Hello 2023: where we’ve been and where we’re going

On how our travel has changed, our new rootedness, and finding peace in the midst of uncertainty.

A Slow Travel Guide to Kerala, India

It calls itself "God's Own Country" for a reason. Kerala might be one of the most naturally beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Between winding backwater canals and brilliant diving kingfishers and rolling misty hills with hidden waterfalls, this Southern Indian state...

An enchanting 2-week road trip through the American Southwest

Welcome to the mystery, the land of enchantment, the wild west. With vibrant light, flourishing wildflowers, rugged rock formations and fascinating history, the region we call the American Southwest is bound to captivate any visitor, no matter what century they visit....

How to spend a glorious day in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, holds some of India's most famous gems. After our weeks of working and exploring in Udaipur, entering the Pink City felt like a return to something familiar, even as it was absolutely brand new to me. As part of India's popular Golden...

Our journey to India and Udaipur travel diary

My childhood dream of visiting India finally came true: the story of our travels to Udaipur, and the exquisite people we met there.

Welcome to Simplicity Relished.

Hello! I’m Daisy, a social entrepreneur, writer, and fellow adventurer. I’m here to help you finally follow your heart, explore the world, and live courageously.

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Why I No Longer Equate My Time to Dollars

Why I No Longer Equate My Time to Dollars

It's easy for me to think about my hours in terms of dollars. I currently charge an hourly rate, so it's natural to think about my time as money. At first, it was just a business-minded strategy. When I am working, if I can minimize time between clients, then less of...

5 Things I Wish I Knew in my 20s

5 Things I Wish I Knew in my 20s

Today I'm happy to welcome Angela from Setting My Intention to share an important post about life in our twenties! Angela has been an inspiration to me, so I'm so excited to share her post with you! I love the enthusiasm and values driven choices that people like...

5 Favorite Food Blogs For Recipe Inspiration

5 Favorite Food Blogs For Recipe Inspiration

I'm a cookbook kind of girl, but our shelf is filling up. From ice cream to washoku to sous vide, Aaron and I have experts here in the house to teach us how to do food right. But where do I go for spur-of-the-moment inspiration? Pretty much to these five online...

New England Charm: A Self-Guided Walking Tour in Boston

New England Charm: A Self-Guided Walking Tour in Boston

I spent 4 years living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but admit to only spending a handful of days wandering through Boston. It felt so accessible at the time that I rarely found myself jumping at the opportunity to explore one of the oldest cities in the US. Just a few...

7 Essential Steps to Simplify Your Life This Fall

7 Essential Steps to Simplify Your Life This Fall

With Labor Day Weekend behind us and school starting up everywhere, autumn will be upon us soon. Here comes the season that launches a whole new gamut of celebrations, commitments, and obligations that vie for our time, money, and attention. If we aren't intentional...

How To Plant A Succulent Container Garden In A Bowl

How To Plant A Succulent Container Garden In A Bowl

In the past few months, I've fallen in love with succulents! Part of it has to do with the fact that our patio has horrible soil and is in full sun in Southern California (read: serious drought situation). So, I've been doing tons of research on how to plant a...

A Wanderer’s Guide To Point Lobos State Reserve, California

A Wanderer’s Guide To Point Lobos State Reserve, California

I love it when I find something that never ceases to fascinate me. I've sung the praises of California's central coast enough for you to know that this is one of my absolute favorite parts of the world. Nothing can parallel its crashing waves, myriad shades of blue,...

10 Things You Should Never Do To De-Stress (and what to do instead)

10 Things You Should Never Do To De-Stress (and what to do instead)

We love to say this: "I need to (fill in the blank). It will help me de-stress." Usually, we fill that blank with some kind of guilty pleasure: shopping, overeating, drinking, binge-watching television, Facebook stalking, Pinterest scrolling, and more. Last Thursday,...

25 Simple Joys for Not-So-Simple Days

25 Simple Joys for Not-So-Simple Days

I just got off the phone with a new friend who is facing a lot of challenges. She is as sweet as her troubles are heavy, and the hope in her voice had me inspired and moved. We love to talk about living simply, but the human experience is rarely this way. We want to...

