If you’re working all day and night just to afford the next new gadget, you might be doing it wrong. A new study found living the SIMPLE LIFE really does make us happier.
People who keep it simple, don’t work too much, and don’t buy too much JUNK tend to live happier lives. One main reason is because it tends to strengthen social bonds. More on that in a second . . .
They defined “simple life” by breaking it into five different categories. If you do all of these things, you’re currently living the “simple life.”
1. Material simplicity. You don’t buy a lot of stuff you don’t need.
2. Self-sufficiency. That includes things like cooking most of your meals and growing food in a garden.
3. Local procurement. You buy local. So, not someone who buys everything on Amazon.
4. Resource conservation. You don’t waste food, and you repair things instead of replacing them.
5. Beneficence. (ben-EFF-eh-sense) They say it’s the most important one. It’s sharing skills, resources, and helping build your community.
In other words, it means you’re close and generous with your neighbors. So if you need a cup of sugar and your first instinct is to Instacart it, you’re probably NOT living the simple life.
The study found most of the stuff on that list leads to stronger social bonds, and that’s the MAIN reason they make us happier. The more of a community you have, the happier you’ll be.
