How to Simplify 101

There is a common misconception that to simplify and lead a simple life is, basically, just cutting stuff out . . . living with nothing . . . leaving an emptiness or void. Not true.

The whole purpose of simplifying is to (1) identify what is essential in your life—what you love and what you love to do—and then (2) eliminate the things that distract you and keep you from doing what’s important.

We live in an age of abundance. We have so much stuff in our lives and so much going on, we get overloaded.

You know this is true. How many times have you said, I would love to [fill in blank], but I’m too busy . . . too tired . . . I don’t have the time?

I’m guilty of this myself. “I’m so busy I don’t have time to breath” is something I hear myself saying over and over. Time management would be a good skill for me to adopt; but even then, there aren’t enough hours in the day for me to do everything on my list. The solution? Cut the list. Determine what’s important and eliminate the rest.

Here’s how to start simplifying

• Determine what is essential for your well-being and happiness.
• Change priorities and values.
• Reject, on some level, the busy, materialistic, super-sized culture we are all caught in.
• Start small and tackle an area that will have the biggest impact.

When you eliminate the things that are not necessary—the visual and emotional clutter that complicates your life—you end up surrounded by and doing only the things you love.