We millennials are starting to get a reputation.
And it’s a conflicting one.
On the one hand, we’re known for our courage, determination, and desire for justice in this world. On the other, we’re noted for being constantly distracted, absorbed in our technology, and unable to focus on one thing at a time.
The truth is, I see both in my own life and the lives of others in our generation. We’re more interconnected globally than generations past, opening our eyes to the biggest issues of our day. It’s not news to us that the world is large and diverse; it’s our reality. At the same time, this access to global information at the tip of our fingers leaves us distracted. Some of us never knew our neighbors growing up, or the feel of a local community gathering.
Some people think that this over-connected, image-driven culture is a problem we need to solve. I think it’s a reality we need to accept and use for good.
So where do we start?
Oftentimes I find myself asking the question: what if we didn’t fall into the traps that captured the generations before us? Would we be empowered to move faster, to dream bigger, to do more? Could we change this world more completely and more passionately?
[Tweet “What if we didn’t fall into the traps that captured the generations before us? via @daisylinshih”]
I want to live to see the fruitful answer to my questions. This is why I hope to encourage people (millennials, and folks of all ages) to focus on what matters most.
If we’re trying not to fall into the traps of previous generations, then perhaps what we need is a little simplicity. We need to not find our garages filled with junk 20 years from now before deciding that possessions aren’t the end-all-be-all. We need to focus now. We need courage now.
I think that there’s a lot of power in choosing to live simply. Whether we call it minimalism or something else, we can benefit from the ability to focus on one thing, or a few things, that actually matter.
(Related: Is There Still Space For Your Dreams?)
So how do we simplify? It’s not so obvious for us, perhaps because we haven’t had the time to accumulate too many material possessions. Those of us who have yet to get married haven’t experienced the influx of stuff that is the wedding registry.
Perhaps we can live simply in ways other than cleaning out the garage for good. Perhaps not all of us can quit our current jobs to pursue our passion alone, but we can choose our passions over other things that vie for our time.
So if you believe, like me, that we 20-somethings have the potential to change the world, I hope you’ll choose simplicity as a lifestyle!
10 Simple Living Tips For Millennials
1) Focus on relationships that give you life (and lose the ones that are poisonous).
Sometimes friendships with unhealthy people can be fruitful, but we need to say no to those that only hurt both parties involved.
2) Eat well, sleep enough, and stay active. Repeat.
Basically, what we all learned in kindergarten and forgot in adulthood.
3) Remove yourself from promotional email lists that make you buy things you don’t need.
Why let companies constantly whisper in your proverbial ear about what you don’t have?
4) Serve your community regularly and offer your resources to those in need.
You and I are rich. We can be generous on a budget.
5) Keep a gratitude journal.
Giving thanks everyday helps us remember that we already have enough.
6) Spend within your means and cancel unused credit cards.
Rescue yourself from this vicious cycle before debt becomes a (bigger) problem.
7) Shrink your wardrobe. Here’s why I did.
Let your actions, thoughts and words speak for you; not your clothes and accessories.
8) Do an occasional social media detox. Unfollow anyone who doesn’t inspire you to live well.
Let your unplugging be fruitful, and let your time on social media be productive.
9) Stop citing FOMO as the reason you’re doing things. And YOLO too.
Fear is not a good motivator, and here’s why.
10) Evaluate and review your priorities regularly. Then build your life around them.
If you know what matters most to you, then let that direct you. If you don’t know yet, it’s worth finding out.
Our hope lies in courage.
The world’s eyes are on us, and our hope lies in being brave. Simple living won’t change the world; people who live simply, however, will.
When we live simply, we see more of the unseen. We think with greater clarity about our dreams, our communities, and what the others might need from us.
And then, we have courage. We’re no longer hindered by the fear that comes from comparing our lives, or the frustration that comes from perfectionism. Instead, we can run the long race after what matters most.
[Tweet “Simple living won’t change the world; people who live simply, however, will. #minimalism”]
In what ways do you hope to simplify your life? I’d love to know!
*all photos taken by Alison and Adm at Alison Yin Photography.
For get better moments we need to give more times in our relation. Now for this reason there are so many people are face lot of problems.
For get better moments we need to give more times in our relation. Now for this reason there are so many people are face lot of problems.
This is great Daisy!!! I saw your post on Madison’s blog this morning and have been looking around more on your site. I totally agree with the gratitude journal!!!! I’ve been doing that for almost a year and it has totally changed my life. Also Lara Casey’s powersheets are a helpful tool as well…great post:)
Thank you Anna! And yes I’m so easily tempted to stay awake just because I “feel” awake– but I know a schedule is so much better for my body.
Another wonderful, insightful post, Daisy! It’s so true that technology has made us more distracted (I know I am… I feel like all I do is waste time online). I agree with all your points! But oh man, do I need to work on #2. I need to implement a sleeping schedule or something… some reason, it’s so low on my priorities list.
