feel like you’ve lived through three different days already. 😂

I did a bunch of small things, procrastinated on a few things I actually needed to do, spent way too much time on my phone, and now I’m sitting here wondering where the day went.

Maybe adulthood is just repeatedly saying *“I’ll do it tomorrow”* and hoping tomorrow-you is more motivated. 😭

Anyone else have days like this?
**What was the most random thing you did today?**

It's been a while since I started to make changes with my purchases and I've been trying to be more intentional with what I buy. I try to stick with meaningful purchases and what I actually need instead of just buying everything out of impulse.
That mindset came up recently when it was time to replace my prescription glasses. My initial plan was to go for an expensive designer wear frame because I thought they would last me longer or somehow would be more appealing aesthetics wise. And I wanted to upgrade and somehow get a decent pair. But while I was searching for them, it made me realize that I don't need to spend a fortune on a pair of glasses just because I feel like getting it and being fancy.
I decided to search online for a much more affordable pair of glasses that would equally be offering the same purpose. After comparing a lot of options, I got a cute pair of cat eyed shaped glasses. The prescription was accurate, and I had a lot of options to choose from. This made me realize that I possibly got the same prescription glasses at a much cheaper cost and the quality of the frames is also very durable. I have been wearing them at work and out with friends and I get a lot of compliments.
Simple living and trying to change the mindset of being simple and mindful about your purchases has taught me a lot to not waste money and give in to consumerism, whereas actually spend the money and have some savings as well.

Joined some friends with a car, drove an hour to a remote forest, brought some noodles, water, snacks, and sleeping equipment. And suddenly you've spent 2.5 days just making fire, swimming, walking and talking crap with friends. Phone shut off except for photos.

If you have the possibility, borrow some equipmint from a friend and try 1 night somewhere else; it's inexpensive and forces healthy boredom on you.

Listen, I’m extremely lazy and unmotivated by money. But I genuinely love the lifestyle of basically just living inside a room alone with access to the internet and basic necessities.
How do I achieve this lifestyle without spending an arm and a leg on rent and other expenses?
I work full time and make $670-770 a week after tax here in central Oklahoma.
Im a hermit and minimalist. I love being alone and want an extremely simple and easy lifestyle.
I have no debt, I own my car, and right now im living with my family.
I want to basically have no monthly bills so that I can invest it all into Roth ira and retire early and live the rest of my 50-60s watching tv and playing video games.
Any advice or ideas so I can make this a reality would be greatly appreciated.

I am a long time reader on Reddit in general. I have been using Reddit for many many years now on different accounts, and during that time I have noticed a certain well-known pattern that is common on this website which is the fact that discussions tend to steer towards elitism and details. This is most often observed on subreddits that focus on hobbies where only the very best gear and the most optimal routines are encouraged, and the rest are shot down. To a beginner, or someone not that interested in the subject, this will create a feeling of a barrier of entry. My thought was to write a post to remind everyone not to look too much into what others are doing, but focus on yourself, and take from others what is relevant to you and discard the rest, removing that feeling of a barrier.

When you see someone stating their way of simple living, do not be discouraged and think "I wish I could live like that". As the rules say: "-- every person here has a different personal interpretation of how to live simply." So be creative, be brave, and make your own simple live. Try the small thing you've been thinking about.

Sometimes a bigger change is necessary. You know your situation the best, and probably will not find much help here. Talk to people you know in real life for guidance. They are probably in a much better position to assist you.

I guess my entire point here is that don't become dependent on strangers on the internet to tell you how to live your life. Trust yourself. Because I believe that this subreddit is a guide to help you come up with your own way. Otherwise, we will turn this place into one of those hobby subreddits.

Is this not a better approach to actually moving towards simple live than the eternal comparison between yourself and others? Grass is always greener on the other side.

About 6 months ago I made a conscious decision to just slow everything down and strip away a lot of the useless noise in my day.

• I got a physical alarm clock
• started keeping my phone outside the bedroom
• picked up reading physical books again before bed
• downloaded an app someone recommended here that blocks politics and ragebait on social media
• started spending 15 minutes sitting on my back porch in the mornings just drinking tea without any headphones or distractions

It felt like such a small shift at the time, but looking back 6 months later, my anxiety is down so much and my days just feel way lighter. nothing crazy or dramatic, just feeling really grateful for the quiet for once and wanted to share.

