Note: This is a guest post from Vannetta Chapman.
My first novel about the Amish was published in 2010. Since then, I’ve published 28 additional books about the Plain people. I’ve also visited communities in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wisconsin.
I began my own journey with minimalism two years ago when I took a Joshua Becker course. I’ve noticed many similarities between the Amish and those of us among the “Englisch” who are seeking to live a more intentional life.
In case you aren’t familiar with the Amish, they are a group of people whose roots stretch back to the Anabaptist. They’re known for living simply, dressing plainly, and farming in an old-fashioned way.
In general, Amish don’t have electricity in their homes, they don’t own cars or go to college, and they have large families. However, any similarities to the Puritans of 17th century America ends there.
The Amish are life-long learners who regularly use computers at their local libraries. Many communities embrace solar power for their businesses, and they don’t mind hiring a driver in order to visit neighboring towns.
So, what can we learn about the Amish that can help our quest to embrace minimalism?
Here are six things I’ve learned about living intentionally from the Amish:
1. Be intentional about what we let into our lives.
Contrary to popular belief as well as their presentation in modern media, the Amish don’t shun all technology. They are simply very intentional about what they allow into their lives.
I’ve spoken with many Amish families about this, and they do not want an endless march of tech toys in their home. They believe that having a phone, computer, or television in their home will distract from their family time.
I’m not ready to leave my phone in the mailbox so it doesn’t interrupt dinner, but I am more intentional about turning off the ringer and notifications—especially during meals and family time. I have chosen not to have a television in every room in my house. I use my desktop computer for work, and when the workday is over I turn it off.
Hoping we will have more time to spend with our children or significant other isn’t good enough. We have to make the decision to put them first and take steps that reflect their importance in our lives.
2. Choose to stay home over yet another social event.
The Amish have a very tightly knit social community. Their get-togethers are large—weddings regularly include over 500 guests and everyone is involved in the local school.
However, they generally don’t go out at night—they’re home with their family, doing schoolwork, playing games, and taking care of evening farm chores. They choose to embrace a slowed down version of life.
At first, I felt a bit anti-social saying no to coffee dates, weeknight concert tickets, and committee positions. But once I allowed myself to spend the majority of my evenings at home, I quickly understood the benefits.
I’m less exhausted. My family’s stress level is down. Home has become a refuge again, a place to gather, recharge, and prepare for the next day.
3. Simplify celebrations.
The Amish love to party, but their celebrations look a bit different than ours.
The entire extended family often shows up. Gifts tend to be homemade or utilitarian. Because they don’t often eat out, a trip to the local ice cream shop with the whole family is a big deal. They love playing games together, whether it’s board games, baseball, or volleyball.
The emphasis is more on being together and less on wrapped presents—in fact, they don’t wrap presents at all! Even wedding gifts are displayed on a long table, unwrapped.
When I was a single mom, it was difficult for me to find extra money for gifts. It was a big deal when I’d saved enough to buy my son a new Lego set. Now that my children and my husband’s children are adults and our income has stabilized, we understand that they don’t need “things” from us. In most cases they don’t even want things.
But they love being celebrated—we go out for a special dinner, watch a movie together, or play a game of cards. The celebration is just as special without renting a bouncy house (which would be strange for 30-year-olds) or buying expensive gifts.
4. Avoid Debt.
It is very rare that you will find an Amish person who is in debt. Occasionally they will take out a loan for their home, but more often they simply live with their parents until they have enough saved up to purchase their own piece of property.
That home will often be small, which means they will add on to it as they have children. The property may also be less acreage than they want, so they’ll watch for an adjacent neighbor looking to sell a few acres.
I, on the other hand, have always anticipated what I might need and overbought. Big things or small, I always bought more than what I needed. Looking for a house? Buy a big one just in case. Who knows? I might have 5 children. (I was only able to have 1.)
If I could go back and speak to myself, if I could follow the Amish example, I would be content with what I need now and let tomorrow take care of itself.
5. Be satisfied with less.
When I first visited the Amish, I had a difficult time understanding that they truly were happy with less.
One of the first farms we toured in Indiana was a very pretty, 98-acre place. After visiting with the owner (a friendly, personable old guy wearing suspenders and sporting a long beard), we learned that he had been offered 6 million dollars for his farm. Someone wanted to build a golf course there. He turned them down. That literally blew my mind.