Thank you Hannah! I really appreciate that. And yes– it’s so interesting that our generation has been characterized with both assets: care for the world and deep insolence. Odd! I hope more and more of us will choose to live for greater things!
Thanks girl!! 🙂
Thank you so so much Gina!! I definitely agree– there’s nothing noble about simple living, unless we do something productive with our leftover resources. I hate that so many simple living / minimalism philosophies focus only on the needs of the self; it’s a good place to start, but not the place to end! Thanks for reading, friend!
Thank you Katherine!! It’s sad when I see people spending in order to fill voids– it’s tough to say that but so often, true. I’ve found so much more joy building relationships with people who understand the decisions I’ve made and support them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, dear friend!
Thanks Annie!! xo
Thank you Ashley!! 🙂 So glad you found this helpful, and thanks for reading.
Hahah, seriously– I love the style inspiration, but so often it makes me unhappy with the clothes I already own. Maybe it’s just me!
And thanks for the high praise, dear friend!
Thank you so so much Jeannette! That means a lot to me and I so appreciate you reading this and saying such kind words!
This is amazing! You have such wonderful points – It’s so sad that our generation struggles with the constant-distraction issue, but I love that we also have all of that passion and potential in today’s world!! Thank you for the well thought-out tips on keeping life simple while making a difference!
Um, #3 is real. And I’m working towards #7!
http://blog.jessicapei.com/
I am seriously so blown away by the post! All your points just make me say “yess!” I think a focus on living simply is such a great concept needed by our generation and society. While we can fall into clutter traps, both physically, digitally, mentally, etc. it is so important to get down to the core of who we really are and what’s important to us. I feel like my passion for minimalism and simple living goes up and down, but that’s when I compare it to doing material things like not spending, cleaning out my closet, taking social media fasts—all good things. But the heart of the matter is still there: we still crave having open communities, love for our neighbors and change in this world. Simple living is such a healthy context for all those things, and I just love how you promote that in such creative ways! I truly believe your words help keep me accountable and on the right track with living simply in my own life! Thank you for all of that! 🙂
What a great post!! I’ve been trying to live a much more minimalistic life. I think with living on my own (at least not at home with my mother) has opened my eyes. I totally agree with number 6 and 9! I see my friends partying, clubbing, shopping till they drop, and what not and I’ve realized that I don’t crave the fun of those activities or spending as much as my friends do. They always have a fear of missing out and they’re always spending money on things I think aren’t worth spending (at least within their means). I mean, I know people who drop serious cash on things that I guess are “trendy” when it could be used towards investments or a home! Such a great post!
Katherine Lou
http://www.wanderhour.com
you are wise beyond your years. such an exemplary list!!
Thanks for this post!! Number 3 truly hit home for me…currently disabling my LiketoKnowIt app to prevent myself from doing this again!
http://haveheart0814.blogspot.com/
NUMBER THREE!!!! Oh number three. I’m so guilty. Lord give me strength to cancel my free people email subscription X_x
Encouraging words and smart thoughts here — as always! Your blog is always a refreshing breather from the craziness of life that encourages me to start over again each moment in a simpler, healthier way =)
XO
http://www.threadandbones.com
Hello beautiful Daisy! What an amazing post! Reading every word you wrote gave me so much hope and inspiration. I wish I knew what I know now when I was in my 20’s and living simple is one of the things I wish I started practicing at an earlier age. And I am not talking about possessions only, I am also including everything you said from 1 to 10. You are such a marvelous young lady Daisy and I have no doubt you will continue to live an amazing life. Passing this post to my 19 years old daughter. Thanks for sharing:-) The pictures are breathtaking! XOXO, Jeannette
http://www.msjeannieandhercloset.com
Oh, me too! I’d shop practically every sale… Thanks for stopping by, Catherine!
#3 is so important. I always used to get sucked in by those promotional emails!
The Blissful Mind
Thanks Becky!!
Thanks Christina! And thank you for pinning– I really appreciate it!
Thank you Samara! 🙂 I really appreciate you stopping by!
Thank you Brittany! That means a lot!!
Thank you Brittany! I’m sorry to hear that you’ve felt the need to release some unhealthy relationships; I have in the past, and didn’t do it very well, but I think once we healed we realized it was a good decision.
And I think simple living comes down to deepening our relationships, at least for me! 🙂
I agree with your tips, definitely love #1 and #2, so true!
VelvetandVino.com
Loved this Daisy! Pinning this bad boy right now, so many awesome tips on here for our fellow millennials to be able to live a more simple and happy life 🙂
Love this post Daisy!! It’s so good 🙂 I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on your blog. It is so great!!
LOVE this post so much!! Daisy, you hit every point of living a life of purpose and simplicity. 🙂 Keep it up!
