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A Guide to Simplifying Life
Feeling overwhelmed, whether by clutter or too many commitments, is detrimental to our well-being. Try this collection of ideas to create a home and life with time and space to breathe, relax and enjoy.By Jessica Kellner
January/February 2016
Feeling overwhelmed, whether by clutter or too many commitments, diminishes our ability to focus on what matters in our lives.
Photo by iStock
As ironic as it may seem, simplifying our lives can sometimes feel overwhelming. Perhaps you have a basement or garage so jam-packed with stuff, you can’t muster up the energy to go through it. Or maybe you are rushing so much between work appointments, family obligations, kids’ activities and more that you don’t have time to even think about simplifying. Maybe you’re not rushed every day, but you find you’re spending time on things that aren’t your true passion and need to consider a life adjustment.
No matter your individual situation, by stopping to evaluate how we spend our time, we can pull back on activities that don’t give us much in the way of a return, and free up more time to spend on the things we love. We have only one life; we owe it to ourselves to pursue our passions.
The 10 tips to follow are from the blog Zen Habits by Leo Babauta. Babauta—a writer, runner and father of six—created the blog (named one of the top 50 websites in the world by TIME magazine) to try to find simplicity in the chaos of daily life. Over the past decade, he has transformed his life to become healthier and calmer and pursue what he loves. He shares information to help readers do the same. Visit Zen Habitats to read much more.
• 8 Spaces to Declutter with Smart Organization Hacks
1. Make a short list. Take out a sheet of paper and fold it into a small square, or use an index card. Now make a short list of the four or five most important things in your life. What’s most important to you? What do you value most? What four to five things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.
2. Drop one commitment. Think about all the things in your life you’re committed to doing, and try to find one that takes up time but doesn’t give you much value. Perhaps you’re on a team, or coaching something, or on a board or committee, or whatever—something you do each day or week or month that you don’t really want to do. Now take action today to drop that commitment. Call someone or send an email telling the appropriate person or people that you just don’t have the time. You will feel relief. I’d recommend eventually dropping all commitments that don’t contribute to your short list (from item No. 1), but for today, just drop one commitment.
No matter your individual situation, by stopping to evaluate how we spend our time, we can pull back on activities that don’t give us much in the way of a return, and free up more time to spend on the things we love. We have only one life; we owe it to ourselves to pursue our passions.
The 10 tips to follow are from the blog Zen Habits by Leo Babauta. Babauta—a writer, runner and father of six—created the blog (named one of the top 50 websites in the world by TIME magazine) to try to find simplicity in the chaos of daily life. Over the past decade, he has transformed his life to become healthier and calmer and pursue what he loves. He shares information to help readers do the same. Visit Zen Habitats to read much more.
Organization Tips
• Boost Productivity: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential• 8 Spaces to Declutter with Smart Organization Hacks
10 Simplifying Tips from Leo Babauta
These are what I consider the 10 most important steps we can take to live a simpler life. Choose one and do it today. Tomorrow, choose another. If you do these 10 things, you’ll have made great strides with little effort.1. Make a short list. Take out a sheet of paper and fold it into a small square, or use an index card. Now make a short list of the four or five most important things in your life. What’s most important to you? What do you value most? What four to five things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.
2. Drop one commitment. Think about all the things in your life you’re committed to doing, and try to find one that takes up time but doesn’t give you much value. Perhaps you’re on a team, or coaching something, or on a board or committee, or whatever—something you do each day or week or month that you don’t really want to do. Now take action today to drop that commitment. Call someone or send an email telling the appropriate person or people that you just don’t have the time. You will feel relief. I’d recommend eventually dropping all commitments that don’t contribute to your short list (from item No. 1), but for today, just drop one commitment.
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