Great video, Jane! I too am an introvert but didn’t know it for years as I thought being an introvert meant being shy and quiet; I am neither but I have a very low tolerance for socialising and need solid at-home-just-being time afterwards. Complex, chaotic, speedy living is complete anathema to me and I feel so sorry for people who live those kind of lives. One of the reasons I so enjoy your channel is because I get a sense of calm from your videos. Keep up the good work!

I think we all just need to Be More Archie!

you have just made me realise that im an introvert too, i get so anxious about events or parties with people i don't know. i spend my time with just my family, 2 friends and my little dogs, i dont have many friends either and i am an only child , thank you for a lovely video xx

I have enjoyed the slow life since retiring, and a relaxed pace without a filled calendar has been just wonderful.

Society has developed, in my opinion, to a level of complexity that places burdens and stressors on people. It also is geared to make money. Who came up with 'retail therapy'?-- isn't that a contradiction in terms? There is pressures on all members of the nuclear/ and non-nuclear family. Moms 'have to' do certain things: PTA, secretary of the skating club, volunteer at childrens' reading group?, drive the girls to dance and the boys to hockey and soccer (I live in Ontario and I did all those things). I quit my high paying job to be home to raise the kids. Now divorced I make much less than my ex-- that's OK, I raised the kids. Men have pressures of work, of being the breadwinner, of still being 'one of the boys', and children have all the pressures of school and peer groups, even with uniforms, do some wear more expensive shoes?, do some get phones earlier?, do some get to do more things? The pressures that the parents place on the children. Its a mad world, evolving out of control.

I agree I'm not a minimalist I love my home decor.😊

Archie’s not rushing is he! 😆 I think he’s read the book 😂

I cut my working hours to part time,if i feel I want to work an extra day I can but no pressure ,I'm an introvert need time to myself and two dogs ,I like to potter in the house and garden,I live alone so something for my health and to connect with other people I go to slimming world once a week.meet friends for coffee occasionally if I get too much to do I become overwhelmed so try and take life gently ,agree with what you say such a fast paced society ,time to step off it x

I love getting up early to enjoy my morning. It isn't about productivity.

Such lovely curtains, Jane ! And all the points you've made about rushing are more than valid. I feel like when I was a kid, there was no Facebook, no food delivery, no meal kits , but life felt a lot calmer and the day wasn't rushing away. I remember cooking with mom every Saturday/Sunday and feeling joy just in doing that. ❤

I live on a ranch.with my husband.we have old horses a old mule.they are 30 t0 32 years old.i had them since they were2 years old and 9 months old.good feed.2 dogs 2 cats 4 goats.and 5 chickens.every body have names.they are pets.favorite things to do.for fun is a kitty pool with a raft im 66 years old.i float in it.a table with a glass of ice tea with lemon and sugar. And listen to oldies music.good books and art.i turn the chickens loose feed them treats.sit with them and watch them.keep life simple.❤

Next month I’m reducing my work days from five to three, I can’t wait I’m tired of the role I do and sitting in my home office on my own every day. But this will leave me £1000 worse off per month. Just at a time when I’m starting to save. So I’m going to see how it goes. Because whilst I am not a shopper there are things needing to be done in the home. I’d like to find a job the other two days at Waitrose or something. But I know that cutting back for now is the right thing to do. Thanks Jane xxx

Love this video. You don´t have to be a hardcore minimalist to have a simple life.

Like you i am not a minimalist and love to surround myself with things i consider beautiful….to me my home is my happy place. The simple things make me so happy,a funny film on tv,a glass of orange juice and a bar of dairy milk and im in heaven lol.

I set aside most mornings, 6 days a week, to ride my horse…it’s my mental break. House and gardens aren’t perfect but I need to get out on him!

Great video, I find a simpler life is a happier one.

Good video. Good information. The busy, full life is a lie. It is tiring and destructive but somehow applauded. One must have the ability to use common sense when choosing their lifestyle. It often goes against trends and certainly advertising. I’d say be brave. Swimming uphill or dancing to the beat of one’s own drum is oh so much more fulfilling.

Simple living frugual living is a mindset

I don’t think I’ve commented before, but I watch every one of your videos. This is my favourite and resonated so much with me. I’m going to add this video to my ‘keep’ playlist to rewatch regularly - thank you! I wish I’d realised earlier that I was an introvert. I always had to escape from our guests to my bedroom for a 10 minute quiet break.

If people want to be minimalists with everything black and white and empty, that's fine. It's when kids have to live in those bare environments that it's really depressing. No one needs a lot of stuff but kids need some stimulation and color. Maybe the parents find it relaxing but it must be horrible for kids. And how can they be normal kids when everything is white? I can't imagine what happens if they spill something.

Really great video. Thank you. Love working in my yard and surrounded by my children, plants

The best video yet Jane 👌

So true, I have found since going back to work my life has instantly become much less simple- having to try hard to carve out quiet time to just relax! I also find it spreads to the rest of the family if I am in a bit of a flap so is everyone else 🙂

Loved this video, thank you for sharing. Slowing down and being mindful of each and every task each day. Learning to love even the most mundane tasks by focusing on the "why".

Absolutely agree with you Jane, i also like time to myself and simple activities ect a very good video enjoyed it thank you x

Really thought provoking video. I reduced my work to 4 days due to a high blood pressure diagnosis and absolutely needing to change things. I can’t tell you how much difference that extra day makes to the quality of my life but without losing too much income and other benefits such as pension, sick pay etc. I work for a council and we really struggle to recruit people, in some roles particularly and are having to look at offering more flexibility as we can’t just offer more money and people seem to want roles that better fit in with their lives. It’s a good step in the right direction. I love days to potter and not have anything planned. I think you’d love Tom Hodgkinson’s books, how to be idle and how to be free, very interesting takes on our bonkers culture and all about how thrift can equal freedom, some laugh out loud moments too. Enjoy your home and the things you have now. Holiday at home, go car camping, we live on amazingly beautiful islands here in the UK, you don’t have to travel far to find wonderful scenery, peace and quiet. I painted a cheap dressing table this week and thought of your beautiful dresser. Love your channel and your vibe x

I agree with you. My girls spent time just playing with their friends, both in the neighborhood and from church. They did take piano, dance, swimming lessons, sports etc but only one thing at a time. They attended camp every summer and we went camping as a family. We were frugal. One thing that kept us from getting over extended was finding families that had the same economic ideas as we did. Your advice is good.

Very thought-provoking! Thank you, Jane!

Ahh look at Archie ❤. Is he better now?

I agree with you wholeheartedly! I have been steeping back, evaluating, and opting out of many things for several years now. I am a friendly introvert and I need my time alone and time at home in order to recharge. I have tried to fashion a life at home that I don't continually need "away from".

Great video and very timely for me here in the United States.

Great vlog, and I’m the same way being organized is a time saver, and a minimalist is boring, yes.❤

Very good video. Thank you ❤

I too loved the Slow book by Carl Honore and its message. Having just spent last weekend in London for a show and sightseeing - was I glad to get back home. Everything we did was so fast paced and hectic there - all a blur. Could never live there full time for sure. And don't even ask how much we paid for a small bottle of water in the O2 ?!.!

Lovely video as usual . I agree since the pandemic things have been out of kilter . I had hope that it would a reset, a time to realise what is really important l think it has had the opposite effect . Your videos are thought provoking and l am sure they resonate with many. 🎉🎉🎉

Avoid hot mess mode