I love how so many of these are not actually related to “things” (though you know I’m all about living with fewer possessions). So often we don’t think about the relational choices we’re making, whether it’s through friendships or social media or sharing with others. You first point has been the story of my life for the past two years. I think it’s one of the most difficult ways to live simply, but it makes such a difference each time I cut out an unhealthy relationship.
Great!!
Yes I want to!! We have friends in NYC so it’ll happen again eventually!
Thanks Gema!! So glad you’re cleaning things out too! The social media detox is really helpful!
I plan to do a few new recipe posts very soon! I’m just sooo back up with blogging from vacation. (;
These are awesome. I recently cleaned out my closest and only shop for things I need. I loved the clean out social media, which I have on facebook but I need to on Instagram. I loved all your tips girl!
Thank you! I know :/ I hate that I’m meeting all of these awesome bloggers like yourself right before taking off. Come visit in NYC!
Thanks Jo-Anne! And thanks for reading, I really appreciate it.
Fantastic! And I completely agree, I’m actually glad I moved a lot during college. It helped me realize just how much crap I can collect in only 8 months or so! 😉 Also, I’m hoping the move goes well, dear friend, though I’m sad you’re leaving CA!
Ah thank you so much Julie!! Oh, and YOLO is just sort of like carpe diem on a very shallow level, right?
And oh my goodness that book has been on my radar for almost 10 years (literally!), and I haven’t read it yet. Sounds like I need to right now! I could have sworn I had a copy somewhere, but perhaps I just need to find it on amazon 😉 Thanks for the reminder, friend!
Oh my gosh! That sounds like a strange lifestyle to me! I know of parents who have kicked out their 30-year-old children who just were being foolish about money. We can’t live off of someone else’s support forever!
Ah thank you so much!! It was such a great photo shoot!
And thanks, glad you enjoyed that one as well!
Ah thank you Eryn, that means so much!
How weird to go to a concert and then be on one’s phone the whole time! That’s too bad. 🙁 I’d love to read more about your simple eating habits, Kiki! It’s something we care a lot about as well.
Thank you so much Lyle! That means a lot to me. I think/hope that each generation will do what it thinks is right… though that hasn’t always looked great in retrospect, at least it shows integrity! 🙂
Thank you Samantha, I’m glad you ended up liking it! 🙂 Our cyberspace can get so cluttered, right?
Thank you Chelsea! 🙂
Thanks Marcella!!
Thank you Alyssa!! The photographer was incredible! And I’m really glad you enjoyed this post. Thanks for reading. 🙂
10 pretty damn good tips indeed
I’m all about simplifying right now! There’s no better time to do it than when you’re preparing for a move. We’ll be taking hardly anything with us and I want it to stay that way! No more “stuff,” no more clutter.
Of course I love this Daisy! It’s so hard to comment on just one thing, because there is SO MUCH GOOD. Amen to ending the YOLO trend – I strongly dislike how selfish that kind of mindset is. I will say that focusing on gratitude is something that has totally flipped my mindset and life around. Have you read “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp? It’s beautiful and really jump-started my journey of focusing on thankfulness and gratitude in the simple things.
Amen to no. 6. I have a couple of girlfriends who are always in the latest trend, always shopping for new clothes and the latest high end makeup and shoes but struggles to pay their credit card debts. One is still living with her parents at the age of 32, why? Because she can’t afford to live by herself. She has all the latest flashy stuff but zero savings, no car, no house. Sometimes it’s kinda sad to see. 🙁
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
I LOVE your dress and the wide shot in the garden!
Thank you for linking back to the wedding clutter post. I really enjoyed it too.
You’re so in touch with your dreams! I hope you inspire millions.
I was fortunate to grow up in a small town. So I do have a sense of what it feels to grow up in a community that thrives off of each other. I went to a concert the other night and looked around at those sitting near me. More than not, there were kids on their phones. Not taking photos, videos, but on their social media. Our tickets were kind of pricey, I couldn’t believe someone was paying that to sit there and use their phone the entire time.
We are currently trying to simplify the foods we eat. It’s a very slow process since my fiance is a very picky eater, but little by little he’s opening up to eating more whole foods. (:
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
Wonderful post Daisy!!
While I am now in my soon to be mid 50’s, I know more than a few young people who feel the same way you do – we do – and while time will tell whether or not Millennial attitudes will make a difference, it’s good to know that there are some young folks on the bus so to speak!
Thanks for all your work and take care.
All the best.
Lyle
I’m going to be honest, when I first saw the title to this post I thought, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about what I was about to read. Let me just say…I love love love this list. I can especially relate to unsubscribing from promotional emails and unfollowing certain accounts on social media. Definitely one of my favorite posts from you! 🙂
I want to print these out and put them somewhere I’ll see every day..such good advice!
Couldn’t agree more! Great points and a lovely reminder, thank you Daisy 😀 x
I LOVED this post! It is so true that our generation is one of conflicting attributes (but then I would suggest, that’s every generation) and living simply is definitely a way to combat that. Also, the photos are gorgeous