As far back as I can remember, my father came home for lunch. I’m sure it wasn’t every day, but in my mind it was.
He worked at a bank and did quite well, slowly but surely climbing the ladder in the industry. And yet, as best I remember, most days he came home for lunch, sitting on a stool at our counter.
Most days, he ate a sandwich with a few slices of deli meat, plain potato chips, and French Onion dip. Or, on occasion, he’d eat a hot dog on a slice of bread.
Again, these are just my memories. My dad, recently retired, might tell a different story of his lunch menu variety, but this is the endearing image I have of my father as he came home for lunch each day.
He grew up on a family farm in South Dakota where most lunches were no different than the ones he continues to eat even today. His family upbringing clearly shaped his expectations for lunch.
I, my father’s son after all, have strayed very little from the model he set for me. My lunch, almost every day, are the leftovers from yesterday’s dinner. If there are no leftovers, I will sometimes have a bowl of soup or a tuna fish sandwich.
My tastes, overall, are quite simple. I own a 2005 Honda Accord, I wear a black V-neck t-shirt purchased at the local outlet mall, my tennis racket is 20 years old, I order black coffee at coffee shops, and my hair products (a topic of much conversation on YouTube) are bought off the shelf at Target.
I appreciate a fancy dinner when I have one… a luxurious hotel should I find myself there… or fine art when I view it. But for everyday living, I am content with simple tastes.
Simple tastes, in my opinion, get a bad rap.
Some may think I am unrefined for eating leftovers every day for lunch or missing out on the joy of living by not booking expensive accommodations when I travel, but I disagree entirely.
There are many benefits that accompany having simple tastes. Let me list a few of them for you.
Underappreciated joys of simple tastes:
1. Enjoyment is easy to find.
When your tastes are simple, it is easy to find things you enjoy. I can be just as happy eating leftovers for lunch as I would be sitting down at a fancy restaurant. One is just more achievable on a regular basis.
2. Easier to entertain.
I’m easy to entertain. If you wanted to treat me for dinner, you should feel no pressure in what you prepare. Truly, serve me homemade tacos and I’d be just as happy as if you served me prime rib. Or pick any restaurant for dinner, I’ll be happy.
Again, don’t mishear me on this. I LOVE prime rib, but my tastes are simple. Ground beef tacos make me just as happy.
3. Living within your means.
As I’ve written previously, there are benefits to living within your means that go even beyond the subject matter of this article— freedom, peace, and opportunity (for example). When your tastes are simple, life costs less and living within your means is easier than you might have thought.
4. Less lifestyle inflation.
Lifestyle inflation refers to an increase in spending when an individual’s income goes up. It is why many are never able to get ahead financially—personal expenses simply rise with personal income. When your tastes are simple, there is less opportunity for lifestyle inflation to take over.
5. More gratitude.
We are faced with two choices every day: 1) We can be grateful for the things we have; or 2) We can focus on all the things we wish we had.
When you are able to find joy and contentment in the simplest of things, gratitude is an easier choice to make.
6. Less influenced by trends, labels, and advertising.
Too often, people pay a premium just for the privilege of becoming a walking billboard. Personally, I am not impressed by fancy or expensive brands just for the sake of being able to show off the logo.
Same with advertising and changing trends. As Nate Berkus says, “Trends exist to make people feel badly about what they don’t have.” When your tastes are simple, you are less likely to be influenced by them.
7. More opportunity to splurge when necessary.
There is another benefit of having simple tastes that I should mention. If you are not spending routinely on expensive things, there is more money available to spend when the splurge is truly desired.
While my wife and I have always lived on a modest income, every five years we take a trip to celebrate a milestone anniversary (10, 15, 20…). Because our tastes are not extravagant on a day-to-day basis, that is something we have always been able to afford.
8. Easier to make decisions. Less time wasted.
There is a direct correlation, in very practical ways, between simple tastes and time. For example, it is easier to make decisions when traveling, shopping, or even planning tomorrow’s lunch at the office.
Again, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying it is wrong to enjoy nice things at times. But when you are satisfied with simple things on a daily basis, time (and money) is saved.
9. More opportunity for impact.
I’m going to make a bold statement here, take it or leave it.
Maybe it’s because of my upbringing, but when I think of the people I most want to emulate in my life, rarely do I think of the flashy types. I suppose, in the moment, there is something seductive about the person with the expensive car, outfit, or drink.
But in the long run, it is those who have learned to become content with the simple things in life that inspire the most. It seems to me their simpler tastes have provided more opportunity for impact in other ways.
There are, of course, some people who pursue minimalism because of their fancy tastes. Owning fewer items allows them to have higher quality, more expensive things. I understand that fully.
But for me, I have a certain level of joy and contentment in keeping my tastes simple, I think you will too.
Joan M says
Excellent thoughts on being content. I could have written this myself!!?
