How to Embrace Simplicity
Some people are experts in simple living. Tammy Strobel is one expert who lives it. She’s also a very supportive and talented fellow blogger who has generously agreed to guest post on Momentum Gathering this week.
This is a guest post written by Tammy Strobel of Rowdy Kittens.
So many of us are overwhelmed by an incredible amount of advertising everyday. We are surrounded by a plenitude of stuff, but many of us aren’t happy. We are searching for something that will give us the momentum to find happiness in our lives. I think that “something” is simplicity.
Embracing simplicity allowed me to find happiness in my own life. I downsized my belongings, sold my cars, and finally paid off my debt. By taking these steps, I feel less overwhelmed in my personal and professional life.
Why simplicity?
The increasing complexity of our world has fragmented our time, attention span, and has left many people stressed out and financially strained. Simplicity is about examining areas of excess. Areas of excess could be shopping too much, checking your e-mail 30 times a day, or over-eating. By embracing simplicity and eliminating your own areas of excess, you can reclaim your time, health, and focus on creating meaningful connections with friends, family and your community.
The idea of simplifying your life can be daunting, so let’s talk about a few ideas to get you started.
Take inventory of your stuff and banish clutter from your life.
There is no magic solution or quick lifestyle fix to the problem of clutter. If you have a house full of stuff, de-cluttering responsibly will take time. And that’s okay.
Go through your home, room by room, and create piles of stuff you want to keep and stuff you want to donate. Don’t rush this process. Going through all of your stuff gradually won’t be so overwhelming.
Be responsible as you de-clutter your stuff. Don’t throw your stuff away! Give it away or re-purpose your stuff. We don’t need more stuff in the landfills, toxins seeping into our water supply or more garbage shipped to developing countries.
Micro-action: Take inventory of your stuff. And start small. Read How to Shed Your Stuff and The Story of Stuff.
Think about your needs before you purchase a new item.
In Your Money Or Your Life, the authors encourage people to ask themselves three questions before they buy anything:
- Will I receive fulfillment, satisfaction and value in proportion to life energy spent?
- Is this expenditure of life energy in alignment with my values and life purpose?
- How might this expenditure change if I didn’t have to work for a living?
Micro-action: Write down the questions above on a slip of paper. Put it in your wallet. Inserting this little slip of paper in your wallet will help you remember to ask these questions before you purchase an item.
Do less, focus more.
Life doesn’t have to be so busy. You can make a choice to do less and focus more. For instance, consider ditching your TV and limiting the amount of time you spend on the internet. Rather than watching television after work or spending hours surfing the internet, set time aside to focus on your priorities.
Maybe you want to spend more time with your kids or start a small business. All of these things are doable. But you have to take action. Start doing less and focusing more on what makes you happy.
Micro-actions: Make a list of distractions in your life and think about how you can start cultivating focus. More importantly, take action.
Go on a tiny vacation.
A “tiny vacation” is a way to refocus and examine your state of mind. You can take a tiny vacation at a moments notice and you don’t have to go far. For instance, a tiny vacation might be a walk in the park, spending an hour at a coffee shop, or taking a long afternoon nap.
Micro-action: Brainstorm a list of tiny vacation ideas. Set aside 30 minutes per day to take your own little vacation. Use that time to recharge and refocus.
Be mindful of your physical and mental health.
We only get one body and mind. If we don’t take care of both, life can be difficult. The beauty of simplifying your physical world is you’ll have more time to focus your health. For example, if you aren’t working 12 hours a day and commuting for two, you’ll be able to exercise and spend time with loved ones.
What steps have you taken to simplify your life? Please leave a comment and share your story.
Photo by Tammy.
Tammy Strobel blogs at RowdyKittens about simple living and is the author of Simply Car-free: How to Pedal Toward Financial Freedom and a Healthier Life.
31 Responses to “How to Embrace Simplicity”
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My life simplification is a work in progress. Every day I get rid of or give away a few more items and am hyper-aware of what I bring in to our home. I ask myself things like, “Is it necessary?’ and ‘Is it beautiful?’
I’ve also cut a zillion things out of my schedule — even things I enjoyed — because I enjoy unstructured time even more. I like to be able to wander and putter. Those are two of my most favorite things in the world!
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..If You Host It, I Can Digg It =-.
Two things I love: the idea of tiny vacations (which I plan to take a lot more of in the coming months) and the reminder to “take action.”