Why You Need A True Hobby (and not just a side-hustle)

Why You Need A True Hobby (and not just a side-hustle)

Growing up, I never understood what it meant to just enjoy an activity. I was very performance-oriented, so I couldn't comprehend why a person might be internally motivated enough to pursue a hobby-- for the sheer joy of it. This past year, I spent a lot of time...

A Quick Guide to 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, California

A Quick Guide to 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach, California

Pebble Beach is well-known for a few things: excellent golf courses, stunning coastlines, and large-for-California mansions. Located just south of Monterey, Pebble Beach is a branded, gated community that sees thousands of tourists each year. Famous for its stunning...

7 Reasons You Don’t Feel Influential (and how to fix it)

7 Reasons You Don’t Feel Influential (and how to fix it)

Influence is a powerful phenomenon. We all know of greatly influential people who use their influence either to better serve others, or to draw greater attention to themselves. Influence is desirable because it's a clear indication that something we're doing matters...

How to Work from ANYWHERE and Still Be Productive

How to Work from ANYWHERE and Still Be Productive

This summer I will have been on the road for about 7 weeks total. From our time traveling through Japan to our volunteering experience in Ecuador, Aaron and I have learned to work productively while we're away from our usual space. One of the benefits to working...

6 Questions To Ask Before Volunteering Abroad

6 Questions To Ask Before Volunteering Abroad

Not long ago, I came across a post from a popular travel blogger that mentioned the evils of volunteering abroad. I was surprised by how vehemently she denounced the practice, so I read on. Before we headed to volunteer in Quito, Ecuador, it had never occurred to me...

The Moment When Dreams Come True: Casa Victoria in Quito Ecuador

The Moment When Dreams Come True: Casa Victoria in Quito Ecuador

See the mint-green house below? Two dreams came true there. 1) My dream this summer was to interact with children in need and support a ministry doing amazing work. And that's exactly what happened. 2) Alicia's dream years ago was to purchase this dilapidated home and...

10 photos that will make you book a flight to Ecuador

10 photos that will make you book a flight to Ecuador

There's a feeling I can't seem to shake. Coming back from Japan, I was energized by the beauty we explored there. But coming back from Ecuador, I was just nostalgic-- crazy nostalgic. Perhaps this is because we did not simply tour the lovely cities of Quito and Cuenca...

6 Tips For Better Travel Planning

6 Tips For Better Travel Planning

There's often something stressful about international (or even domestic) travel. It's odd that a leisure activity can be so anxiety-inducing, but most of us will work up a bit of a sweat before we step on the plane. We're usually running through a mental checklist of...

Why comparison is NOT the true thief of joy (and what really is)

Why comparison is NOT the true thief of joy (and what really is)

Many well-intentioned people have recited the adage, Comparison is the thief of joy. I myself have been one of those people. However, I've realized that this adage scratches at the surface of a much deeper issue. I do not believe that comparison has to steal joy. The...

7 Days of Courage: The Story Behind My New Ebook!

7 Days of Courage: The Story Behind My New Ebook!

So, the word is out! I wrote a short ebook which I've already shared with my email letter subscribers. Today I want to make sure you have the opportunity to receive it for free in your inbox, and to tell you a bit more about it. The book is titled 7 Days of Courage:...

What To Do This Weekend If You’re Avoiding The Mall

What To Do This Weekend If You’re Avoiding The Mall

Let's be honest. Wandering around the mall (or Walmart or Target) is a real American past-time. A pretzel, a swimsuit, and a few shopping bags later, we find ourselves having spent more money than we had planned when we initially said we'd go "walk around." And if...

6 Questions to Ask Before Making Big Decisions

6 Questions to Ask Before Making Big Decisions

Until our early 20s, many life decisions are made for us. We're told to attend school, we're told to do our best, we're told what's socially acceptable and what's not-- we're raised by our families, our friends, and our society. So when it's time to make a big...

How to Personally Connect with Bloggers and Writers

How to Personally Connect with Bloggers and Writers

The first time one of my favorite bloggers responded to a comment I wrote, it changed everything. It may sound juvenile, but it was the first time I realized that online writing-- just like print writing-- is a deeply human pursuit. Behind our screens and perfect...

