Thinking man back in the day before I lived simple

6/30 Edited to

... Read moreLooking back to a time before I embraced a simple lifestyle, I often find myself reflecting on how complexity used to dominate my daily routine. Life seemed filled with endless distractions, responsibilities, and consumerist habits that clouded my ability to focus on what truly mattered. The phrase "thinking man" resonates because it captures that moment of pause and pondering, a time when I deliberately considered the path I was on. Living simply is not just about reducing material possessions but about cultivating a mindset that values mindfulness, intention, and clarity. When I transitioned into simpler living, I noticed profound changes in my well-being. Stress levels decreased, and I found more time to engage in meaningful activities like connecting with nature or spending quality time with friends and family. Visiting places like Superior, as mentioned, can further inspire simplicity. Immersing myself in natural environments allowed for deep reflection and the appreciation of life's fundamental pleasures without excess. This experience truly taught me the importance of slowing down and being present. For anyone contemplating a similar shift, I recommend starting small—such as decluttering physical spaces or setting boundaries for digital consumption. Over time, these small actions accumulate and foster a lifestyle that prioritizes peace and purpose over busyness and distraction. Ultimately, thinking deeply about where we have been and where we want to go is essential to living simply and authentically. This approach nurtures resilience, improves mental clarity, and encourages a richer connection to ourselves and the world around us.

Related posts

💙 When Overthinking Takes Over 💛
Overthinking has been one of the hardest battles for me. When you’ve lived through trauma, addiction in your family, loss, disappointment, and relationships that didn’t feel safe, your mind learns to stay on high alert. It starts looking for danger before it happens. It fills in the blanks. It p
Jessica Irene

Jessica Irene

689 likes

A flat lay image of a desk with books, a planner, and a pen, featuring the overlay text 'How to fight against PROCRASTINATION'. A cartoon squirrel character is visible in the bottom left corner.
A mobile app screenshot showing a daily planner with reminders for tasks like writing a term paper and revising a report, illustrating the tip 'Break It Down and Set Reminders'.
A mobile app screenshot displaying a chat interface with a conversation about clarifying goals and purpose, highlighting a 'Reflection' option, illustrating the tip 'Clarify Your Goals and Your “Why”'.
🌀3 Simple Tips to Overcome Procrastination ⬇️
We’ve all been there — staring at a task we know we need to do, but somehow, we can’t bring ourselves to start. Procrastination can feel like an endless cycle of delays, and before we know it, deadlines are creeping up. But here’s the truth: procrastination doesn’t have to be your constant comp
Lifelight_app

Lifelight_app

690 likes

The Simple Bible Study Method Every Christian Need
Do you ever open your Bible and wonder where to start? 📖✨ The SOAP Method is one of the easiest ways to slow down, understand Scripture, and apply God's Word to your everyday life. In this carousel, I'll walk you through each step, Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer, so you
Drawn By Scripture

Drawn By Scripture

290 likes

TRUE CRIME: The man who un*lived his family


TRUE CRIME: The man who un*lived his family #truecrime #truecrime #truecrimecommunity #makeupandtruecrime #makeupstorytime #storytime
SelfCare Sister

SelfCare Sister

381 likes

How I Got Rich Before 30‼️‼️‼️
I shared what worked for me, but everyone’s journey is different. If you’re trying to build wealth too, drop where you’re at right now — saving? investing? side hustling? Let’s talk about it! #jeurney #moneylifestyle #rich #lemon8bookclub #Lemon8Diary
Officialbri Financebabe

Officialbri Financebabe

1529 likes

Normalize Lived-in Home: No Decor in My Bedroom
My husband and I have moved into this house for almost two years now. We did have lots of thoughts about how to decorate the space in our bedroom. As time goes, we still haven’t started yet 😆 🖼️No wall arts, no extra throw pillows or blanket, no decor pieces, no style corners, etc. But honest
JustbeJune