Movement is a powerful thing. Thanks for the great post Katie and Tammy!
.-= Melissa Gorzelanczyk´s last blog ..Simple Actions That Really Make The World A Better Place =-.
Over the past five years, I have slowly been moving towards a simpler life, but it seems I always took one step forward and two steps back. Now, I am out of excuses and tired of living the “American Dream”. Project simplify is underway in my life and there is no slowing it down!
.-= Courtney Carver´s last blog ..Clearing the Clutter You Can’t See =-.
You are such a good writer and motivator, Tammy. My simple life is the richest, most amazing life I have ever known. To no longer be weighed down by false responsibilities and commitments, to know and embrace what is real about our lives, that is how to really be alive. You are leaving a legacy.
Awesome Katie to have Tammy posting – love RowdyKittens and Momentum Gathering. So much good advice here. more please!
.-= Mark Owen-Ward´s last blog ..the tyranny of “fast” =-.
Thank you for the tips on Simplicity!!! I have to admit, I can’t ditch my Mac and my blogging – but I don’t browse for the sake of browsing and I can’t spell a single channel on TV for the life of me (or operate the DVD player for those rare times I need to watch a movie!) but I still need even more reminders on Simplicity. You know one thing I do is to just STOP a few times a day, sometimes 20 times, and ask myself, “Ok, what are you doing now, what are you working on? Are you focusing on it? Is it important? When are you going to finish it?” Then I stay focused – and I am constantly evaluating what I spend my time on!
)!
Oh and I am ALL for that mini vacation (or a maxi one
All I can say Tammy is where have we got by ignoring the simple approach? Not far at all. Simplicity is sagacity. Keep it simple and you will have much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for your post and love the phrase and ethos of a “tiny vacation”. Might have one this weekend now actually!
.-= John Sherry´s last blog ..Optimism Week – Day 1 Blast The Past =-.
@Jean – That rocks! I recently cut a lot of commitments from my schedule and have finally started saying no. It’s hard but I feel much more rested and free.
@Melissa – Thank you.
Chris, from Tiny Simplicity, wrote a post earlier this month about tiny vacations and I feel in love with the concept.
@Courtney – Try not to be hard on yourself. Downsizing is a process. It took us over two years to cut the excess and focus on what truly matters. Now we’re living in a 400 square foot apartment and loving life. Although we constantly have to evaluate what we want to keep and what needs to go. Somehow excess stuff magically appears in my life.
@Chris – Thank you! You are too kind.
@Mark – Sweet! And thanks for reading.
@Farnoosh – I don’t be ditching my Mac or blogging anytime soon.
I think the questions you ask yourself are so important. It’s a great way to stay focused and be mindful of how you spend your time.
@John – Thank you! I’m happy you found the post helpful. And we have Chris to thank for the concept of “tiny vacations.” If you have a chance, check out his blog: http://www.tinysimplicity.com/
I have recently embarked on a simplification journey at my home. I’ve given books to friends and donated to the library. We cleaned out the kitchen of seldom-used utensils and dropped it all off at Goodwill. I’ve re-examined what was left of my books and did another purge just this past week. I’ve started listing items for sale on Craigslist and any income from that endeavor goes straight into our savings. I really just take it one step at a time. I am trying not to procrastinate too much but the last big area I need to dive into is the master bedroom closet!
Hillarie – that is so awesome! Keep it up.
I just wrote a post about decluttering closets. You can read it here: http://www.rentedspaces.com/2010/06/03/ace-of-space-how-to-unclutter-your-closet/
I hope you find it helpful. Best of luck.
.-= Tammy Strobel´s last blog ..What I’ve Learned Since I Left My Day Job =-.
Oh I love your description of “tiny vacation” – how divine – it makes those things so much more exciting to think of them as vacations.
I do agree with what you said about the 12 hour day and 2 hour commute. It’s been an awful reality for a very long time. My road toward simplicity has been long with many detours – I maintain the aspirations – thank you for the post!!!
Aileen – Thanks for reading.
I’m glad you found the article helpful. It sounds like you have a long commute. Is there anyway you can telecommute for part of the week? 
Best of luck.
.-= Tammy Strobel´s last blog ..What I’ve Learned Since I Left My Day Job =-.
Thank you Katie for having Tammy here. And thank you Tammy for this simple advice on simplifying.
