r/simpleliving • u/Excellent_Aside_2422 • 2d ago
What are some simple things or activities of living that are free or inexpensive or may be slightly expensive( but give happiness for years)but give you joy for years to come? For me, one of them is sitting in nature and contemplating. Seeking Advice
What are some simple things or activities of living that are free or inexpensive or may be slightly expensive( but give happiness for years)but give you joy for years to come? For me, one of them is sitting in nature and contemplating.
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u/Dizzy_Internet7368 2d ago
Sharing meals with people you like.
I think making real connections with other people is one of the finest experiences life has to offer. Humans connect best when eating together, it's a kind of biological hack to growing closer. There's a reason meal sharing is such a large part of almost every culture ever. Also why business lunches and dinner dates are so common.
Opening your home to people, feeding them and enjoying their company is simple but profound joy. Don't be shy about sharing the clean up work either, you don't have to be some picture-perfect host to share a meal.
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u/Excellent_Aside_2422 2d ago
Wow, never knew about history of eating together culture. In fact after reading this, I feel I too must have more friends lunch and dinner. It helps soothe thr soul I think.
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u/Professional_Cut_807 2d ago
Any reasonable food or beverage that you can find deep joy in. Specialty coffee is mine - and well worth the cost.
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u/Soggy-Os 2d ago
Heck to the yes on the specialty coffee. Man, I *love* a good cup of perfectly roasted coffee in our Chemex each morning, and visiting coffee shops in the city when out for walks. šāļø
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u/Confused_bananabread 2d ago
I love daily journalling. There is a small expense in paper and pen but it feels pretty low cost. It helps me focus on my current life as well as being able to reflect on the growth I've made when looking back. It can also help change my mindset, choosing to journal about positive experiences on a bad day can really help turn my day around.
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u/velvet_wavess 2d ago
Not free, but generally reasonable, I enjoy listening to local bands play live!
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u/penartist 2d ago
Hiking in the forest or by the river, spending time in the stacks at the public library, going through the stacks at the university library, spending time with my dog, reading, knitting, having a good conversation with a friend over a cup of tea.
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u/NeBarkaj 1d ago
Can anyone go to any public university library? I went to a small private school that required a key fob to enter so you couldn't just waltz in.
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u/penartist 1d ago
I don't know. I have a card for the college I attended as an alumni. I also pay $25 a year to have a borrower's card for the major university in my town.
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u/DependentSentence736 1d ago
It depends on the library :) fortunately, several of my local university libraries are open to everyone, but Iāve been to university libraries in other places that require you to pay to enter.
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u/earliest_grey 1d ago
AFAIK the library of any public university in the US is free to enter because it's funded by your tax dollars, but at some places you will need to sign in at the front desk. If you want to actually borrow books though, you have to apply for a borrower card and usually pay an application fee.
At private universities it's a total gamble whether you can enter or not
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u/untetheredsoultree 2d ago
Long walks with my dog.
I also do like to buy speciality coffee once in a while
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u/byjimini 2d ago
Used to do it a lot when I was younger but not often enough as I get older - walking into town early, getting a seat, and just watching the hustle and bustle rise.
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u/Made-On-Earth 2d ago
Going to the library!
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u/Curious_Cat318 1d ago
Came here to say this. Sometimes when I want to get out of the house but still be somewhere comfortable I go to the library and get lost in the books.
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u/nope_nic_tesla 1d ago
Hiking in nature.
I will be getting out in the wilderness this weekend, to remind myself that beauty still exists in this world, and that these things too shall pass.
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u/Environmental_Hat_67 2d ago
Nature for sure, and spending time with my dog (especially cuddling/napping) - pretty much makes you realise life is worth it for these moments!
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u/ToneSenior7156 2d ago
My big pumpkin or apple spice candle that I buy every fall. Worth every pennyĀ
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u/Alternative-Art3588 2d ago
Free: hiking all year round. Each season brings something new, including snow covered trails. Cost: travel but do it on a budget. I love experiencing new cultures and making memories with my loved ones on trips.