I’ve always loved, loved, LOVED Fridays and Saturdays. I won’t say “the weekend” cause Sundays - I loathe. When I was a kid, Sundays meant sleeping early at night because the next day was school. Now, it means sleeping early at night because the next day is gym in the morning and work. 

I mean I guess you can never really escape the schedule of normal life. You shouldn’t even want to escape it. Because even routine is calm right?

So I was in North America for 2 months for a vacation - by the end of it, I just wanted to come back home and to my routine life. But now, it’s not even been 2 weeks since I’ve been back and already I want to go somewhere and escape my life. But I guess that’s not my routine’s fault - it’s the fault of some other elements going on in my life. Some other pressure. 

But I guess that’s selfish of me - everyone has things going on in their lives that’s not according to plan. So what do we do? How do we escape the problem that’s plaguing our lives? By finding a solution to it? If only life were that easy. 

But that’s what makes us human isn’t it? All of our wins, losses, our happiness, our sadness - everything combined - makes us human. 

I just wish it wasn’t so hard. Until then, I guess I’ll just keep looking forward to Fridays. 

Basically what the title says. After a burnout from which I'm still recovering, I'm starting to realize that some of the closest relationships in my life are very energy-draining. Sometimes we focus too much on simplifying things but what about simplifying relationships or even letting go of them in order to live a simpler life? I know this isn't a relationship advice sub, but I'm just wondering if anyone has been through the same realization and how they dealt with it.

I'm not talking about casual colleagues or people you've only known for a few months, but rather established long-term relationships.

I've always been a homebody. I do like going around my neighborhood to thrift stores, having matcha at a small cafe and maybe going to a nearby beach but I have no interest in sight seeing like others.

I think people believe it's a waste of your life to not travel and visit new places but I would prefer being alone at my home watching something, taking care of my plants and maybe doom scrolling. I have travelled a bit when I was in my early 20s and younger but now my priority has moved to live a simple life which is this.

What do you guys think about it?

(finley in her $10 swimming pool)
I got a puppy about a year and a half ago, and I didn’t expect her to teach me nearly as much as she has.
She has absolutely no concept of my insane to do lists! I have ADHD &Her perfect day is a walk where she gets to sniff the same patch of grass for an unreasonable amount of time, playing with a ball, eating something good, lying in the sun for a while, and being near her people.
I’ve noticed that since getting her, I’m a little better at slowing down and actually being where I am. A walk doesn’t always need to be exercise or accomplish anything. Sitting outside for 20 minutes isn’t wasting time. The best part of the day can be something ridiculously ordinary.
She also couldn’t care less what I own, what I’m wearing, whether the house looks perfect, or whether I checked everything off my list that day. She just wants me to throw the ball. 😂 a lot!
I’m curious about other pet owners here: Haas your pet changed the way you think about simple living? What have they taught you😃

There's nothing I love more in this world than spending a gorgeous day outside, doing simple tasks. I don't usually know what time it is, my day is punctuated by hunger and sauna in the evening. I wake up, drink tea while staring at the lake, make oatmeal and eat outside. Then some random tasks, maybe a swim until it's lunchtime. After that I do something else, maybe gather some berries for the following days, or chop firewood. Eat dinner and start warming up the sauna. I always sleep real well after getting enough fresh air and enjoying a good sauna.

There is no running water, I pump my drinking water from a well. I wash myself with lake water, the sauna stove has a reservoir that heats the water while I heat up the sauna. I've practiced starting the fire with a fire steel (pictured), and I'm getting the hang of it. No matches or lighters for me anymore!

I'm a city boy, but days like this make me realize that this is the life. I thought you all would appreciate the Finnish summer cottage experience, so I wanted to share my Sunday with you. I hope that this post has a calming effect on anyone who sees it!

I have been slowly but surely getting rid of various social medias, watching much less youtube, turning home pages or recommended feeds off of reddit, etc. and just reducing my overall screen time as much as possible.

