simplify my life

Although I’m still working on what I called Phase one: to rid the self of the old including possessions & outdated thoughts, I’m happy to read what other people have to say on living simply. It reminds me of how I want to be and it motivates me to continue with this goal.

If you’re so inclined, you may wish to check out this great list I found this morning. Again I’m calmed for a simpler life.

To simplify brings around change not just in possessions, collections, and nick-nacks but also in how you think and act. Do you truly need an item. Do you truly need to keep an item you haven’t used, worn, read, enjoyed etc in the past several years? Absolutely not. You’ve survived without it just fine, why are you hanging onto it? You can free yourself from these things via donation, garage sales, eBay, etc. That’s one point of view to consider.

Another that I have taken on is the notion that I have plenty. Don’t substitute this to mean I’m wealthy – I’m not – It’s just that I am blessed with a roof over my head, enough money to live off comfortably, good food so I never miss a meal, enough clothes to wear no matter the season, footwear, blankets, loved ones, and companion animals. Many people don’t even have one of those items. Therefore I have a bounty I am blessed with.

Simplicity is a lifestyle, and how you live your life reflects your state of mind, happiness and attitude. Simplicity isn’t just about throwing out stuff you got for Christmas you don’t want, it’s about enjoying what you do have in your life.

Starting with this mindset I have found that there is much I own in the way of clothing, entertainment, household items, and time wasters that need to go. Today focused on socks, clothes, blankets, etc. It’s winter here and many people out there could use these items, plus how many sock draws can you have? How many clothes do you need to get through a week? Do you look at things and think “I really must put that away” and realise you’ve been thinking that for several years and you just don’t like the object enough to put it away so it sits there. You stare at it. You hate that object. How can you be at peace in your environment like that? You can’t. Get rid of the object, you’ll be happier.

By these acts alone not only do you rid yourself of things you do not use, like, nor want, but you free up your space and give to others that have needs you may not. To simplify, is to free up space, mentally and physically. We’re so much happier when we’re living in a place that brings us joy and also when we’ve partaken of something that makes us feel good. It’s so easy to do both at the same time.

The key though I am finding about “Simplifying my Life” is that I must discard that which is outdated in my world and that’s not just clothes. Old dreams. Old ideas. Old thought patterns. Old habits. Old career paths. Old beliefs. Easier said than done, but such a relief when worked through.

sim·pli·fy
To make simple or simpler, as:
a. To reduce in complexity or extent.
b. To reduce to fundamental parts.
c. To make easier to understand.