After all, this family was making less than $20,000 a year. Surely, they could use that money! The person who took us to the farm explained it this way. “What would he do with 6 million dollars that he isn’t doing now? He’s content with his life, and his children are independent adults who are content with their lives.”
I could think of a lot of things to do with $6 million, but over the years, as my own life has settled into a less stressful rhythm, I’ve come to understand that money isn’t always the answer.
Would I be more happy with $6 million? Probably not (though I might be tempted to give it a try if someone offered it to me). I do understand that more money doesn’t fix every problem, that the job that pays more may not be the best fit for me, and owning a bigger house or newer car isn’t going to make me happier.
6. Put first things first.
The Amish don’t live an untroubled life in an idyllic setting with perfect people.
When we look at their lives though the one thing that stands out the most—more than the horse and buggy, large families, and lack of technology—is that they seem to have found a way to put first things first.
Family, neighbors, friends, faith… these are the things that are the pivot points of their lives. They are not interested in a newer car, the latest phone, or another promotion.
As I’ve spent countless hours with the Amish and as I’ve written many books about them, it’s helped me to understand what the pivot points in my life should be.
Family, neighbors, friends, faith…these are the things that really matter to me. These are the things that I will look back on and wish that I’d made priorities.
So I try to do that every day. If my adult son calls, I put aside what I’m working on and talk with him. If my mom stops by for an unannounced visit, I give her my time. I try to intentionally live in a way that puts first things first.
So what’s the point?
If you have an Amish community around you, I strongly suggest you visit. Although you might not want to trade in your car for a buggy, you’ll no doubt take away at least one thing that you can incorporate into your life.
If you don’t have any Plain folks around, pay attention to some of the other families in your neighborhood, school, or church. Who isn’t stressed? Who doesn’t have a look of perpetual frenzy on their face? Maybe start a conversation with them. It could be that something they are doing will translate well to your life and your pursuit of intentional living.
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Vannetta Chapman is the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of 39 novels, many of them about the Amish. You can find out more about her books on her website. You can also follow her on Twitter.
As with anything in life, research a group of Amish. If you see things you don’t approve of, avoid those groups and if asked, tell others why you avoid them, but don’t tar all Amish with the same brush. As with all people, some are good and some are not. Sometimes it’s the bishop of the group causing all of the group to look bad.
Great Article! Yes, live simply & within your means! But in today’s consumerism especially in big cities & suburbia it’s an uphill battle!
We got rid of cable many years ago & when we moved to our small town in AZ we gave our big screen TV & all the furniture to our nieces! We downsized & got back to growing herbs & veggies. Ready to jettison our smartphones (smart for who?) for simplicity of flip phones! Done w/ Facebook as well with their constant censoring & monitoring everything you say!
Building our own Digital Prisons as we rush headlong to MetaVerse & convenience of digital social ID’s, tap & go! WEF is telling us
‘You Will Own Nothing & You Will Be Happy! Sounds like an edict from Elites! Thanks but that’s a personal choice in a truly free society!
Hi Madgeek. The Amish response to technology is really interesting to me. Some of the teens have cell phones. It’s allowed during “rumspringa,” but they have to pay for it out of their own money. And the adults would rather that it NOT have internet capabilities. Most are not walking around with a “smart phone.” One teenager boy told me, “Ya, I had one, and at first I was on it a bit, but then I left it in the barn and forgot to charge it in town and pretty soon I wasn’t interested enough to pay for it.”
The Amish have many positive qualities Such as family , and faith.
BUT, they are very cruel to their pets and work animals. They also run puppy mills and ship them out to puppy stores. It’s so very sad.
So I am not a fan of this community because I do not believe in animal cruelty! Big No-No! They should be arrested.
Hi Sarah. I’m so glad you brought up puppy mills. I hear that critique a lot, so I’ve actually kept an eye out in the Amish communities I’ve visited. I’ve even asked, and they all say the same–“Our bishop wouldn’t allow that.” Some still have their dogs sleeping outside (which my dogs would not accept), but more and more when I visit I find dogs in the house too!
I completely AGREE! There is a special place in hell for those who abuse and neglect animals! So you will get no love for the Amish from me.
Agreed!