JustbeJune

2098 likes

Overthinking again? Try this before it spirals…
When your thoughts start looping, it’s not about forcing your mind to stop. It’s about giving your nervous system something safe to anchor to so your thoughts can soften naturally. These simple tools help you pause, reset, and come back to the present when your mind feels loud. ✨ Comment “WIN
valeswellness

valeswellness

123 likes

Thinking of stepping into your witch era?
🌙 Here’s a simple, non-overwhelming breakdown of how to start your witchcraft practice — whether you’re spiritual, intuitive, or just curious. 🪄 Step 1: Cleanse Your Space Clear old energy before you begin. Use: • Smoke (sage, cedar, rosemary) • Sound (chimes, claps, singing bowls) • Salt (
Sabrina

Sabrina

350 likes

Two hospital doors are shown, one for the "EMERGENCY ROOM" and the other for the "OPERATING ROOM," both illuminated with red signs. This image visually represents the medical analogies used in the article about healing and diagnosis.
God Healed My Cancer
Chapter 1 — Unconditional Love Before anybody panics, relax. It is not what you think. I do not have cancer. I am just in love with one. July 6. And before I go any further, I made her a promise that I would not leave her side no matter how difficult the journey became. A promi
Kevin W. Simpson

Kevin W. Simpson

4 likes

A Black woman smiles in the Starfield Library, Suwon, a multi-level space with towering bookshelves. Overlay text introduces her travel to South Korea for 3 months, sharing favorite places in Part 1/3.
A vibrant night market scene in Myeongdong, South Korea, with neon signs, bustling crowds, and shops. Overlay text highlights Myeongdong Street & Night Market for great food, shopping, and late hours.
Traditional Korean hanok houses with tiled roofs and a stone wall, offering a view of the N Seoul Tower in the distance. Overlay text describes Namsangol Hanok Village as having traditional houses and no crowds.
I lived in Korea for 3 months as a Black Girl ❤️
Part 1/3 🇰🇷 South Korea was such a dream! I’m ready to travel to other places and grow my love for other places! - Myeongdong ST and Night Market - Namsongol Hanok Village - Starfield Library Suwon Hoping to go to Europe this summer so fingers crossed! I pray I continue to be blessed i
LaRiah Glasper

LaRiah Glasper

849 likes

A young woman takes a mirror selfie in a bathroom, wearing a rust-colored top and white shorts. Text overlays read "WHAT I WISH I KNEW GOING INTO COLLEGE" and "As an almost junior."
Three young women smile and pose together at night, with balloons in the background. The image includes the text "Number 1: Make friends right away!".
A group of young people, including several smiling women and a man, are gathered together. The image features the text "Number 2: Learn to say no.".
Things I wish I knew before college!
1: Make friends as soon as you get there. Being a freshman makes it super easy to talk to new people because you get to say “hey! I’m new here and I’m trying to meet new people and make new friends. Wanna hang out sometime?” 2: Learn to say no. There are going to be nights that going out seems s
Cassie Covey

Cassie Covey

275 likes

End the Cycle of Overthinking & Live in the Moment
I know you’ve been there. You finish a conversation, maybe it’s with a friend, a coworker, or even someone you’re talking to for the first time, and then... boom. You’re stuck in your head replaying every word, every expression, every little thing you said and did. It’s like a broken record, and I’
Chalie_Baker

Chalie_Baker

78 likes

I still can't believe how she lived
#cleaning #motivation #housecleaning #bathroom Today’s cleaning job was supposed to be simple… until everything changed. What started as a normal deep-clean in a heavily neglected bathroom quickly turned into something none of us were prepared for. As we worked our way through layers of
Clean with Barbie

Clean with Barbie

1262 likes

A kitchen counter with a sink full of dishes, an Instant Pot, bread, and other items, illustrating a lived-in home. The text overlay asks to normalize lived-in homes.
An overflowing laundry basket filled with clean clothes and a large pink stuffed animal, illustrating the concept of normalizing baskets of clean laundry waiting to be folded.
An older white washing machine with its lid open and a dryer with clothes, alongside laundry detergent. The text advocates for normalizing older appliances as not everyone can afford new ones.
Normalize lived in homes and real life!
I have been looking for real life content all over sm and it's so hard to find the real people out there! Don't get me wrong I like seeing cleaning videos and love a good restock but can we get some real mommas out here like me with not the newest appliances and top notch $800 vacuums clean
ArielWilliams☺️

