Why We Ditched the Fast Life and Found Peace in Simplicity
I’ve been wanting to write this post for a while — partly because I think so many of us feel it, and partly because I need the reminder myself sometimes. The fast-paced world we live in constantly tells us to hustle, accumulate, and always strive for more. But a few years ago, we decided to do something a little radical.
We chose to slow down.
We made the decision to ditch the fast life and fully embrace simplicity — and let me tell you, it changed everything.
This is the story of how we went from feeling burned out and busy to feeling present, grateful, and truly at peace in our home.
🏃♀️ Before the Shift: When Everything Felt Too Fast
For a long time, we lived just like most people do. We were always rushing — rushing to work, to school, to church, to appointments. We rushed to cook, to clean, to answer texts, to scroll through social media. Our days were full, but our hearts felt… empty.
I remember lying in bed at night, exhausted, wondering where the day had gone. We were living in a beautiful house, with healthy kids and good jobs, but something was missing. We were present physically, but not emotionally. We were there — but we weren’t there.
Meals were rushed. Family time was short. And I often found myself dreaming of something different — something slower, quieter, more meaningful.
Maybe you know that feeling too?
🌿 The First Step: Choosing Intention Over Perfection
It didn’t happen all at once. There wasn’t one dramatic decision that changed everything. Instead, it was a series of small choices.
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We stopped overbooking our calendar.
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We said no to things that didn’t align with our values.
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We cut back on screen time — especially during dinner and evenings.
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We started cooking more meals at home and eating them together — around the table, not in front of the TV.
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We paid more attention to the rhythm of our days instead of the rush of our to-do lists.
And most importantly… we made peace a priority in our home.
We weren’t chasing Pinterest-perfect rooms or Instagram-worthy moments. We just wanted a home that felt calm, connected, and full of grace.
🏡 Simplicity in Our Home Life
One of the biggest changes happened inside our house.
We began decluttering — not just our closets and cabinets, but our minds and routines. We simplified everything:
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Our meals became more homemade and less store-bought.
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Our mornings became slower, with more time for quiet and coffee.
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Our kids had fewer toys, but played more creatively.
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Our evenings were filled with books, board games, and heart-to-heart conversations.
The more we removed, the more we gained.
It wasn’t about minimalism in the trendy sense. It was about making room for what really matters — faith, family, peace, and purpose.
Our home is far from perfect. We still have messy days and loud moments. But it’s also a place where our souls can breathe.
🧡 What We Gained By Slowing Down
Here are just a few things that changed once we embraced a slower lifestyle:
1. Stronger Family Bonds
When we stopped rushing, we started connecting. We had time to talk — really talk — with our kids, our spouses, and even with God.
2. More Gratitude
We stopped constantly chasing more and started appreciating what we already had. A warm meal, a cozy blanket, a giggle from the kids — all of it became more beautiful when we weren’t too busy to notice it.
3. Less Stress
Without the constant pressure to do it all, we felt lighter. There was more peace in our hearts and in our home.
4. Deeper Faith
Stillness gave us time to listen. To pray more intentionally. To reflect. To be present with God in a way we hadn’t been when life was moving too fast.
✨ How We Keep Simplicity at the Center
People often ask, “But how do you stay slow in such a fast world?” It’s not always easy, but here are a few habits we try to keep:
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We protect our time — we don’t say yes to everything.
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We value presence over perfection — we’d rather have messy fun than polished stress.
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We focus on rhythms, not routines — life isn’t a checklist, it’s a flow.
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We let go of comparison — what works for someone else may not work for our family, and that’s okay.
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We invite peace into every room — through music, lighting, quiet corners, and love.
🌻 Simplicity Doesn’t Mean Doing Nothing
Let me be clear — choosing simplicity isn’t about doing nothing. We still have busy days. We still work hard. We still have goals and plans.
But we’ve learned to build in rest, to slow our pace, and to center our days on what matters most.
It’s not about stepping away from life — it’s about stepping into it more fully.
💬 Let’s Make This a Conversation
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Thank you for caring about your home, your heart, and the kind of life you want to build.
I’d love to hear from you:
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Have you felt the pull to slow down?
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What does a peaceful home look like for your family?
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Have you made any small changes that made a big difference?
👇 Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it. You don’t have to live on a farm or bake your own bread to live the pioneer lifestyle — it’s really about values, intention, and choosing peace in a world that runs on chaos.
Thanks for stopping by and being part of this journey. Here’s to simple days, full hearts, and homes that feel like heaven on earth.
With love,
– Kathy
