My Simple, More Basic Way of Living as a Working Mom
Simple living as a working mom wasn’t a choice I made overnight. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve naturally become a lot more basic and, in some ways, a bit more frugal.
I don’t know if that’s age, life, or just the reality of being a working mom, but I know I’m not the only one. I don’t have a large circle, so I’ll speak from my own experience. That’s one of the reasons I started this blog: to connect with other women who might be living in a similar way.
I see so much online about how women my age should be living; taking all these steps to stay healthy, stay younger, doing everything for their bodies, their skin, their homes. It all looks important, but also overwhelming.
If I’m honest, it can make me feel like I should be doing more.
But the reality is, it’s too much for me. I already have a full life. I don’t have the time, energy, or space to build my day around routines that don’t naturally fit into it.
So I’ve decided to keep things simple.
Not because I don’t care, but because I do. I care about having a life that actually works.
That means I’m not exercising three times a week. I’m not making elaborate meals or following strict routines. I’m not buying into every “must-have” product or trying to create a lifestyle that looks good online.
I’m a single, full-time working mom with one income and limited support. I have to be intentional with how I use my time and how I spend my money.
And that affects everything.
Money
Simple living as a working mom means every decision has to be thought through. I don’t spend freely or act on impulse; there’s school, groceries, monthly expenses, and keeping us okay. On one income, nothing gets a pass.
We haven’t been on a proper holiday in over a year. And while I’d love to, it’s not always realistic on a single income. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I don’t let that make me feel like I’m missing out.
When we do go away, it’s usually planned carefully; off-season, within budget, and in a way that doesn’t leave me stressed afterwards. Because for me, there’s no point in creating a break that adds pressure later.
If you’re curious about how simplifying your life can actually help your finances, this is a really interesting read.
Clothes
That mindset shows up in how we shop for clothes, too.
I’m not shopping all the time. For the kids, I usually do two bigger shops a year, one for winter and one for summer, and then just pick up what’s needed in between.
For myself, I shop even less. If I do spend a bit more, it’s usually on something I know will last and can be worn across seasons, like a good pair of jeans, a coat, or shoes. I’d rather buy less and wear it properly than keep replacing things all the time.
Home
My home is not picture perfect, and I don’t try to keep up with trends. Some things don’t match perfectly, and not everything is new. But it’s clean, it’s comfortable, and it works for us.
I don’t feel the need to replace things just because they’re not trending. If something looks good to me, even if it’s second-hand or a bit different, that’s enough.
Life
Most of our time is simple. We’re at home. The kids are older now, so things look different. We might go out occasionally; dinner, a walk, something simple, but it’s not constant.
I don’t feel the need to create a “perfect childhood” filled with expensive experiences. I’d rather be consistent in a way that fits our life. What matters more is stability. A home that functions. A routine that works – if you want to see what mine actually looks like, I’ve shared my real daily routine here. Knowing where things are. Knowing what needs to be done. Having space to rest when I need it. That’s what actually makes my life easier. Which is exactly why my weekly reset has become non-negotiable
Simple Living as a Working Mom — What I Do Differently Now
Over time, I’ve stopped trying to live up to what I think life should look like. What I do differently now is spend intentionally rather than on impulse, really thinking about what I need first and what actually matters. This is what simple living as a working mom actually looks like in practice for me. Over time, I’ve stopped trying to live up to what I think life should look like. I keep my home functional rather than perfect, making sure it’s comfortable and that everyone has their space. I buy less but choose things that last, because quality matters more to me now than quantity ever did. I don’t build routines I can’t maintain.
My days are full, and a simple, no-stress routine that doesn’t set me up for failure is worth more than an elaborate one that looks good on paper. And I focus on what makes my week easier, not on what looks impressive to anyone else. I’ve also shared the five things that actually save me time every week, if you want to see what that looks like in practice.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to this: keeping my life within what I can actually manage. Spending my time and my money where it genuinely matters. And not building a life that looks good to everyone else, but building one that actually works for my family and me.
It’s okay not to have a picture-perfect lifestyle. We are not all the same, and that’s okay. We don’t all have the same finances, the same resources, or the same support. And we need to stop measuring our lives against people who are living completely different ones.
Our kids live a very small portion of their lives with us. And just because we can’t take them on expensive holidays or buy them the best of everything doesn’t mean we’re doing anything wrong. What matters is that they’re happy. That the house is filled with love, kindness, and respect. That they’re taught to appreciate what they have and the people around them. That their needs are met and their wants are humble.
That’s not a basic life. That’s a good one.