Let’s be real—most of us are tired.
Tired of the scroll. Tired of the pressure of “simple living’. Tired of feeling like we’re not enough unless our lives look a certain way. Social media, as much as it connects us, has a sneaky way of making us feel like we’re always behind—like our homes aren’t clean enough, our meals aren’t photogenic enough, and our lives aren’t worth sharing unless they’re aesthetic.
But here’s a little truth we don’t hear enough: life doesn’t have to be Instagram-perfect to be beautiful.
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At Roots, Wings & Wellness, we’re learning to love the mess—the unfiltered, unstyled, wonderfully human parts of everyday life. Because somewhere beneath the pressure to keep up, there’s peace in the ordinary. And that’s where simple living begins.
A special thanks to @alisontalksmoney for inspiring this reflection on the beauty of a grounded, simple lifestyle!
Simplicity Over Aesthetic: When Mismatched Feels Like Home
Have you ever looked around your home and felt like it doesn’t “match”? Like the couch was inherited, the chairs are from different eras, and the curtains don’t exactly go with the walls?
Good. That means your home tells a story.
We’re bombarded with images of minimalist perfection, but real life doesn’t come with a filter. The most soul-nourishing spaces I’ve walked into weren’t showroom-ready—they were lived in. A chipped mug that holds your favorite tea. A hand-me-down table where conversations happened. A bookshelf cluttered with books, memories, and meaning.
That’s the stuff that matters.
So if your life looks more “real” than “reel”—you’re doing just fine.
“I’d rather have a warm, mismatched home that feels like me than a cold one that looks like someone else’s Pinterest board.”
Intentional Living: Living by Choice, Not by Default
There’s a big difference between having less and feeling lack.
Simple living isn’t about depriving yourself—it’s about making space. Space for peace. Space for the things that matter. It means asking yourself: “Do I really want this? Or have I just been told I should?”
This applies to more than just stuff:
- It’s choosing rest when the world worships productivity.
- It’s saying no to events that drain you.
- It’s being okay with not having the latest trend if it doesn’t feel right.
Intentional living isn’t loud. It’s soft. It’s slow. And it starts when you begin living on your terms.
You don’t need to clear out your whole closet tomorrow. Maybe start by noticing which clothes you always reach for—and why.
Unplug to Reconnect: Why Social Media Detox Matters
Let’s talk about the scroll. You open Instagram for “just 5 minutes,” and suddenly an hour’s gone, your mood’s dropped, and you’re wondering why your kitchen doesn’t look like that stranger’s.
Been there.
The thing is, social media isn’t evil—but mindless consumption is exhausting. And sometimes, stepping away is the best gift you can give yourself.
A social media detox doesn’t have to mean deleting everything. It can mean:
- A day without checking notifications
- Turning your phone off during meals
- Replacing evening scrolling with journaling or silence
“Every time I took a break from social media, I realized how much clearer my thoughts became. Like I could actually hear myself again.”
And that—right there—is why digital wellness matters.
Sustainability: Using What You Have Is a Power Move
It’s funny how being “green” used to be something our grandparents just did. They reused glass jars, mended clothes, grew food in the backyard—not for a trend, but because it made sense.
Now we buy bamboo toothbrushes from Instagram ads while still tossing out perfectly good stuff.
But living simply and sustainably can be so much… simpler. You don’t need to invest in expensive eco-products to make a difference. You can:
- Fix something instead of replacing it
- Buy second-hand
- Reuse what you already have
- Grow a few herbs by your window
And the best part? It doesn’t just help the planet—it makes life quieter. Lighter. More connected to what matters.
“That hand-me-down table in our dining room? Still my favorite piece in the house.”
Contentment: When You Stop Looking Over the Fence
Let’s be honest—comparison is sneaky. You don’t even realize it’s happening until you’re scrolling through someone else’s morning routine and suddenly feel like yours isn’t enough.
But here’s the shift: what if your life doesn’t need to look like anything?
Contentment isn’t about settling—it’s about choosing to love what is while letting go of the pressure to perform. It’s sitting with your morning coffee in silence and realizing… this is good. This is mine.
Try this:
Remind yourself that joy doesn’t come from what you see—it comes from what you feel
Write down 5 things that are good in your life right now (big or small)
Look at them whenever comparison creeps in
Wellness That Isn’t for Show
Somewhere along the way, “wellness” became a marketing word. Green juices, $100 yoga pants, spa days.
But real wellness? It’s quieter.
It’s checking in with yourself when you’re overwhelmed.
It’s nourishing meals, not photogenic ones.
It’s saying “no” without guilt.
It’s making space for joy, not just achievement.
At Roots, Wings and Wellness, we believe wellness is about alignment—not aesthetics. It’s when your choices reflect your truth. When your inner life feels calm—even if your outer world is messy.
You don’t need a curated routine. You just need one that feels like home.
Find Your Life Purpose & Passion: The Ultimate Self-Discovery Guide
Closing Thought: Maybe You’re Already There
Here’s something I wish someone had told me years ago:
You don’t have to chase simplicity.
You just have to stop running from stillness.
That peaceful, fulfilling life you want? It’s not hiding behind new habits or aesthetic hacks. It’s already here. In your mismatched kitchen. In your quiet moments. In the joy of being yourself, no performance needed.
So today, choose one small way to live simpler:
- Say no to something that doesn’t align
- Sit in silence for five minutes
- Let go of one thing you’re done pretending to care about
And remember—this life you’ve built? It’s enough.
Check out our insightful articles on personal growth and wellness at Roots, Wings & Wellness.