It is a exactly how I try to live my life. While I like and appreciate fine things, I don’t need them to be happy and anything I don’t have to cook is wonderful.
Thankful and Grateful!!!
Linda from Australia says
I love what this guy has to say, always enjoy his writing. He is inspirational and has helped/is helping me on my journey. Some friends find the whole exercise into minimalism a little amusing or perhaps baffling. When is Linda going to get over this? When is she going to start getting back normal? What’s wrong with her?
I suspect the answer is never. It is a work in progress; starting with my financially (very?) comfortable, young retiree status, living happily alone in a three-bedroom house stuffed with possessions and memories, it was never going to happen overnight.
And now we have The Virus. And I live in Melbourne, Australia, the Corona Virus capital of my beautiful country where we are now in Stage 4 lockdown. This is complete with the first-ever (in this country) nightly curfew imposed on its citizens. So, I have lots of opportunity to declutter my cupboards, my photos, my files, my thoughts, my possessions and to feel gratitude for my situation. And do you know what? I feel in control of things. I am less stressed. I derive real pleasure from simple things, like a little old fashioned comfort food occasionally, seeing a corner in a room or a cupboard decluttered.
This is a journey, a philosophy of life, the antidote to rampant commercialism and materialism.
Thanks, Josh.
PS I very happily have two eggs on toast for lunch, very nearly every day.
Kara says
Yep, a couldn’t make it through the first paragraph or two without the words, “South Dakota Folks” leaving much lips. I ate a great deal of bologna sandwiches and hot dogs on a slice of bread. Kitty Clover twin packs of wavy potato chips and the onion dip made with fresh sour cream and French onion soup mix. And then of course the alternative was tuna salad sandwich And if you were lucky and mom was eating “healthy” that week you might even get some alfalfa sprouts on top and get to eat it out of a pita! I have found that I’ve changed some of my recipes, but still like to keep it simple. Meat, rice, beans, potatoes, vegetables.
joshua becker says
Nice!
Darlene says
My husband and I are raising a second set of children. Our first “set” are grown up and on their own. They understand and appreciate these simple ideas. Our 2nd set, joined our family older and have brought some other beliefs with them about brand names and must haves.
We share and live out our ideas of simple with them, in hopes they will catch on.
Anna Lee Austin says
I like what you said about gratitude. Almost every day, I thank God for things I am grateful. The list goes from five to 12. It makes my life richer. And the more I write the more I have to be grateful. Things like nature, friends, family,healing, fun, beauty can be taken for granted. Thank you for your wise words.
Bonnie says
Thank you Joshua, for all your thoughts and encouragement to live a simple life. I have used the principles of minimalism in my life for the last 5 years or so, and your website is the one I visit the most. My hubby and I have 5 kids and minimalism has helped me tremendously to navigate life and all of its ups and downs. I have recently started working full time (at a seniors care home) and I have not worked full time since before being married (more than 20 years ago). I was definitely nervous to start, but I noticed fairly quickly that I (and my family) have been able to adjust to our new reality quicker than I expected. I can see how choosing to live minimally and simply has made us more flexible to life’s new circumstances. My family wouldn’t consider themselves minimalist, but I have found that it works for me as an individual.
Thanks for your ongoing insights and encouragement!
Bonnie
Sue says
Wonderful article! Wise words. Took me back to my solid, simple South Dakota roots too. ❤
Eve says
I was raised as a cotton mill kid so we never had much biput even as a kid, I appreciated how my Mama could make do. I have never been drawn to the fancy cars or big houses. We drove a Silverado pickup for years and lived in smaller places. I never felt we missed out on anything.
Not a lot changed with this pandemic for us. My husband and I shop very little except for food and clothing can come from anywhere. I’m not ashamed to wear used clothing. He’s a musician out of work right now but due to our lifestyle. We will be fine. We could buy “things” but we choose not too. We do live on the Coast so there is a lot of free things to do.
Nonny Kudelka says
I really enjoyed this letter in particular. I’m 84, living in a studio apartment in an old folks home ((we don’t say that anymore, do we?)) for 2 years now. I’m also an artist and require a lot of “stuff” around me…. I so crave a 1 bedroom aptmt for the necessary space, and covet the empty ones I sneak peeks into… empty for, yes, the usual reason in a home like this. A neighbor just died, quite suddenly and awfully, and the suddenness made me stop in my tracks: I love my tiny space, my L shaped balcony filled with my plants and twining morning glories… … … and then I get this letter…. yes, I can make do… I can also make art….I’m re-arranging furniture and stuff… we’re in room isolation, no visitors… this is my home. I live here, as opposed to the contrary, like my dear neighbor…. bless her heart and yours, thank you. Nonny Kudelka
Betsy in MN says
What a great article! My husband and I agree that the living a simple life equals less stress. We are not fussy and enjoy the peace that brings.