To Live A Simple Life
Life is inherently simple, we choose to make it complicated.
Let’s start with a question. How much happier would you be if you made your life simpler? Eliminated unnecessary decisions, canceled plans for events you don't want to attend, avoid people who you don’t enjoy, and spent less time on pointless things. Do you think that would have a tangible positive impact on your well-being?
People have this amazing ability to add complexity to their life. A calm pool can be instantly transformed into a hectic mess with waves tossing you around like a rag doll. You create the waves that are drowning you.
But, not everyone wants a simple life. Some people have this preconceived notion that a simple life is not great. But, that is not the case. The simple things in life are the things that matter. Complex things typically cause more stress than they are worth.
Now, I am not trying to convince you to go move to the middle of Iowa and sit quietly in a 2 bedroom 2 bath farmhouse. What I am saying is to peel back the layers of the onion that serve no purpose. Do what you can to look at your life objectively and identify the unnecessary areas that cause the most stress and work to eliminate them.
By simplifying your life you can focus more of your time on the things that matter to you most. Whether that is walking your dog, spending time with your family, reading, or any other thing that you would like to do. Creating more time for the things that matter will invariably improve your life.
Here is a quick list of things that I have done that have made my life more simple.
Limit the amount of “stuff” you own. Most of the items in your house are pointless. You don't wear most of your clothes. Donate or sell the things you do not need.
Create automatic routines around eating, household chores, and exercise. Meal prep as much as you can. Bulk batch all cleaning. Exercise regularly at the same time.
Get groceries delivered. Safeway’s grocery delivery is amazing. Saves around 1 hour per week.
Spend more time at home.
Spend more time thinking. Some things in life are simple but appear complex because we don't spend time actually thinking.
For more on this topic read Henry David Thoreau’s book “Walden” and Greg McKeown’s book “Essentialism”