Things We Can Learn From The Amish (2024)

If you’re tired of a stress-filled, expensive lifestyle, you’re not alone. Most of us feel that way at one time or another. This is where the Amish can help us out. These 13 things we can learn from the Amish will have you living a simpler, more frugal lifestyle that you can be happy with.

Growing up in Southern Ohio, it was not an uncommon sight to see an Amish buggy driving down the road or for us to take a Saturday afternoon drive to Amish Country. My Mom loved to take in their stunning workmanship for furniture and let’s be honest; they are amazing cooks and bakers.

Growing up in my family, we have passed a few of those same recipes down to our children. They’re tried and true Amish recipes that someone learned from an Amish friend and continued to pass it down from generation to generation.

They’re delicious and comforting and I am so glad I was able to learn them.

But those recipes aren’t the only thing that we can learn from the Amish. In fact, the things we can learn from the Amish can help us in most aspects of our lives.

What Can the Amish Teach Us?

Live a Very Simple Life

The one thing that the Amish have over most of the rest of us is the simplicity of their lives. They aren’t overcomplicating things by taking on more than they should. Instead, they live their life tending to their needs without adding all the extras.

We can learn from this by simplifying our own lives and that doesn’t necessarily need to be a big convoluted thing. Even something as easy as decluttering a closet can be helpful.

Use Less of Everything

Our society is one that gluttons everthing from food to clothing and gadgets. But we can learn from the Amish that the simplicity they have in thier lives is partially because they have less.

Now don’t confuse having less with not having what they need. Their society makes sure their needs are met but they aren’t overburdened with everything else. This mindset can not only help us live a clutter-free and happy life but in the long run will actually save you money too.

Waste Less and Reuse More

This isn’t necessarily a lesson that can only be learned from the Amish, but it’s one that they are very good at. Frugal people in general are good at it.

Reduce the waste in your home and you’ll not only save money, but you will actually live that simpler life we have been talking about.

If you’re unsure how to reduce waste, I have a post HERE on 51 things my own family did to reduce waste. The ideas in it are a great place to get started.

Go Without What You Don’t Need

The one thing that the Amish are “famous” for is one lesson we can all learn. We’re all aware that the Amish live without power and modern plumbing. For them, it’s a religious belief, but it also teaches us that we really don’t need the things we think we do.

Now no one is telling you to ditch the power bill or the water bill unless that’s what you believe is best, but I am telling you to reevaluate what you think is a need and a true necessity.

You may just suprise yourself with what you decide is not.

Be Frugal in Every Area of Your Life

No one can say that the Amish aren’t frugal. Being otherwise goes against their very nature of not being wasteful. This is another lesson the Amish can teach us.

Most of us are frugal in one or two areas of our lives, but for the Amish, frugality is built into their lifestyle. They are frugal in every area of their lives.

If you’ve been struggling with saving money or if you’re living paycheck to paycheck and can’t get out of that cycle, take a lesson from the Amish. Tighten down your finances and work at being frugal in every aspect of your life.

Don’t Be Afraid of a Little Hard Work

If there’s one thing you’ll never be able to say about an Amish person it’s that they’re lazy. From the kids on up they are anything but. Hard work is at the very core of the Amish lifestyle.

These days it seems like people don’t really make the connection that if we want to get anywhere in life, we have to work for it. It’s just a fact of life.

And that doesn’t mean that you should just work hard hours at your job. It means in every area of your life. Work hard at saving money, work hard at bettering your kids, or at being healthier. Plainly put; work harder. There is always an area in your life that you can improve on.

Work With Others

Another lesson we can learn from the Amish is that community matters. Ever heard of a barn raising? Amish men and boys will get together and in a single day will build a barn for a community member.

That’s team work ya’ll.

For those of us on the outside of the Amish community, this can teach us to work well with others. Whether it’s learning how to barter with someone or simply helping a neighbor when they need it, being a part of a community can only make your life better.

Get Outside More

Life was not meant to be lived in doors and the Amish know this. Instead of staying insde playing on video games or watching tv, they spend what time they can outdoors.

In addition to chores, they play and socialize with their community. This not only leads to a happier family but a healthier one as well.

Grow More

Another lesson from the Amish that is a staple to both their lifestyle and to a frugal lifestyle is to grow more. Since the Amish don’t have much to do with outside communities, they rely on their own gardens and livestock to feed their families.

This is also another step toward living a more simple lifestyle.

If you’re wanting to grow more food for yourself but aren’t sure how to do so, THIS post can help you get a garden started on a budget.

Recognize Technology for What It Is

Technology is great ya’ll. After all, you are reading this post from either a computer or a phone. Maybe you’re sitting on your couch or maybe you’re in a car while someone else drives down the road.

But technology can also be a distracting and destructive force and the Amish know this.

Instead of allowing it to become that for your family, minimize how often your kids – and even you – use those devices.

To make tracking it easier on yourself, using a screen time tracker like THIS can be a huge help. In addition to hat, having everyone put their devices on a large charging station such as THIS one can help you keep track of who has and hasn’t turned in their device for the evening.

Leave the Joneses Alone

Because the Amish are such a community based society, there is no competetion between neighbors. What this means for you is that you should leave the Joneses to themselves and stop comparing yourself to them.

To put this simply, your life, your finances and your home are yours. Don’t compare them to what other people have or appear to have. Doing so will only cause you to live above your means and eventually, to fail financially.

Be Who You Are

This sort of goes along wth leaving the Joneses to themselves, but the Amish aren’t worried about what outsiders think of them. They’re doing their thing and that’s all that matters to them.

This attitude is drama free and contributes to their simply life.

In our case, learning this lesson will help us to be more peaceful and mindful about our lives. It can also save you a significant amount of money. If you’re not concerned with what others think, you’re not going to be buying things you do not need in order to impress others.

Listen to Your Elders

The final lesson we can learn from the Amish is not only to respect our elders, but also to listen to them. I have spoken about this before when I wrote THIS post, but it goes deeper than just listening to them about spending.

Your elders – meaning your parents, grandparents and great grandparents – can teach you everything from how they survived the Great Depression to their favorite Great Depression recipes and more.

This knowledge won’t be around forever. Don’t let it die with them.