Many people long for a simple life away from all the chaos that seems self-inflicted. The first step to embracing this new form of lifestyle is to understand what simplicity means to you and then live by that definition. Here are eight suggestions on how to live a simplistic lifestyle.
1. Limit your information intake
Your world is awash with information. The traditional forms of media are ever-increasing in number, and each of them has content that fills 24 hours of every day. The internet is another information whale. Your contacts will also have a lot to share with you at any particular time. Today, its easy to bury yourself with information. You can follow thousands of people on their social profiles. You can also follow thousands of websites, blogs, and even companies. For many people, the need to keep up with all this incoming information is unbearable. A simplistic life for you needs no information overload. You have to accept the fact that you can never exhaust all of the information that is available in the world today. Just dedicate some time, and when that elapses, stop consuming until the next day.
2. Savor each moment
You should think more in a less-hurried way. Drink or eat slowly so that you actually feel the taste of the food in your mouth. If you are doing a task such as driving or reading, then try not to rush to finish the task and jump to another one. You have to stay in the moment for some time before you are able to make it memorable. Do not ruin the experience by rushing through it. The good news with savoring experiences is that the people who follow the simple suggestion become relaxed and happy, even if they change nothing else in their lives. Savoring each moment brings a feeling of contentment in you.
3. Create a list, but only work at one item at a time
Without a plan that leads you to simplicity, you will not be able to live the simplistic life. Come up with a list of all the things that you need to do to have the life you want. Lists rarely make people change their behaviors, and that is why for this particular list, you will only have to deal with one item at a time, then cross it off the list. Do not create timelines or goals other than the resolve to finish doing the item on the list. Come up with another list when you are done with the present one.
4. Spend more time with the people who matter in your life
The Pareto principle states that eighty percent of our successes and results come from twenty percent of the things you do and the people you deal with on a daily basis. Let this 80/20 rule work to your advantage. Identify the people who matter in your life, such as your family and close friends, and then spend most of your time with them at all costs. Soon, you will discover that you are peaceful and feel no obligation to do unnecessary things just to impress strangers.
5. Make big cuts
When you are transitioning from a chaotic life to a simplistic life, it will be hard for you to notice any change. Absence of change evidence can cause you to slump back into your chaotic life. The best way to get past this resistance problem is by undertaking big transition steps. Make a big cut. For example, you can get rid of your car and that will take care of parking expenses, cleaning expenses, insurance, and a host of other duties related to owning a car. You will feel like someone just took away a burden from your life. This experience will give you the strength to keep adopting a simplistic life.
6. Learn to stay idle and alone
You will only be contented with your life if you can be comfortable in your own company. Materials and people do not necessarily make you a better or worse person; it is your attitude and view of life that makes you good or bad. Take time off and just do nothing. Stay off of your phone, do not listen to anything, and do nothing. This time off can last for at least five minutes to as much as a day, but do not use it an excuse to avoid doing your duties. Take time off regularly and you will understand yourself better. In addition, you will make better decisions and be comfortable with changes that are ongoing in your life.
7. Embrace a filling and storage system
Order is an essential thing in life. A simplistic life is full of order. Come up with a filling system for all your physical and electronic files. Store them under clear labels so that you will not spend much time and effort when you need to retrieve them. Use a search program for your electronic documents and embrace services that allow you to sync files from one device to another. In your offline world, buy baskets, bins, and anything that can hold your items when they are not in use. Store everything in appropriate places every time you are through with them.
8. Embrace minimalism and frugality
Many people avoid talk about minimalism and frugality because to them, these words imply that they have to let go everything that they love. Just like simplicity, the concept of being frugal or minimal varies with every individual. This does not mean that it is necessarily a bad thing. To have a simple life, you need the power to manage your desires and intentions. One way to do that is by taming the materialistic urge inside you. Accept that there will always be newer, shinier, better-looking things that appeal to you. Most of these things are merely complimentary or substitute goods and services. The key to staying frugal and embracing a minimalist lifestyle is to know what you need and then avoid the urge to take up its additions. Think of the whole concept as a way to live an efficient life; your first step would definitely be to eliminate wasteful purchases and desires that lead to those purchases.
You may choose many other things to make your life simpler but the eight suggestions highlighted above will have the most impact in your life.