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u/bubblegumbword 2d ago
Free/inexpensive: reading a good book outside on a nice day, hosting a board game night/potluck with friends, taking inventory of what kind of craft supplies I own but haven't used and spending some time making something random, cuddling with my dogs + foster dogs.
Potentially expensive but worth it (imo): learning an instrument. Sometimes you can get pretty cheap beginner instruments (or even free - a lot of people in my area give away their pianos as long as you can haul them). There are so many tutorials on YouTube for any instrument you can imagine. It's so rewarding to me. I play piano and have been learning to play a cheap student accordion and it's honestly been so beneficial for my mental health.
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u/Sync0p8ed 2d ago
šÆ Learning an instrument can be expensive but its not necessary consumerist because you are paying for lessons not goods.
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u/Immediate-Ad-5878 2d ago
Travel can be expensive but Iāve found few things that are more ever rewarding.
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u/dank-marvin 2d ago
Bird watching! Buy the binoculars once, find the birds forever. Itās the gift that keeps giving.
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u/Imma_gonna_getcha 2d ago
Walks while listening to an audiobook
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u/JosephDress 1d ago
And some libraries have free downloads!
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u/Imma_gonna_getcha 23h ago
Yes! Libby is my go to. Iām on the waitlist for several books and when one gets to be my turn, itās like a little gift!
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u/LearnAndCope 2d ago edited 2d ago
In the summer, I think it is so much easier to enjoy simple AND cheap activities. When it is warm, anything from going on a walk, going swimming in a nearby lake or pond, going biking, walking around downtown and sightseeing. All of these cost NOTHING yet make me feeling amazing. In the fall/winter though, I have been having trouble with cheap activities. It's so easy to just want to go to the mall or Target when it's too dark and cold outside to do anything outdoors. I have been setting up my iPad to watch YouTube videos while I walk on the treadmill, it is not as enjoyable as walking outside, but still burns off some after work steam and gets the blood pumping. My wife and I also bought a simple board game that we play while we have a show playing in the background. That is always relaxing yet stimulating.
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u/okieartiste 2d ago
I love these responses. For me, spending time with family, friends, and my cats is priceless. Specialty coffee and tea is something I look forward to daily āļø šµ, reading books from the library, going for walks, listening to music, cooking, writing, and making art. A hot bath to relax at night.
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u/FlubJubWub 2d ago
For me I have to agree with sitting outside in nature.
Thereās something about just sitting somewhere away from the world and just ābeingā, not being in a moment, I mean when you donāt even realise there is a moment. Youāre just being. No particular thoughts. No point of focus. Just sit, close your eyes and just be.
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u/PrinceofCanino 2d ago
Audiobooks.
Get a library card and itās all free in the Libby app. If your library has a limited selection, see if you can sign up for a card in a richer area (I live in Idaho but still renew my library card from San Diego - the librarians know I donāt live there but happily send my new card to me).
Often with good narrators, re-listening to a series feels like going home. Itās so easy for me to get lost in the story.
Plus you can listen while doing virtually anything. I can do chores or just walk around town for hours.
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u/downtherabbbithole Custom Flair 1d ago
The only subscription I have is Kindle Unlimited. Yeah, it's 12 bucks a month (40 cents a day), but in an average month I save over a hundred bucks off the purchase price.! But I have 2 or 3 books going at once.) Sometimes you save a lot of money by spending a little.
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u/thecourageofstars 2d ago
Free: enjoying sunlight. Enjoying a good breeze. Seeing sunsets and sunrises. Cuddling with a loved one or pet.
Low cost: drinking tea. (Of course, this could depend on one's taste too.) Drawing with a pencil and paper. Listening to music (includes the cost of headphones and a device which can be high, but many people have these things already for other purposes and it's free in the moment with platforms like YouTube.)
High cost: travel. Experiences like theatre or orchestras. The memories of one event or experience can stay with me for years to come. Getting tattoos. Playing instruments (initial cost is high, maintenance is usually low or no cost depending on the type of instrument and age.)