In honour of Simplicity Day (12 July), try taking a day to make your life as simple as possible.
Simplicity Day is observed in honour of famous author, naturalist, philosopher, historian, tax resistor, abolitionist, development critic, surveyor and leading transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. Most importantly, he was an advocate for leading a life of simplicity. He is probably best known for his book Walden, which reflects simple living in natural surroundings.
Thoreau once said, “In proportion as he simplifies his life, the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor poverty poverty, nor weakness weakness”.
In our fast-paced and ever-busy lives, Simplicity Day is the perfect opportunity to take the time to simplify your life and take a break from all the hustle and bustle.
Here are some suggestions taken from mindbodygreen.com:
1. Evaluate your relationships and those that are draining you. Think about how the people in your life make you feel. Do they empower or drain you? Cut away destructive relationships and the ones that are left over will grow you, serve you and make you less stressed and more happy.
2. Disconnect fully for at least one hour a day. Think of this as a digital detox. No phone, no computer and no tablet. Switch off your electronic devices and take time to enjoy what’s going on around you. You don’t have to do this alone, you can spend time with your family and friends, and live in the moment (without posting it on social media).
3. Sweep every corner of your home. This isn’t just taking a broom and sweeping up, but doing a full sweep of your house, taking inventory of everything you own and decluttering, removing the unnecessary as well as anything that no longer makes you feel comfortable, clean, inspired and happy. Your home is your sanctuary. Treat it that way.
4. Get quiet. Be still and meditate. It may be difficult at first and you may want to give up, but the payoffs are worth it. Taking time each day to be quiet within yourself without judgement will go a long way to inner peace and simplifying your life.
5. Get rid of your to-do list and make an I-want list. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do the things you need to do, but don’t let them rule your life. Make a list of things you want to do. These are the things that make you happy and help you enjoy life in the present. Then follow that list until you learn to do things for your own well-being.
By following these steps you will learn to cut away the unnecessary, the draining and the stressful, allowing you to focus on living life in the present and simply enjoying the moment. What could be more simple than that?
How will you simplify your life today?
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