Connecting to Nature Through Minimalism in Our Daily Routine

In our modern world of technology, we've distanced ourselves from our connection to nature. You see it in children who prefer video games over going outside to play and their parents who want to keep them inside for fear of a bee sting or poison ivy. But for older generations, there are fond memories of the smell of dirt and moss from the creek. They spent time in nature making mud pies, climbing trees and digging for worms. They used their imaginations laying in the grass and deciding what each cloud looked like as it passed and used their hands to turn dandelion into floral crowns.

By disconnecting with nature, we are disconnecting from ourselves. Every living thing is tied to nature and its schedule. There is a natural rhythm that is meant to be followed with the rising and setting of the sun, the changing of the seasons and the flow of our daily routine. Yet, we choose the convenience of a lamp so we can read past nightfall which disrupts our sleep cycle, we control the temperature of our homes with thermostats and grab our cellphones to check social media the second we wake up. We have decided to extend our days to get as many things accomplished instead of letting our minds and bodies unwind and relax.

It's undeniable the connection we have to nature. There is a reason why people correlate strange behavior in others with a full moon. By disconnecting with nature, we become ill, stressed, unfocused and tired. Inconsistent schedules make our bodies unsure of when the next meal is or when it will get to rest.

By creating a daily routine aligned with nature, we can be comforted knowing that we have stability and a reliable day ahead of us. We can also do things to reconnect with nature and once again become part of the community of plants and animals that we live in.

Wake Before Sunrise

If you find it hard to wake up in the morning, it's probably because you have been on an inconsistent sleep schedule. If you wake up before sunrise and do things to slowly work your way out of sleep, it has time to wake naturally and with the sun. This is much healthier than being jolted out of bed to a screeching alarm clock and relying on strong coffee to force your body awake. If you must rely on an alarm clock, make it something pleasant to hear like birds chirping or ocean waves.

Have a Morning Routine

Once you are out of bed, do things to prepare yourself for the day ahead. Doing yoga or quiet reflection can bring your mind into focus.

Keep Consistent Meal Times

If your body is used to a meal schedule, it will know when to expect to eat again. This means less snacking to get through the day and relying on unhealthy alternatives such as vending machines.

Eat Seasonally

One of the many advantages of shopping farmers markets is you can only purchase what's in season. You will learn to appreciate seasonal fruits and vegetables if you can only have at certain times of the year.

Take Time to Go Outside

You don't have to live in the forest or mountains to take advantage of nature all around you. Even city dwellers have parks and greenhouses to explore. Something as simple as a walk through the neighborhood (without music) and listening to the birds and rustling trees will relieve stress. Take your shoes off and walk on the grass to connect with the earth.

Don't Leave Dishes in the Sink

Knowing that you have everything taken care of at the end of the day is important in order to not feel as if you have things on your to-do list when you go to bed at night. It is easier to sleep without worry and its comforting to wake up to a clean house to start your day. Make it a habit to take care of little chores today so you have a clean home to wake up to tomorrow.

Unwind at Sunset

Your body rhythms should be aligned with nature. So when the sun sets, that's when you need to start transitioning to sleep and begin the process of slowing down your mind. Some ways you can unwind and prepare for rest are taking a warm bath, diffusing your favorite essential oils, drinking warm milk or meditating. This time should be spent without technology distractions or bright lights that will keep you awake like television, cell phones or erasers. It is vital that this time is consistent each night in order to regulate your sleep patterns.

Waste Not, Want Not - A Minimalist Take on Zero Waste

An important part of being a minimalist is recognizing the effects our consumer habits have on our lives. But while we make our internal space cleaner and clutter free, we are essentially adding to the waste of oceans and landfills in our external space. If we can learn how to take ownership of the waste we create, we can help to alleviate the problem through the choices we make on a daily basis.

Food

Coffee press

This is a big one for me because it upsets me so to see people who use coffee makers that use plastic pods. The convenience of the coffee makers makes them a popular choice, but those plastic coffee pods are probably the worst possible way to make coffee when it comes to the waste you are creating. Plus, shooting hot water through plastic is basically drinking chemicals. Slightly better are coffee makers that require a filter. While paper filters are quick to decompose, there is actually an even better option available in the form of a french press. Because they have a mesh filter, you can save money and the environment by not needing a disposable paper version.

Coffee grounds for face mask

You are probably wondering how making coffee could be zero waste since there is always coffee grounds left over. The good news is the coffee grounds can be used to make a face scrub. Here is the recipe:

• 4 Tablespoons coconut, olive, or preferred oil
• 6 Tablespoons very finely ground used coffee

Mix together and store in an airtight container in the fridge and it will keep for a week.

