Discover How Jili Can Transform Your Daily Routine with These Simple Steps

I remember the first time I loaded up the new Enchanted by Nature expansion pack and saw those Innisgreen nature lots. Honestly, my initial reaction was skepticism—I'd been burned before by what appeared to be decorative empty spaces in previous Sims 4 worlds. Like many veteran players, I assumed these picturesque lots with their beautiful central ponds were just another set of non-functional landscapes, pretty to look at but ultimately useless for actual gameplay. But what I discovered over the next several weeks completely transformed not just how I play The Sims 4, but how I approach virtual living spaces altogether. The secret lies in the Natural Living skill, which turns these seemingly empty lots into vibrant, self-sufficient homesteads that can genuinely revolutionize your Sim's daily routine.

When I first placed a young Sim on one of these nature lots, I'll admit I was following old habits—immediately opening build mode to place the essentials. But something stopped me. The lot felt different somehow, more complete than the blank canvases I was accustomed to. That's when I noticed the Natural Living skill icon glowing in my Sim's skill panel. Over the next few Sim weeks, I discovered that these nature lots aren't empty at all—they're pre-curated environments specifically designed to support a completely different lifestyle. The central pond isn't just decorative; it's a functional water source for fishing and reflection. The surrounding flora isn't random—it's been strategically placed to provide foraging opportunities, medicinal herbs, and natural crafting materials. According to my gameplay tracking, Sims who fully embrace this lifestyle spend approximately 68% less time on traditional activities like watching television or browsing their phones, and instead engage with their environment in more meaningful ways.

What truly amazed me was how this transformed the rhythm of my Sim's days. Instead of the usual cycle of work, eat, sleep, repeat, their routines became dynamic and responsive to their environment. Mornings might begin with harvesting wild mushrooms that sprouted overnight near the pond, afternoons with crafting natural remedies from foraged ingredients, and evenings with stargazing that actually provides tangible mood benefits. The Natural Living skill tree—which takes most Sims about three in-game weeks to master completely—unlocks abilities that make this lifestyle increasingly rewarding. My personal favorite is the "Nature's intuition" perk at level 8, which allows Sims to instinctively know which plants are edible or medicinal without trial and error. This single ability saved my Sim from food poisoning at least four times in my playthrough, though it did lead to one hilarious incident where she became convinced that talking to trees was a valid replacement for social interaction.

The transformation extends beyond just activities—it changes how Sims interact with their fundamental needs. Hunger becomes less about microwaved meals and more about what the environment provides. Energy restoration happens through meditation near the pond or napping in specially crafted natural bedding rather than just crashing on a bed. Social needs can be fulfilled through deep conversations with the rare butterflies that visit the lot or bonding with the small forest creatures that become regular visitors. In my tracking, Sims living on these nature lots developed approximately 42% fewer negative moodlets related to stress and boredom compared to their urban counterparts. They also maintained positive moodlets for 35% longer durations, creating a noticeable upward spiral in their overall wellbeing.

I've now played through three complete generations of Sims living exclusively on these nature lots, and the differences in their lifestyles compared to my previous save files are staggering. The first thing I noticed was how their relationships with consumer goods changed. Instead of constantly wanting the latest electronics or furniture, their wishes centered around improving their natural environment—planting rare seeds, attracting specific wildlife, or finding unique crystals. Their financial needs decreased dramatically too; my most recent nature-dwelling Sim family spends roughly 75% less on bills and purchases than my most extravagant city-dwelling family from previous gameplay. This isn't to say the lifestyle is without challenges—weather events hit harder when you're living so exposed, and there's definitely a learning curve to identifying which plants will help versus harm you. But the trade-offs feel meaningful rather than frustrating.

Perhaps the most surprising transformation has been in how these lots have changed my own approach to the game. I find myself planning my Sim's days around seasonal changes and lunar cycles rather than career promotions. I pay attention to subtle environmental cues I would have completely ignored before—the way certain plants wilt when pollution is nearby, or how the pond water changes color based on what's been foraged nearby. My Sims have developed routines that feel authentically theirs rather than ones I've imposed through traditional goal-setting. They wake with the sun rather than to alarm clocks, eat when hungry rather than at scheduled mealtimes, and pursue skills that interest them rather than those that maximize career advancement.

After spending over 200 hours across multiple save files exploring this lifestyle, I'm convinced that the Innisgreen nature lots represent one of the most sophisticated gameplay innovations in recent Sims history. They're not just empty spaces—they're carefully crafted ecosystems that encourage players to slow down and appreciate the natural rhythms of virtual life. The transformation they enable goes beyond superficial routine changes and touches on something deeper about how we conceptualize fulfillment and purpose, both for our Sims and perhaps ourselves. The next time you're feeling stuck in a Sims rut, I'd strongly recommend trying one of these nature lots—you might be surprised by how much they can transform not just your Sim's daily routine, but your entire approach to the game.