Economic Uncertainty and the Wisdom of Simple Living

In last week’s post, we talked about how food security begins in the garden—that peace can be planted, tended, and harvested like a crop. This week, I want to look at another kind of harvest: the quiet wealth of simple living.

Everywhere we turn, the world seems to grow more complicated—and expensive. Costs rise. Systems strain. The future feels like something decided by forces far away from our control. But here on the homestead, I’ve learned that life can be simpler, and less expensive by “taking an appetite suppressant” for the unnecessary conveniences and consumption we have all become addicted to. And working to develop a sense of contentment.

I am reminded of Paul’s letter to the Philipians when he told them of his own journey towards contentment,

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

(Philippians 4:11–12)

That kind of contentment isn’t passive—it’s power. It’s what happens when you step off the treadmill of consumption and start living by Creation’s rhythm again. When I left the predictability of the suburbia and began building this life, I didn’t anticipate the feelings of satisfaction that come doing more with less. The more deliberately I act, the richer life become. The daily chores -like feeding the animals, mowing the pastures or working the gardens— that some would call “inconveniences” have created a daily cadence that provides great satisfaction in the doing and in the resulting harvest.

Simple living is more than a budgeting strategy—it’s a mindset and a discipline. When you live closer to the land, you begin to understand that everything in life has its season. Planting and tending gardens teach us patience and reward us with great bounty. Animals teach us respect and responsibility and gratitude when they fulfill their purpose. The quiet solitude of manual labor provides the opportunity to think and pray and plan our next projects.

There’s a wisdom to simplicity that our grandparents knew instinctively. They didn’t call it minimalism; they just called it living within their means. When times were hard, they didn’t panic—they planted, repaired, reused. The world told them to chase more; they chose enough. And the less time you spend chasing what you don’t need, the more you can give your attention to what truly matters—your health, your relationships, your faith. Living simply isn’t about deprivation—it’s about clarity. When you know how to meet your own needs, you stop spending so much time worrying about tomorrow. And when you stop worrying so much your are beginning to harvest peace of mind.

If you’ve felt the strain of an anxious, overcomplicated world and you’re ready to reclaim your peace, I’d love for you to join us at Vine and Fig Tree Workshops. Check out our workshop calendar and begin your journey.

Cultivate skills. Harvest Peace of Mind.