Eat fresh food without packaging

This one is pretty self explanatory. If you use fresh ingredients, especially ones from the farmers market, you will not have any cans, plastic wrap or lids to trash. Any peels or seeds can be composted.

Compost

Keep a miniature compost bin on your kitchen counter to collect food waste to take to the compost pile/bin when it gets full. Just remember that meat cannot be composted.

Paper

Pay bills online

It's quicker and paperless. Another important aspect of this method is you are keeping those envelopes with plastic windows out of your home. Those plastic windows contain BPA and if you throw them in the recycle bin, they contaminate all the recycled waste with BPA. This is something to keep in mind if you are purchasing recycled products, like toilet paper, that you use on your body.

Cancel subscriptions/catalogs

You don't need those things anyway because anything you bring into the home has to replace something you already have.

Ask for reusable coffee cups

When visiting coffee shops, ask for your latte in a ceramic mug to save from the waste created from a paper disposable cup. 

Use reusable bags

If you reuse your bags, you won't bring bags into your home. Take extras to give to the person in line behind you and start the trend!

Decline receipts

Those receipts that turn black when exposed to the sun contain BPA in the ink. If you decline the receipt, you are keeping that BPA off of your hands. Most companies now offer the option to email your receipt.

Water

Collect water in watering can

I tend to get a glass of water and set it somewhere then forget where I left it. One way to keep from wasting that water is to keep a watering can that you pour the old water into to water your plants with.

Rain barrel

Keep a rain barrel to collect rain water to water your plants. You can also use this water to water your indoor plants with a watering can.

Drink tap water

It's free and doesn't come in a wasteful bottle! Not to mention the plastic chemicals that could have leached into your water during the shipment process if the delivery truck got hot enough.

The Minimalist Budget

Living with less can help you save money when you don't have as many things to care for and maintain. But being a minimalist also forces you to reevaluate your spending habits. The last thing you want to do is spend time getting rid of clutter only to turn around and buy replacements for everything.

Here is a look at some ways you can save money and live on a minimalist budget.

Food

Order water

If you plan to eat out, skip the soda or alcohol and instead opt for water. It's a free and healthier option.

Cook from scratch

Have you ever looked at the cost difference between a bag of shredded cheese and a block of cheese? Not only is the block of cheese cheaper but it has more ounces in it. It may take longer to shred the cheese yourself, but the money you save will add up in the long run.

Use up pantry

Before you make another grocery store run, take stock of what you have in your pantry. You may find that if you get creative, you could plan a meal for a week with the ingredients you already have on hand.

Get a basket instead of a cart

Just as eating off a smaller plate keeps you from overeating, shopping with a hand basket instead of a shopping cart has the same effect. Not only will having less room keep you from throwing unnecessary things into it that weren't on your shopping list, but the weight of having to carry all those things is another incentive to keep it light.

Stick to your shopping list or only take limited cash

Another way to keep from purchasing things that are not on your shopping list is to only take enough cash to cover the cost of the items on your list. Keep in mind that cash is money that is actually there while a credit line is not.

Home

Make your own cleaners and personal care products

Not only are household cleaners dangerously toxic, but there's nothing a little vinegar and baking soda can't clean for a lot cheaper. Why store all those different cleaners when you can have an all-purpose one that doesn't make you cough from all the added chemicals?

Fix broken things

Simple things like sewing a button back on or darning a sock can save you money in the long run and keep clothing out of the landfill. 

Hang dry clothes

If you don't have a clothing line in your backyard, you can find clothing racks that can be folded and stored away when not in use.

Turn down the heater/air conditioner

At night when you are warm under the covers, set your home temperature between 50 and 60 degrees to save money on heating and cooling. When the weather is comfortable, turn off your heating and cooling completely and rely on open windows and ceiling fans to regulate the temperature.

Walk everywhere

If you live in walking distance to places you frequent, think about walking instead of driving. This routine will not only save you money on gas, but will also help you get exercise and fresh air.

Shopping

Make use of credit card rewards

Although cash is the recommended form of payment for purchases, you obviously cannot pay for online purchases with cash. If you are going to have a credit card for these transactions, make sure it's one you will get rewards on in the form of cash back.

Unsubscribe from catalogs and emails

Out of sight, out of mind. If you don't see it, how will you know you want it? Save trees and money by asking companies to remove you from their snail mail list.

Pay bills online

Save from having to buy stamps by paying bills online.

Utilize the library for books & movies

Only buy books or movies that you know you will read more than once. For all other books and movies, put those tax dollars to work and check it out from the library.