Simple, vintage inspired living

I desire to live a life that is intentional, calm, simple, and creative. I try to imagine the way a lovely, elegant vintage lady would have lived, taking pride in her daily routines and enjoying the simple pleasures of life before modern technology and conveniences made their inevitable appearance. I'm not sure if it's because I'm rather introverted and sensitive to my environment, but I have a tendency to go through periods of overwhelm if life feels too hectic and too busy. Multitasking and having too much going on around me at once feels unsettling. Instead, I feel best moving at my own gentle pace, making time to do things the old fashioned way, intentionally instead of rushing. Below are some of my favorite ways to achieve a simple, "vintage" way of life:

1. Listen to records. There is something so romantic about old vinyl records. I love the ritual of removing the record from its paper sleeve, lowering the needle, and hearing the fuzz before the warmth of the music fills the rooms of my home.  

2. Use an analog clock. Years ago I decided to banish my mobile phone from my bedside table, instead preferring to leave it charging overnight downstairs. Not having a phone next to me prevents the habit of early morning scrolling from setting in. Instead, I wake up and enjoy the first few moments of the peaceful, precious morning still tucked up in bed. 

3. Brew beverages on the stovetop. As a devoted tea drinker, my electric kettle is irreplaceable and I use it daily for brewing my favorite tea varietals, usually a cup of green in the afternoon and a light, delicate white tea before bed. But for my first cup - a strong brew that requires boiling water, I love using my stovetop kettle, and hearing that quintessential whistle that signals the beginning of the day.

4. Planned viewing. Streaming services make it so easy to consume episode after episode of your favorite tv program, and before you know it, hours of your day have disappeared. My husband and I choose a tv program and watch one or two episodes a night, usually about an hour total. We both get our tv fix, but also have time to continue with our evening routine and prioritize more relaxing hobbies, like reading one of my old beloved novels.

5. Create something with your hands. Creativity is so important to me and I try to do something with my hands daily. Making space in my day to have uninterrupted time to create, even if that's just twenty minutes, keeps me in touch with my desire for a simple life. Writing in my journal, sewing, knitting, and cooking are my favorite ways to create. I enjoy have multiple projects on the go that I can dip in and out of as the mood strikes. 

6. Live by candlelight. I can find any excuse to burn candles. It's a simple and inexpensive way to set a serene, romantic mood in your home. As a little girl, I loved the October rainstorms that knocked out our power - there was something so exciting about having to light up the house with candles, and reading by candlelight was an exciting novelty. After dinner, I switch off the overhead lights and instead bask in the warm glow of accent lamps and twinkling votives. 

7. Embrace a low-appliance lifestyle. I love having the option of using my dishwasher or clothes dryer when I'm low on time. But more often than not, to feel that I'm living my dream vintage life (and to help keep the bills low), I prefer to wash the dishes, hang laundry on the line, and water my plants and garden by hand. It keeps me in touch with the day to day rhythms of life and helps me appreciate all the lovely little domestic moments in my home.

8. Thrift instead of purchasing new. I think I inherited my father's love of thrifting and my mother's fondness for antiques and old treasures. We shopped at thrift stores for our clothing, furniture, books, and endless other gadgets. Purchasing a thrifted item means you are rejecting mass consumerism, you're often finding a well made item for a fraction of the price, and you're surrounding yourself with beauty and history - what's better than that?

These are just a few ways I try to incorporate vintage life (or at least, my romanticized ideas of vintage life... hehe) in the modern world. I desire this way of living because it helps me feel calm, grounded, and focuses my perspective on what's truly important. So much of our world demands things to be faster, bigger, newer... and for us old souls, we can often find solace in these slower, older ways of life. 

 x Miss 1949