I agree with most of this article, however, research indicates that longevity and happiness are enhanced through social connections. As a senior, I value my social life and am a member of two book clubs, a bunco group, and enjoy dining out with friends on the regular. I’m not sure saying no to the next social event is one I would include on my list. Maybe some people just have too many social events.
Peggy, you bring up a very good point–balance. It’s awesome that you have a healthy social life. We need those connections. I see some families though, especially parents of young children, who are so exhausted. Everyone’s crying when they come home. They’ve been gone since early that morning. And it repeats every day. I want to say “slow down,” but I haven’t because they haven’t asked my opinion yet. :)
I think this applies maybe more to families with kids who are running every night to this or that. I saw that myself that it was very nice to slow down and less activities
I love this article! I have visited Lancaster County many times from childhood on (I’m 78) and I have never failed to actually feel the contentment there. These people have something to teach us, that’s for sure!
Lancaster is indeed a very special place. You know, it’s also amazing that the Amish have been able to hold on to their “simple” life while becoming such a popular tourist destination. I asked an Amish man once what he thought of the television shows about the Amish, and he said, “I don’t have an opinion on that. I don’t watch them.” Smart guy.
I think we would all be happier if we lived like this. I grew up in a large family. We did not have a lot of money so we did not go on vacations. Our fun was going to the local amusement park or playing games with the neighborhood kids. We also had a neighborhood park close by where we could go to play. Our family also used to play board games. I miss those days. Anyway, because of that upbringing, I don’t feel the need to travel the world. When I have the desire to go somewhere, I go to the beach or up to mountains for a day or weekend. I also hike with a group, locally. Also we have music festivals and some are free. And there is nothing like a good game of rummy, a good book and the local newspaper. I also like to try different recipes.
Then there is the local community center, etc. Thanks for the interesting article.
Betty, you sound like my kind of person. We love the same things! Many times the Amish are portrayed as very serious, and of course there is that side to them. But they’re also very playful. They love board games, volleyball, baseball (they don’t keep score). It very much reminds me of my childhood, which I think is a lot of the reason people are fascinated with the Amish.
I always had a generally reverent feeling towards the Amish. Until I learned how they treat their horses. They use them hard and discard them to kill pens when they are worn out. I can’t unknow it, I understand their religious views make them regard animals as a service but I’m aghast at the cruelty from a supposed “gentle” people.
Hi Sue. I’m sorry you’ve had that experience. I’ve spoken to the Amish I’ve met about their horses, and they’ve viewed it as a vital part of their life. One man explained that a good horse, if you take care of it, will last more than twenty years. But I’m sure there are good and bad within any group.
Not to mention the puppy mills. I always wanted an Amish table, but I will never purchase anything from them.
Thank you, this is a wonderful article that has given me a lot to think about. It once again made me think about all that we want, but really don’t need, and what we have that actually interferes with our lives and causes amazing anxiety. Hopefully this time I will move forward on simplifying my life.
Hi Kathy. You really hit on something when you said “causes amazing anxiety.” When I visit the Amish, there is this sense of calm, and sometimes I puzzle over that…but then I realize they’re not listening to cable news, or checking their Facebook feed, or answering texts. It’s just a slower and gentler life. I think there’s a lot of that we can apply to our “Englisch” lives.
Thanks for the wonderful article! I found it refreshing and uplifting. I found some statements very thought provoking for my life
HI Terry. Thanks so much. I tend to find the Amish in general to be refreshing and uplifting. They always remind me of bygone days.
There is much we can learn from the Amish about cherishing family, finding purpose, and living simply. We think ubiquitous technology improves our lives, but often it merely distracts us with superficial amusements when we could be out in the garden, or hiking with our kids, or creating artwork that feeds our soul.
Well said, John. The last time I visited one of the Indiana communities I took some friends who had never been to see the Amish. They continually remarked on how the children interacted with each other rather than staring at screens. The difference was so marked when we were sitting in a restaurant. The Amish children busied themselves coloring the placemats. The “Englisch” kids (as young as one-year-olds) were occupied tapping an ipad. I don’t think one is necessarily better than the other, but balance is certainly a good thing.
Thank you for the great article. The Amish have moved into our community lately. This article helps me to understand them better.
Judith I think you are in for a pleasant experience. In general, they make very good neighbors.