5 Simple Ways to Decorate on a Budget

5 Simple Ways to Decorate on a Budget

Have you ever looked into purchasing home decor-- perhaps from West Elm or Pottery Barn-- and been disappointed by the high prices of chic items? And then, did you research exactly what it would take to do-it-yourself-- only to be overwhelmed by the number of skills...

Cuenca, Ecuador: A Wanderer’s Dream

Cuenca, Ecuador: A Wanderer’s Dream

Let me tell you a little secret. Sometimes I don't plan my travels. At all. When I decided that we would do a brief excursion to Cuenca during our 3 weeks in Ecuador, I figured we would stroll its quaint streets, people-watch at cafes, window-shop the artisanal alleys...

5 Secrets to Spicing Up A Small Wardrobe

5 Secrets to Spicing Up A Small Wardrobe

It's no secret that I love having a small wardrobe. Whether it's my summer capsule or my travel pieces, simplifying my closet has helped me in so many ways. (Read the full story here.) A simple closet doesn't have to mean a boring closet, however. I think that...

10 Simple Living Tips For Millennials

10 Simple Living Tips For Millennials

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...

Effortless No-Squeeze Lemonade with Basil

Effortless No-Squeeze Lemonade with Basil

Summer is THE time for lemonade, right? There's nothing quite like that sweet-tart nectar we guzzle on sweltering hot days. And, when it comes to lemonade, the real stuff is where it's at! I understand the appeal of Minute Maid concoctions, but real lemons taste so...

10 Places to Visit in Historical Quito Ecuador

10 Places to Visit in Historical Quito Ecuador

We are back from Ecuador! After spending 3 weeks mostly in historical Quito, I'm ready to share some of our favorite spots. What a special place-- Quito has the largest historical center in South America, with some of the most beautiful churches and buildings! If you...

Lessons I’ve Learned From Kids Who Live With Less

Lessons I’ve Learned From Kids Who Live With Less

We're finishing up our time in Ecuador today. We've spent the past 3 weeks at Casa Victoria, volunteering with children in a low-income neighborhood in Quito. I can't wait to write more about our travels in Ecuador, but first I want to share about the kids we've...

Clutter-free Travel: 5 Tips for Shopping Abroad

Clutter-free Travel: 5 Tips for Shopping Abroad

It's sad but true: we're often emotionally attached to the clutter that fills our homes. That's why we've held onto those things for years--they hold some meaning and memories we're afraid we'll lose otherwise. Travel is a huge culprit when it comes to accumulating...

10 Simple Ways to Prioritize What You Love

10 Simple Ways to Prioritize What You Love

I've noticed a trend among the adults I know. Most people seem to spend much time doing something that they neither care about nor enjoy. Furthermore, many tell me, "I would do more of X if I only had the chance."  What's ironic about that? X usually stands for...

Why I Shrank My Closet (and quit obsessing over my image)

Why I Shrank My Closet (and quit obsessing over my image)

I'm going to tell you part of my story today. Ever since I was two or three, I loved the idea of being pretty. I wanted long hair, earrings, and dresses. There's little explanation as to why I was so conventionally "girly;" my mother didn't push those ideas onto me...

5 Ways to be Generous within Your Financial Limits

5 Ways to be Generous within Your Financial Limits

"I want to be generous one day, when I'm more financially comfortable," so many of us say. "I'll volunteer more of my time, when I get to where I want to in my career," we also add. "I'll help people get opportunities, when I have all the connections," we promise. Why...

Why I Love Pinterest: from a content consumer’s perspective

Why I Love Pinterest: from a content consumer’s perspective

Before you continue reading, I should say that this is NOT a post about how to use Pinterest to grow your blog. There are plenty of those-- just look on Pinterest! To come back to my main point, I'd like to share why I love Pinterest as a content consumer. That's...

10 Simple Ways to Be Brave Today

10 Simple Ways to Be Brave Today

We often talk about courage on a grand scale: the courage to chase our dreams; the courage to live simply; the courage to challenge the unsolvable problems of our day. But how do we muster up that courage, when we live within the confines of our obligations daily? Why...

