My priorities in recent years have changed. I find myself yearning for greater simplicity. The more I pare down to the essentials, the more balance, freedom and pleasure I experience. The things I used to consider important are no longer priorities. I want to spend precious time and energy on the few things that give me the most satisfaction. I’m not fully there yet – it’s a work in progress. Like most people, I have old attachments to all sorts of things, including beliefs, emotions, people, experiences, objects and status. So I have to continually evaluate; Is this really what I want? Am I spending energy on what’s most important to me ? Am I falling into old ways of thinking?
So how do you create a simpler life?
Based on my own experiences, observations and research and from talking with others who have walked this path, here are the important things to consider:
Possessions
We’ve been sold a dream. The marketing gurus have certainly done their job well. The idea that material accumulation will make us happy has been fed to us relentlessly. But the evidence says exactly the opposite. Studies don’t cite possessions as a factor that contributing to our overall happiness and wellbeing.
In fact, an abundance of possessions can complicate our lives to a greater degree than we realise. They drain our bank account, our energy and our attention. So investing the time to declutter the non-essential belongings from your life will immediately leapfrog you towards simplicity.
Time commitments
Many people fill their days with a variety of time commitments involving work, home, family obligations and hobbies. Sometimes we continue to do things just because we always have – we are creatures of habit. Some of us live over-busy lives because of the expectations and demands of others. But it’s really important to remember that we always have a choice. Periodically evaluate where you are spending your precious time. Where possible, release yourself from the time commitments that are not bringing you pleasure or aligned with your life values.
Goals
How many goals do you currently have? Often we have far too many, which makes it really difficult to prioritise what’s most important. By reducing the number down to one or two, you will improve not just your focus but also your success rate. Make a list of the things you want to accomplish in your life and choose the two most important. When you achieve one, add another goal from your list.
Debt
There’s no quick fix to getting rid of debt; it takes sacrifice and serious commitment. I know people who have watched every penny for years to free themselves from the captivity of debt. But it’s worth the sacrifice. When I downsized to pay off my mortgage four years ago (we’ve been conditioned to think that a mortgage isn’t really a debt!), it was truly liberating. It enabled me to start my business, and although I previously enjoyed working in education, I’m now following my dream and passion. I’ve still got a lovely home, but there’s less of it to maintain, it’s cheaper to run and I no longer have two acres of garden to slave over! Sacrifice luxury today to enjoy freedom tomorrow.
External connections
Relationships with others are a good thing, but only if they aren’t distracting you from what is most important. Notice when it’s the right time to turn off the phone, log off social media or not read a text. Likewise, a steady flow of distractions from other people may make us feel important, needed or wanted, but feeling important and accomplishing important things are two very different things.