ArielWilliams☺️

2693 likes

📚6 Finance Books That Actually Changed How I Lived
🌱 You don’t need a finance degree. You just need the right books (and some late-night overthinking). Whether you’re saving your first $1k or plotting your early retirement, these books helped me think differently about money. Not richer, just… sharper. 1️⃣ The Latte Factor – David Bach 💡Quick
ShelfbyAriel

ShelfbyAriel

203 likes

5 daily stretches that help my back spasms 🤍
I lived with back pain for years—the kind that made it hard to sit, stand, or sleep without discomfort. I kept thinking it was just part of being “busy” or “getting older” … until the spasms became daily and I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I tried everything. Heating pads, posture hacks, massage t
Michelle G.

Michelle G.

21 likes

Why a cluttered home ≠ a lived in home
In my podcast, I touch on how people in my comments were so eager to hold onto their clutter after I made a video about how clutter can ease the mind. It showed me how clear it is that people equaled a lived, and home to a cluttered home and I needed to make sure I cleared up that inconsistency. Li
Vibe Curator’s Guide

Vibe Curator’s Guide

33 likes

Singing the Smallest man who ever lived
Smallest man who ever lived by Taylor swift. Requested by @sara_smu. I hope you like my cover. #thesmallestmanwhoeverlived #taylorswift #singing #cover
Angelvoice

Angelvoice

16 likes

Things I do before the 1st day of classes
Classes begin in 3 days for me and many of my profs released their syllabi, which means it’s time for me to finalize everything so! So here are the things I do to keep myself organized for the term: 1️⃣ record due dates - this applies to exam dates, tutorial meetings, any special dates my prof
Emily H.

Emily H.

53 likes

Journal: Amber episode 1 of 3
Chapter 1 — The Anniversary Gift The train smelled like summer. Sweat. Basketball. And bad decisions. I sat by the window with my basketball wedged between my knees and watched Summit disappear behind me. Back then I was fifteen years old. A sophomore in high school. My pare
Kevin W. Simpson

Kevin W. Simpson

1 like

Things I wish I knew before I moved out
From building my routines, to accumulating entertaining pieces, to checking expiration dates in my pantry… I never thought these would be things to consider when moving out, but its what I’ve learned over time. Here are some not-so-typical answers when thinking about what I wish I knew before m
christiedimeo

christiedimeo

330 likes

Journal: Angela 3 of 3
Part 1 — The Mirror The shower was already running before I fully understood why. Steam crawled slowly across the bathroom mirror until my reflection started disappearing piece by piece. First my eyes. Then my mouth. Then the rest of me. That felt about right. The man standing
Kevin W. Simpson

Kevin W. Simpson

1 like

Journal: Maya
Part 1 — Chemistry Can you feel chemistry with someone before you ever speak to them? It happened to me one night in a small coffee shop during an open mic poetry event. The place was dimly lit in that warm amber glow cafés seem to favor after dark. Outside the windows the city moved at it
Kevin W. Simpson

Kevin W. Simpson

2 likes

A Bible page open to Isaiah 44:13, featuring the phrase "HE has MADE A way THROUGH THE Sea" in blue. Illustrations include fish and a jellyfish in blue water next to a rocky shore, with "BIBLE ART" in pink.
A Bible page open to Psalm 57:5, with the handwritten text "Without Knowing The Outcome.. CHOOSE GOD'S GLORY Psalm 57" on the left margin. Various verses in the Psalm are highlighted.
A Bible page open to Psalm 35:28, featuring handwritten text "let the KING OF MY heart BE THE WIND inside my sails THE ANCHOR IN THE WAVES OH HE IS MY song" on the right margin.
SIMPLE BIBLE ART
#biblestudy #christian #art #jesuslovesyou #fyp
Emmy_hope09

Emmy_hope09

8 likes

this one’s for anyone who grew up thinking they’d live in a tuscan home one day🍇
tuscan decor was one of the defining styles of the late ’90s and 2000s. think Eva Longoria’s home in Desperate Housewives. inspired by rustic Italian interiors, tuscan decor embraced dark wood, wrought iron, stone finishes, warm earth tones, arches, and richly layered rooms that felt inviting
Suzie Gomez

