When I say “simpler life,” one might automatically think of minimalism, which aims at reducing possessions. While that is often a step in the pursuit of a simpler life, what I'm pointing out here, is creating a more meaningful way of living that focuses less on consuming and more on creating; less on senseless distractions and more on purposeful activities and ventures. In other words, a life lived on our own terms, that's filled with substance, spirit and personal value; a life that moves a bit slower, so there's time for reflection, passions and deeper connections, and guess what? We don't have to move away to the middle of the countryside to achieve this. It's a mind-set, not geography.
Here are 5 steps, and the many advantages, to living a simpler life:
- Decluttering and Reorganizing: Undoubtedly, the very first step to living a simpler life, is getting rid of the accumulated clutter within our homes. At first, the thought of this can seem overwhelming, but once we get going, it feels so dang liberating we won't want to stop till we've cleared every nook and cranny of the things we no longer use, need or love. Sure, we can donate these items, but why not make some money on the nicer stuff by having a garage sale, listing auctions online or selling them to local resale shops? Once our homes are decluttered and reorganized (and we've got a nice chunk a change for our efforts), anytime we bring something new into the home, simply let something else go. This way we will never find ourselves in this predicament again. Lightening our load may even inspire us to get a smaller place, which means less time cleaning, more money in our pockets and more time doing the things we really want to do.
- Boosting Financal Freedom: Simple living means less frivolous spending. The less we spend, the less we owe, and the more we save. Restructuring our lives so that our financial output each month is less than our input, allows us the opportunity to do the type of work we truly enjoy, rather than laboring simply to survive. Financial security alleviates stress and worrisome, sleepless nights. Getting into the habit of asking ourselves, “Do I really need this?” before making a purchase, helps quash impulse-buying and strengthens responsibility. Perhaps that involves making a cup of coffee or meals at home, rather than running to the coffee shop, or choosing takeout. There are many ways to minimize our spending if we so choose. Living within our means actually feels quite empowering, because more than anything, we feel in greater control of our lives.
- Reducing Unconscious Distractions: By spending less time on social media, binge watching tv, going on shopping sprees or any other pastime diversionary habits we may have, rather than perpetual consumption, we increase our appreciation for what we already have and free up time for the endeavors that truly matter to us. In fact, shifting our focus away from trivial activities is one of the quickest ways to add more ease, joy and serenity into our everyday lives.
- Improving Health: Getting outside more, taking walks in the sunshine, growing a garden, daily meditation, conscious eating, getting plenty of rest and exercise are all things we can do to create a more healthy lifestyle. Prioritizing these simple types of activities over the ones mentioned above just makes us feel better, both physically and mentally. When we feel good, our entire outlook changes for the better.
- Deepening Relationships: When our lives are hectic, or we are dissatisfied in our current situation, oftentimes our relationships take the brunt of the pressure. Living simply relieves a lot of these stresses and affords us the space to nurture and deepen our relationships with those we care about most.
Turns out, less truly is more! Living more simply, increases the overall quality of our lives. I will end with this great quote by Hans Hofmann:
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary, so that the necessary may speak.”
Absolutely!