Our 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary: a comprehensive guide

Our 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary: a comprehensive guide

When I wrote our quick guide to Kyoto, I felt like I had to keep it reasonably short-- namely, limit the number of photos. But I can't stress enough how photogenic Kyoto (and the rest of Japan) really is! Everywhere we turned was a potential snapshot, and it required...

Is There Still Space for Your Dreams?

Is There Still Space for Your Dreams?

When it comes to work and career, it can be a bit overwhelming to look at all of your options. You probably have many choices more choices than you think: stay at your current job, start a side-hustle, get a new job, wait for a promotion, quit and do something totally...

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Travels

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Travels

Travel can carry a lot of weight, especially if you don't get to do it very often. Once we've selected our destination, paid good money for flights and hotels, and finally arrived, the question tends to be: how do I make this worthwhile?! The odd thing about travel is...

10 Best Snapshots from Japan

10 Best Snapshots from Japan

As I sift through our Japan photos, I have to ask myself: is there any place more photogenic than this? So I decided to select only 10 snapshots that come with a good story or memory from our time in Japan. After reading this I hope you'll feel compelled to visit one...

We’re on a flight to…

We’re on a flight to…

Happy Independence Day Weekend, Americans! And Happy Friday, everyone! Today we're off to our second international destination this summer-- I can't believe how quickly our 5 days at home went by. My desire to lie in bed for a day is only slightly overshadowed by the...

Travel Wears: 10 Essentials for your Travel Wardrobe

Travel Wears: 10 Essentials for your Travel Wardrobe

Whenever I start packing for a trip (usually several hours beforehand), I spend most of my time agonizing over what clothes to bring. It takes me a while to think about where I am going, what the demands are, what the climate is like, and so forth. It's a bit silly...

Local Cuisine: What To Eat In Japan

Local Cuisine: What To Eat In Japan

Many people don't realize that Japan is arguably the world's food capital. Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city, and the famous Tsukiji Fish Market handles much of the highest-quality seafood to be found anywhere. As a food lover myself, I...

5 Lessons from Japanese Culture

5 Lessons from Japanese Culture

One thing I enjoyed about Japan was that it was modern without being Western. Sure, it shares lots traits with Western countries-- and went through a somewhat westernizing transformation during the Meiji period-- but Japan owes its unique style to traditions far...

A Quick Travel Guide to Kyoto

A Quick Travel Guide to Kyoto

There is so much to say about Kyoto (and I'll hopefully say more in another in-depth post, so look out for that), but I wanted to put together a quick guide to Kyoto for anyone who's thinking of visiting. First of all, Kyoto should be on your list if you love travel....

What will change this world?

What will change this world?

A quick thought for today, because I'm drowning in Japan photos and traveling till the weekend. (Join me for snapshots on Instagram, though!) The news has grieved me this week. Reading about Charleston while thousands of miles away was a bit surreal. Throughout the...

Japanese Charm: Countryside Villages, Shops and Gardens Galore!

Japanese Charm: Countryside Villages, Shops and Gardens Galore!

Happy Tuesday, friend! Our adventures in Japan continue beyond Tokyo to the countryside via shinkansen, the fastest train I've ever ridden. Off to the historical villages we went-- just northwest of Tokyo to the cities of Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa. These...

Tokyo Travel: 10 Things to Love About Tokyo

Tokyo Travel: 10 Things to Love About Tokyo

I did not expect to like Tokyo. Not only did I find it intimidating, but I also thought that it was mostly for high-fashion shoppers and electronics geeks, neither of which I am. However, there is nothing better than to make an initial splash in Japan here— at its...

Why Perfectionism Might Be Stealing Your Joy

Why Perfectionism Might Be Stealing Your Joy

My definition of perfectionism has gotten a whole lot bigger. I used to think that perfectionism meant looking good all the time, performing well at everything, and creating an impenetrable facade of, well, perfection. As it turns out, perfectionism is a lot more...

Introducing Wanderlust Stories: A Group Board for Travel Bloggers!

Introducing Wanderlust Stories: A Group Board for Travel Bloggers!

Pinterest is rapidly becoming my favorite media platform. It brings exposure to excellent content and photography, and is a wonderful way to connect with others with similar interests. So I thought, why not start a group Pinterest board for travel bloggers? I'm an...