Suzie Gomez

249 likes

Journal: Team Courtney vs Team Madison
Chapter 1 — Ghost Town Christmas break turns college towns into ghost towns. One day there are thousands of students everywhere. The next day they’re gone. Parking lots empty. Dorm windows dark. Hallways silent. Even the traffic seems to disappear. The Super 8 wasn’t any dif
Kevin W. Simpson

Kevin W. Simpson

1 like

Healing Can Feel Empty Before It Feels Peaceful
One of the strangest parts of healing is that peace doesn't always feel peaceful at first. For years, your nervous system may have been familiar with: constant stress overthinking emotional highs and lows people pleasing survival mode So when life becomes quieter... your body can
Catalyst Life Coaching

Catalyst Life Coaching

4 likes

Break Laziness With Simple Daily Mindset Cures
10 Types Of Laziness And The Simple Cure For Each One Plenty of days feel slow, heavy, or stuck, and it is easy to think it is just laziness. This picture breaks down the real reasons people freeze up and the simple cures that help you get moving again. These are things regular people deal with
fig3lvls

fig3lvls

185 likes

Simple Bible journaling Inspo
#biblejournalwithme #journalbible #biblejournalideas #bible study and prayer journal #Lemon8Diary
Lexi Brianne 🪼

Lexi Brianne 🪼

83 likes

Journal: La’ Tonya 3 of 3
Chapter 1 — The Last Week By Wednesday morning, the blisters on my hands looked almost respectable. Not healed. Just less embarrassing. The little bubbles across my palms no longer screamed every time I touched a basketball. Now they only complained. According to my cousins, that
Kevin W. Simpson

Kevin W. Simpson

1 like

Positive Thinking + Manifesting Outcomes
You know what changed my life? Not a planner. Not a course. Not even motivation. It was the day I stopped expecting things to go wrong. For years I lived in “brace yourself” mode. If something good happened… I waited for the catch. If I tried something new… I prepared to fail before I starte
Danielle Daniels

Danielle Daniels

0 likes

A woman with curly hair, wearing a strapless pink dress and an earbud, reads a book in a dimly lit library. Text overlays ask 'why did he still lose her?' and introduce 'The Bookstore Introvert' from the Journal Series, reflecting the story's themes of attachment and control.
Journal: Brianna 2 of 3
Part 1: Don’t Get Attached She told me not to get attached. Then texted me like nothing happened. That message from the night before was already gone. Snapchat doesn’t leave you anything to hold on to. But I could still see it clear as day: Don’t get attached. No emoji. No expl
Kevin W. Simpson

Kevin W. Simpson

2 likes

A junk journal page titled "Junk journal Inspo" featuring various stickers including a pink 8-ball, Hello Kitty, a cupcake, a lamb, a Kewpie doll, and a slice of strawberry cake, all on a pink background.
A junk journal page titled "FAVORITE MUSIC LYRICS" displaying multiple cutouts resembling music player interfaces with song titles, artists, and lyrics from various songs, creating a collage effect.
A junk journal page titled "YOUR ROOM LAYOUT" showing a hand-drawn floor plan of a bedroom with furniture, accompanied by handwritten text describing the room and personal items within it.
Junk journal simple inspiration 🫶
These are some ideas for your junk journals to get you inspired!! ⭐️🎀 I just started but it’s been such a fun hobby and I recommend it to anyone if you’re bored!! #junkjournalideas #junkjournalinspiration #junkjournalflipthrough #junkjournal #lemon8diarychallenge
Maddie Pierce🌞

Maddie Pierce🌞

8 likes

The 365-day posting challenge sounds inspiring until you realize you’re still overthinking
Let me guess. You’re sitting here planning your 2026 content strategy thinking “this year I’ll finally post every single day.” You’re hyped. Motivated. Ready to commit. But here’s what’s actually going to happen: Day 1: You post. It feels good. Day 2: You post again. Still riding the high. Da
Denike 👑👑

