sim·plic·i·ty (noun)
1. the state, quality, or an instance of being simple.
2. freedom from complexity or intricacy.
3. absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness.
4. freedom from deceit or guile; sincerity; artlessness.
As you find yourself putting away those new Christmas acquisitions, consider what you already have. If you're reading this blog, then you likely have more than you need. Start the new year on a new, simpler trajectory with the One In, Two Out Rule. Whenever you bring a new item in, you have to get rid of two others - preferably by gifting or donation, not in the landfill. Make one of your new year's resolutions that of simplicity.
Simplicity isn't about martyrdom, or being boring. Simplicity is all about finding the greatest value in our lives and then staying right there in that sweet spot. When we hit that sweet spot we need to really believe that any more would be excess and may even reduce the value in our lives. This creates more space and awareness for what really matters in our lives - shelter, food, friends. The second we lose sight of our basic needs is the second we lose the ability to embrace simplicity and enjoy our satisfaction with just enough.
Minimalism as a lifestyle looks different for everyone, but we can all experiment with minimalism similarly. Boundaries and challenges allow us to test the waters and find the sweet spot. That sweet spot will change depending on who you are, where you live, who lives with you and what is most important to you.
Here are some tips to help you simplify:
1. Ask yourself, could you be just as happy without this thing? You have to determine if this thing in your life is adding to your happiness/satisfaction. If it isn’t, get rid of it right now!
2. Determine the actual part of this thing that positively affects you. This will need to be revaluated every so often as the flow from a want to a need can be a slippery slope.
So, let's talk a bit more about the difference between a want and a need. The difference is pretty simple, in theory.
Need - something you have to have
Want - something you would like to have
Everything that goes beyond this – a big house, name-brand clothes, fancy foods, a new car – is a want. But, we are marketed to constantly with the message that these things are really needs. Take control of your mind and stop (literally) buying into corporate brainwashing.
Simplicity is not a destination, simplicity is about choice. Making your own choices based on what is truly satisfying, and not simply believing what you're told. Savor Simplicity by choosing to:
1. the state, quality, or an instance of being simple.
2. freedom from complexity or intricacy.
3. absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness.
4. freedom from deceit or guile; sincerity; artlessness.
As you find yourself putting away those new Christmas acquisitions, consider what you already have. If you're reading this blog, then you likely have more than you need. Start the new year on a new, simpler trajectory with the One In, Two Out Rule. Whenever you bring a new item in, you have to get rid of two others - preferably by gifting or donation, not in the landfill. Make one of your new year's resolutions that of simplicity.
Simplicity isn't about martyrdom, or being boring. Simplicity is all about finding the greatest value in our lives and then staying right there in that sweet spot. When we hit that sweet spot we need to really believe that any more would be excess and may even reduce the value in our lives. This creates more space and awareness for what really matters in our lives - shelter, food, friends. The second we lose sight of our basic needs is the second we lose the ability to embrace simplicity and enjoy our satisfaction with just enough.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo da Vinci
Minimalism as a lifestyle looks different for everyone, but we can all experiment with minimalism similarly. Boundaries and challenges allow us to test the waters and find the sweet spot. That sweet spot will change depending on who you are, where you live, who lives with you and what is most important to you.
Here are some tips to help you simplify:
1. Ask yourself, could you be just as happy without this thing? You have to determine if this thing in your life is adding to your happiness/satisfaction. If it isn’t, get rid of it right now!
2. Determine the actual part of this thing that positively affects you. This will need to be revaluated every so often as the flow from a want to a need can be a slippery slope.
So, let's talk a bit more about the difference between a want and a need. The difference is pretty simple, in theory.
Need - something you have to have
Want - something you would like to have
Everything that goes beyond this – a big house, name-brand clothes, fancy foods, a new car – is a want. But, we are marketed to constantly with the message that these things are really needs. Take control of your mind and stop (literally) buying into corporate brainwashing.
Simplicity is not a destination, simplicity is about choice. Making your own choices based on what is truly satisfying, and not simply believing what you're told. Savor Simplicity by choosing to:
- Consume less, and don't think of items as disposable. Remember that just because something goes in the trash doesn't mean it ever really goes away.
- Don't spend more than you earn. Debt is the antithesis of living a life of simplicity.
- Wake up 10 minutes early and spend the beginning of your day stretching, or being quiet instead of rushing to get out the door.
- Take a digital sabbatical instead of being overwhelmed with information.
- Take charge of your worry instead of letting anxiety take over your day.
- Be unproductive instead of killing yourself to get it all done.
- Eat food that makes your body feel good instead of feeding your feelings with food that wears you down.
- Celebrate your progress instead of beating yourself up for what you haven’t achieved.
- Be grateful for who you are now, instead of guilty for who you were then.
- Measure yourself by the person you are, not the things that you get done.
- Meet up with friends instead of feeling lonely.
- Choose solitude instead of trying to navigate through the noise.
- Go outside and appreciate nature instead of cleaning your house.
- Support good people doing great things instead of complaining about bad people doing bad things.
- Dress with less, buy second-hand, or learn how to sew instead of buying lots of cheap fast-fashion.
- Give more and take less.
“It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away
at the inessentials.” - Bruce Lee
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