If there is one thing I want to do this new year, it is to simplify my life. After the high-voltage-roller-coaster-ride of the holiday season, I feel like I want to escape to a cabin in the woods where only my "In Case of Emergency" contact can find me.
However, sometimes even the act of simplifying can become overwhelming. Case in point: I just read an article entitled, "73 Ways to Simplify Your Life!" Wow. There has to be an easier way, right?
In the spirit of keeping it short and sweet, here are five quick suggestions for simplifying your life:
1. When deciding whether or not to do something (or buy something) if the answer is not "Absofrickinglutely!" then let the answer be a definitive, "No." I read this in a book recently, and it has been life-changing. Do you want to volunteer for the school annual fund this year? Well, I guess I should, but....STOP! The answer is no. Do you want to help the first grade bake cookies for Valentine's Day? Absofrickinlutely! You get the idea?
2. Purge, Purge, Purge. I think there are at least one zillion sayings that roughly translate to the less you own, the less that owns you. Grab a bag and purge. A bag a day for 30 days? Sure. And when you are tempted to buy something new, see #1 (Do you absofrickinlutely have to have it?)
3. Set limits to your availability and access to technology. My personal rule is that I log off at 7:30pm every night. No texts, no emails, no internet after that point. That way, I can relax without interruption and spend time with my family. Set limits to checking your email, too. A couple times a day (or a few more depending on your needs.) Otherwise, you can seriously spend your entire day checking your email and sending texts. I also recommend a technology fast every once in awhile. (Talk about feeling healthy and refreshed!)
4. Outsource, delegate, repeat. No one can do it all. (Unless of course, you can, in which case, can you call me so that I can delegate some tasks to you?) Hire a neighbor's cash-thirsty teenager to help with some household chores. Try to find room in your budget to outsource the most time-consuming things on your list.
5. Set your sights on new experiences, not new things. Experiences, more than material things, are what make humans the happiest. Perhaps rather than creating a wish list that includes new "things" (which will require packaging, un-packaging, using, storing, cleaning, upkeep, etc.) think about setting your heart's desire on new experiences. A backpacking trip. A new yoga class. A massage. A night with the TV turned off, cell phones on mute, laptops closed, playing backgammon with loved ones. Simply sublime.
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Comments (21)
About that "purge" thing. I think if you are too stringent with yourself over the "absofrickenlutely" business, you are going to deprive yourself of some of the little luxuries that make life pleasant. I don't "abso" NEED a lot of what I own: books I could borrow but already own and WANT to have to refer to again; extra clothes beyond the minimal number I could get by with; bargain craft supplies that I don't need TODAY for a project... I think it is important to be realistic about not keeping a lot of things that, upon reflection, you can happily do without, but a balance should be struck between stark minimalism and hoarding!
I do agree with the concept that if you are waffling the answer is really "no", though, and you may need to be tough with yourself if you have a tendency to get suckered into doing a lot of stuff you don't want to do. Been there...
I gain a lot of time since I decide to check my emails one or twice a day. I figured that people would DM me if it was urgent.
These are some GREAT tips. So simple and even obvious for some of them, but so hard to really put into practice!
I love this. I can't hear enough times the importance of surrounding myself with, and engaging in, the things that make me really happy, and letting go of the rest. Nice job with this very simple list.
I agree whole-heartedly with all point, my favorite is #5. I've applied this to Christmas presents, gifting theater tickets, dining experiences at a restuarant I know they haven't been to, an online microbusiness donation where the recipient got to chose the business to aid...things like that.
I like to play a game a friend introduced me to - I love it "this much". Its a variation on absofrikenlutey.
When buying ANYTHING - (works esp well with clothes) - before you look at the price say outloud "I love it "this much" and put a price in there. A pair of "I love it "10 bucks" shorts that turn out to be 25 bucks. Put them back. A pair of "I love it 80 bucks! I look amazing!" jeans that are 40 bucks... buy two pair and don't buy jeans again for a year or two :)
Love the "how much" question for volunteering too... "I love helping design curriculum for free for a young colleague just starting out for the price of treating me to Starbucks when my kid is in preschool but not enough to hire a babysitter and meet you at your classroom 45 mins away..."
asibtroy --- that's exactly what I do but I didn't have a name for it!
but if i love it $10 and it turns out to be $12, but I still love it... get it!
I've even said to shop girls... when the price tag on something alarms me, "I don't love it THAT much. I love it $50 but I don't love it $300!!"
Can you tell us the name of the book that you mentioned in point 1?
@asibtroy - your "i love it this much" game is awesome. i am definitely going to start using that! thanks for sharing.
What book is it you're reading? I love this entry. Good for you, and good for us!
I think the first one needs some exceptions for socially awkward/lazy people. Do I really want to go to a party hosted by my boyfriend's friend? Not really, I want to stay home and watch Law and Order re-runs. If I go by the rule above, I won't go, have a good time, laugh a lot, meet some cool people and strengthen my relationship. Sometimes it's good to do things you don't absolutely want to do.
@Bapplebeet Thank you! The book I read was called "Anything You Want" by Derek Sivers. It's aimed at entrepreneurs trying to earn a living by following their passion, but it applies to daily life too. Great book. Short! Read it in one hour.
I agree, @kjmwrites - the first point can't apply to everything. Some things just have to get done and being a grown-up means powering through and finding some kind of joy in it, even if you didn't "absofrickenlutely"
want to do it in the first place.
However, I DO think it applies to purchases of non-necessities. Why do we keep buying things we don't love?
Great post, thanks.
I love the quote "the less that you own, the less that owns you." I had never heard that before. I plan on printing out the decision tree at the top and posting it in my cube! Thank you!
This article really spoke to me. I am ready for a change... Thank you!
I agree with KristinaKS - It isn't just about us. We are part of a larger community and sometimes we have to suck it up and give back a little. It's ultimately in our own best interest, anyway. #1 sounds a bit selfish.
I started playing "absofrickinlutely" a few years ago, but I call it "Do I love this XX dollars worth?"
I also LOVE the volunteering statement. Right now, I'm weighing an invitation to join a board, but while I care for the cause and while it's important, I don't know if I have the real time for it (since it'll take away a little precious downtime). But I was honest with the person inviting me, and she's ended up inviting me to consider volunteering for a smaller-time-commitment committee first, and there IS a committee that I'd love to join.
Sometimes saying NO to the volunteer hours opens the door to something you really DO want to do. It's OK to say NO to the PTO!
Part of my job involves managing volunteers, and I find if I have too many people on the committee or the board, they feel overwhelmed and are less likely to volunteer for other things. I'd rather NOT have the mom be on PTO, but to know that I can call on her for cookie baking for special projects. This is how I have found two of my BEST cooks for large projects. They serve on no other committees, but I know I can always call them for cooking projects and they always have the energy to knock the ball out of the park.
Thanks for Absofrickinglutely!. This is a good guideline for people like me who are too apt to automatically say yes to whatever someone asks and then are too often overwhelmed by other's needs and desires and left without enough time for ourselves.
I agree simplifying is a good thing. What I'd like to know is what's so important that folks can't take their eyes off thei i-phones while walking or driving!
I love #5!!!