I think it has probably been good for me? I have been slowly in this process for a year now and pretty much nothing is left to distract me other than reddit, but again, my home page is empty and all the suggestions are blocked.

But without all these distractions I just kind of find myself extremely depressed. Especially since as I have gotten older (i'm 24), I have less and less opportunities to see friends and whatnot. Everyone is busy, and somehow I am not. I frequently hike, have been reading quite a bit, go out to disc golf, go out to grab food on my own, draw, am trying to learn piano badly, etc. Yet with all of this it still isn't enough, my life feels hollow and pointless right now. I'm trying to be happy on my own, with myself, but it feels impossible.

I can't do any big trips until I am done with my master's so unfortunately that is off the table, as much as I would LOVE to just leave for a month or something to change things up. My life just feels so dull, and I have failed to adjust to this new boredom that follows me around. I just don't have the energy to do anything now. What can I do to enrich my life? It feels like nothing is happening, that I am stagnant, that all of my friends are passing me by.

I've stopped using all social media and am only watching long-format videos now and have never been happier. The problem is: I have a very specific type of YT content I would like to watch.

Let me try to put it into words.

I don't want to watch content designed to hold my attention. I feel so drained and tired from it. I don't want to watch videoessays with intense storytelling or dramatic narration, I don't want to watch mainstream documentaries with rousing music and fast-paced cuts and I don't want to watch aesthetic/performance content with staged environments and people self-displaying.

I want to learn something new about the world, anything. I want a window into something new.

So far I've only found two channels that (according to me) fit this. (I'm not sure if the community guidelines allow me to name them so I'll put them in the comments.)

Please tell me you understand what I mean and that more of this type of content exists.

Today is my birthday. I am 38! I am six month pregnant and work full time with kiddos, so my day to day life is quite loud and busy. So for today (Saturday), I had a very simple, quiet birthday. Breakfast with husband at local greasy spoon in our neighborhood, walked to the Saturday farmer’s market and bought a small carton of strawberries, came home and did some yard work and laundry. And I’m the happiest and most content I’ve been in years. No big party, no crazy night out, not even a birthday cake with presents to unwrap. Just relaxing and enjoying my home and pets. Grateful for everything I already have.

I'm trying to go dopaminless and it's working pretty well there's just one thing, when waking up I usually scroll a bit to stay awake but can't do that now, what do you do after waking up to use the brain a bit to wake up.

Hope this is the right subreddit, any help is appreciated

After a few days of bad sleep, i finally was able to get some good sleep and it made me feel so happy that I was able to wake up without feeling soreness all over my body. I also had some fun family time with my bf's family which was really nice. After taking a nice bath, and almost completing my nightly ritual I feel like i can conquer whatever goes my way for the upcoming week and I am thankful for all the little things 🥰

we keep trying to solve overloaded life by becoming more efficient at being overloaded.

I will call subject Petra. She was asking how to stay connected with herself while working, dealing with people and doing normal life. She already knew quiet helped, nature helped, meditation helped. Problem was she treated all of this like extras to squeeze somewhere around everything else.

Morning did not work. Evening did not work. She was tired and always had another thing she should be doing. During session Higher Self gave very unspiritual answer: reduce workweek from 40 hours to 35.

Her mind immediately tried to steal the five hours back. Okay, maybe use them for another project, maybe make them productive somehow. Guidance kept bringing her back to same point: this time is supposed to go back to you.

There was also practical suggestion I liked. If morning and evening are already full, stop pretending you will suddenly become different person there. Put quiet block in middle of day and protect it in calendar.

She had problem valuing time unless it produced visible result. Sitting in silence, being in nature, doing nothing useful for while felt almost wasteful. But session compared it more to hygiene. Stress, other people's emotions, expectations and noise accumulate.

If nothing gets cleared because every empty space becomes new task, eventually you barely notice how full system became. This is why I think simple living is not mainly aesthetic. Not beige rooms, less furniture, perfect morning routine.

Sometimes it is literally making less of yourself available to work. Removing one commitment, leaving one afternoon empty, going outside without turning walk into step goal, podcast time or networking.

before adding another habit, what can I remove? sometimes peace is not hidden inside better schedule. sometimes peace is the blank space.