When my husband and I made the jump for me to stay home with our two kids full-time, with him as the sole income for our family, we were both nervous. We knew we were about to sacrifice fancy dinner dates, extravagant trips abroad, and the thrill of buying the newest craze. What we didn’t foresee was the magnitude of the smaller, more meaningful, ordinary moments that would fill our days once we slowed down and began living more simply.
Our life is now full of intentional moments. We’ve learned how to stretch our dollar further and to think more carefully before making purchases. In turn, we’ve made much more room in our home and our days for meaningful time together. I’ve come to love thrifting for clothes and furniture. It allows us to give things a second life while making more sustainable choices. Those $200 dinners my husband and I used to love for date nights? I’ve learned how to recreate them at home. And our Saturday morning breakfasts, where my daughter helps me cook, now feel slower and more peaceful than any brunch out ever did.
Shopping looks vastly different from how it did years ago. Gone are the mindless strolls down Target aisles, waiting for something to catch my eye. Now, we consider whether a purchase will truly add value to our home, rather than clutter or a split-second desire. This shift in mindset has not only saved us money but also quieted that constant nag to “keep up with the Joneses.” “Enough” looks different for every family, and for us, “enough” now means cozy evenings at home, a home-cooked meal, and playing with the kids before bedtime.
Every family’s situation is unique, and for us, this was not a decision we made lightly. Years ago, I never could have imagined giving up trips, date nights out with my husband, or late-night scrolling on Amazon. Some families have both parents working because they need to, or simply because they love their careers. And I truly believe every family has to make the choices that are right for them. Living on one income isn’t the “right” way; it’s just our way. It’s what works for this season of our lives, and I feel immensely grateful that we’ve found a way to make it work, sacrifices and all.
There are definitely times when it’s challenging. Scrolling Instagram and seeing vacation photos from places we can’t afford, or classes I wish I could enroll my daughter in, it can be tough. I hold the quote “comparison is the thief of joy” close to my heart. When I look around at my kids’ laughter throughout the day, or run to the door to greet my husband when he returns from work, I remember our why.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that living simply doesn’t mean living without joy. It means finding joy in smaller, ordinary moments: going on breakfast picnics, discovering new local hiking spots, and spending quiet, cozy evenings at home.
We’re not perfect at living simply, and we continue to learn as we go. But choosing this lifestyle has allowed us to slow down, live with purpose, and truly discover what it means to live more on less.
