Interview With Sara From On Simplicity

This is an interview with Sara from On Simplicity. She is, in my opinion, one of the best simplicity bloggers on the scene today. I highly encourage you all to check out her blog after reading the interview. Her writing is inspiring, honest, insightful and entertaining. Enjoy!

For starters, tell us a little bit about yourself. What is the life of Sara like?

I try to keep it simple, focusing on hobbies I enjoy and people I care about. I have a full-time job that puts me out in the community, but outside of that, I love to be home with my husband and dog. I really do take pleasure in simple things, so that means that my life is pretty quiet. To be honest, blogging is what has made my life complicated and crazy, but I wouldn’t give it up.

When did you create On Simplicity?

I created On Simplicity in April of 2008. I was ready for a new hobby, something I could throw myself into with a passion, and took the leap. I started with a free wordpress.com blog, but within a month, I knew I was
hooked and moved over a hosted domain.

Why did you choose the topic of simplicity? What inspired you?

I think simplicity choose me. I tried writing about other topics, but nothing ever “took.” It never felt authentic. Over the last two years, I’d become more and more convinced that having less stuff was a key part of my own happiness. As soon as I tried using just one pencil at work, I loved it. I couldn’t *not* write about it, and that one idea is what fueled the creation of the entire blog.

Were you a writer before starting On Simplicity?

Yes and no. I’m not a professional writer, but I’ve spent a few years in the web publishing and editing fields. Writing is something that’s always been a pleasure for me, so I relished every chance I got in my editing job to tackle a writing project. And I totally won first prize in the fifth grade fiction contest back in the day, so there is that…

What are some of your simple pleasures in life?

Food. I *love* food. I can spend an entire hour eating a chocolate bar, savoring every bite. Watching things bloom. Feeling sunshine on my skin. And I love music. Just laying on the floor, listening to an entire album, and letting my dog intermittently lick my face is pure bliss.

What is your definition of a simple life?

A simple life is one in which you can consciously choose what you’re surrounded by and how you spend your time. It’s about letting go of what others expect and tuning into what speaks to you. I don’t think it has to be about what you wear, where you live, or what you drive. At the core, a simple life is about doing what works for you, not about where you fall on any spectrum.

Do you consider your life to be simple?

That’s the million dollar question! Blogging really has made my life more complex, but it’s also caused me to value my time and space more than ever before. I would say that my life is simple in terms of the space I occupy, the hobbies I pursue, and the relationships I value, but my dreams and goals are far from simple.

Do you think humanity is moving in the direction of simplicity or complexity?

I would definitely say that things are becoming more complex. There are simply more sources of input and more ways to create output. I think the amount of choices available to us is what drives most of the complexity. In that light, it’s not a bad trend, but I do think people can live more satisfying lives by figuring out what choices work best for them and then letting the rest go. And who knows? It might all come full circle as a lot of new technologies become better integrated.

How do the readers of your blog help you and inspire your writing/life?

Through the “Three Things” series, I’ve learned to value a lot of things that I would otherwise take for granted. When someone lists a priority that I hadn’t even considered, it’s humbling. Plus, my readers just have awesome ideas. I’ll write a tutorial or guide piece, and then find way better ideas and insights right there in the comments. Again, humbling but wonderfully appreciated. Most of all, knowing that other people value simplicity is what keeps me writing and pursuing fresh ideas.

What other blogs/websites about simple living do you recommend? (Besides Simple Sapien of course, heh!)

I *do* recommend Simple Sapien. Your laser focus is such a treat! I veer toward personal finance blogs like Get Rich Slowly and The Simple Dollar since I feel it’s hard to live a truly simple life if you aren’t in control of your finances. Zen Habits and Think Simple Now are great for getting inspiration, and I love the honesty and realness of Remodeling This Life.

If you could only give one tip to readers about simplifying their lives, what would it be?

Oooh, hard question! Keep only what truly matters to you; the rest is just stuff.

Thank you, Sara, for agreeing to do this and providing inspiration to simplicity addicts (like me) around the world!

Other Posts From Simple Sapien:

• What Is The Definition Of “Simple”?
• Simple Serving: Link Love #2
• Video Post: What Do You Wish For On Your Birthday?
• 80 Ways To Simplify Your Life
• 20 Essential Internet Resources That Will Simplify Your Life