Everyday Simplicity

By Sharon Craig

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With the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, we can often find ourselves yearning for a quieter, simpler way of living. If your life has come to resemble an endless race to the finish line with no spare minutes, take a look at the suggestions below to bring a greater sense of calm and simplicity back into your life.

1) Less is more. It’s amazing how much “stuff” we can accumulate in our homes because we think ‘stuff’ will contribute to our lives. It’s true that we gain enjoyment from material possessions, but the more we accumulate the more burdened we often feel. Eventually we find ourselves living under a constant cloud of confusion, scattered thoughts and stress.

Begin immediately to clear out the material possessions you no longer need or want, and donate them to a local charitable organisation. This will accomplish two things: first, you’ll feel lighter and less cramped in your home; and you’ll also feel good about giving these items to people who can actually need and use them.

2) Choose your activities. An active life is good for you, but not if it leaves you feeling stressed and fatigued! Most of us take on way more than necessary as far as obligations and even recreational activities are concerned. Then we end up feeling tired, worn out and overstretched.

Take a few minutes to think about the things you do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Do you really need to do all of them? Have you taken on responsibilities that really aren’t yours? Do you actually enjoy all the activities that you are running around for?

Make a list of at least a few activities or obligations that you can eliminate, and then go ahead and do so – even if you have to gradually reduce unnecessary time fillers over a period of time you are on the way to greater simplicity.

3) Spend time in silence. A deceptively simple way to live a life of simplicity and ease is to shut out the mental and physical “noise” of your busy life on a regular basis. Sitting in silence for just a few minutes can drastically reduce your stress levels and leave you feeling calm, centred and happy.

If you live near a park or natural setting, you can even boost the effectiveness of this activity by spending time in nature. While not completely silent, natural settings have soothing sounds like running water, singing birds and wind sighing through trees – which automatically trigger feelings of peace and well-being. If you are in the office, close the door for three minutes of silence and you will emerge feeling like a different person.

When it comes right down to it, living a simpler life is about learning how to slow down and connect more deeply with your inner self. Whether you do that by simplifying your surroundings, calming your schedule or enjoying some quiet time each day, the result is the same – a happier and more peaceful you!