Denike 👑👑

1 like

An Italian flag flies over a European landmark, with text introducing ETIAS as the European travel authorization and everything travelers need to know for their journey.
An airport scene with an overhead sign pointing to "International departures," accompanied by text clarifying that ETIAS is a travel authorization for European travel.
A woman wearing a hat and glasses uses a laptop, illustrating the online application process for ETIAS, with text stating it's applied for online and costs 7 euros.
Traveling to Europe? Know Before You Go: ETIAS‼️
Last year, I achieved my dream of traveling the world! My husband and I gave up our lease and lived nomadically for 10 months. We spent about three months in Europe, and let me tell you - it was a dream. The food, the people, the architecture... we fell in love. So much so that we’ve decided to ret
Your City Gal | NYC

Your City Gal | NYC

25 likes

“I lived this…
And Never want another Caregiver to feel unprepared “ (GO TO TikTok CareNest Living) #caregiver #eldercare #caregivingtips #sandwichgeneration #dementiacare
CareNest Living

CareNest Living

1 like

My aunt lived her life unmarried & childless ✨
While we lost my aunt way too soon, I find peace in knowing she passed doing what she loved after helping so many people all over the world. And it was all on her terms. 💖
Gwen Levey

Gwen Levey

506 likes

A person with dark hair leans over a desk filled with various journals and stationery. The image has text overlays: '10 Simple and fun ways to use your journal Journal ideas' and 'lemon8 @haley.ledford2'.
An open journal page features decorative stickers, including a butterfly and a woman's torso with flowers. Handwritten text expresses aspirations like writing a book and being an author, alongside a large heart drawing with a personal message.
A hand writes in a lined notebook, creating a 'Brain dump' list. The list includes tasks like 'take Pics For blog', 'write out Shopping List', and 'Clean out Kids toys'. A pink heart emoji is overlaid.
10 simple and fun ways to use your journal
1. Morning Pages: This concept comes from the book written by Julia Cameron called The Artist way. It’s basically as soon as you wake up you’re gonna write three pages of a brain dump. It doesn’t need to make sense it just needs to be something to clear your mind first thing in the morning, and I’
Spookyymama

Spookyymama

15 likes

The Stack Says Everything Before I Do. ✨
I love jewelry that feels lived in, the pieces that become part of you instead of just part of your outfit. No overthinking. No matching every detail. Just a stack that catches the light, tells a story, and somehow makes every coffee run, meeting, or drive feel a little more put together. I c
Poise ♍️

Poise ♍️

0 likes

…and lived happily ever after🤍
#quotes #quote #simplequote #happilyeverafter #goals
LifeIsBeautiful💗K🦋

LifeIsBeautiful💗K🦋

3 likes

HOW I ROMANTICIZE MY LIFE (simple ideas you can try)
One thing about me is that I'm going to romanticize every single little thing I do. And honestly, you should too. But if you're stuck on what that may look like, make sure to SAVE & FOLLOW to see how I implement these ideas regularly 💓 WHICH ONE RESONATED WITH YOU? Romanticize your life, romant
turnerbrit

turnerbrit

93 likes

My normal lived in house tour
#normalhouse #lemon8challenge #normalhouses #kitchenaesthetic #myhousebeautiful This is my normal house. I grew up in this house and went to college. I moved back home after college. It’s just me and my mom here now. We have lived in this house for 20+ years. Our front door is
Stephanie Dana

Stephanie Dana

441 likes

Life is simple
As time goes by, we begin to see more clearly. Life is not made of grand events or big achievements. Life is made of simple moments. A child running after the dog in the yard. People laughing, dancing without a reason. Someone cooking while another tells a silly story. A slow day with no ru
Spreadingodwords TheProject

Spreadingodwords TheProject

1 like

Book Quotes I Can’t Stop Thinking About
1 - The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde 2 - I’m Thinking of Ending Things, by Iain Reid 3 - House of Leaves, by Mark Z. Danielewski 4 - Norwegian Wood, by Haruki Murakami 5 - Cyrano De Bergerac, Rostand
iamhallelizz

iamhallelizz

7 likes

See more