The idea of tiny vacations appeal to me a lot. I like the sound of the word vacation better than a break. It is more relaxing and has an element of fun to it. This is what I intend to do right after this. A tiny vacation nap.
Simplicity has been a great source of increased awareness for me. The less I own and the less I do, the more aware I become of what I own and how I can enjoy it and where my time goes.
Thank you for the reminders Tammy.
.-= Manal´s last blog ..The Art of Slow =-.
Thanks Manual. I totally agree with you. Less really is more.
.-= Tammy Strobel´s last blog ..What I’ve Learned Since I Left My Day Job =-.
Thanks Tammy for a great post and some great advice for Week 4 of the Cleanse. Taking stock and letting go are, in part, about simplifying. Your wisdom and resources are wonderful. Hopefully, we’ll collaborate again one day.
Thank you Katie! And yes, I’m always up for collaborative projects.
Also, I’d love to have you write a guest post for RowdyKittens.
Keep up the rockin’ writing.
.-= Tammy Strobel´s last blog ..What I’ve Learned Since I Left My Day Job =-.
Enjoyed this! I like the idea of a mini-vacation too–I spend a lot of time in the house (I work at home) and I don’t go far since I have two dogs and 2 cats–one very elderly. But I think that will be my mindset next time I feel like going out to a coffee shop!
Also reminded me of three months I lived in a tent a few years back–when your prized possession is a little campstove you picked up along the way, other stuff kind of gets meaningless lol
.-= Leah McClellan´s last blog ..You talk too much! Tips and tricks for talkers and quiet types =-.
Thanks for leaving a comment Leah.
Your comment about your tent and little camp stove made me smile.
I’m planning on doing a lot of mini bike tours this summer and can’t wait to cook by the camp fire.
.-= Tammy Strobel´s last blog ..What I’ve Learned Since I Left My Day Job =-.
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Post Garage Sale Tips =-.
I have simplified my things, though I know that in the near-ish future I can simplify more, and am doing my best to only provide for my daughter (due in 9 wks!) that which she will need. As she grows and shows me what she does and doesn’t like past the jazz and animals she kicks for now then I will get her those things that truely make her happy. But she is too precious to be spoiled. Past that we are trying to rehome a few of our animals in order to provide them a better home as well as to be able to spend quality time with the animals we will keep. I am working on simplifying my time spent online and in interactions that I don’t feel are productive. I am working on the courage to live a barefoot lifestyle and becoming car-lite (as I live in a rural area).
It is slowly beginning to rub off on my family as well. My in-laws are finally going through their two barns full of stuff and my parents are looking at downsizing for financial reasons as well as simplicity reasons. And my husband is starting to see how less stuff makes it easier to find things, thereby reducing stress.
Thank you Tammy for being one of the people who helped inspire me to take charge of my life.
@Dawn – Thanks for sharing your story. That is so awesome. When I first started downsizing my friends and family thought we were crazy. But like you said, slowly but surely our actions started to rub off on them. My in-laws have finally started to sort through their stuffed garaged and downsized from 4 cars to 2.
Good luck and thanks for the kind words.
Hi Katie, I followed your blog link from A-List Blogging site and I’m so glad I did. I love your blog already, and I know I’m going to find inspiration here to continue my quest for a simpler life. I’ve subscribed by email and will now go and read past posts.
Oops! I forgot to speak directly to this wonderful post by Tammy. I’m already implementing most of these ideas but it is always good to be reminded of them again. I learn by repetition. Thanks to Tammy for a terrific post and I’ll be checking out her blog.
.-= Betty Jo´s last blog ..our simple living trek =-.
Thanks for reading Betty. Best of luck on your simplicity journey.
Hi Tammy,
I really enjoyed this post.
I think as I get older I realize that the simple life is the one for me. Less stuff to take care of and haul with you if you move, and less time spent on taking care of all this stuff is what I’m aiming for now. The idea of having more time to just “be” really appeals to me.
Thank you!
.-= Angela Artemis´s last blog ..Is There a Difference Between Intuition, Psychism and Mediumship? =-.
Less is definitely more. More time, more space, and more freedom. Ahh… My rule with stuff around the house, use it, need it or toss it, unless it makes you smile. And need is limited to one thing, a vital or important document. That’s it.
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..A Beer Inspired Blog Post =-.
Tammy and Katie, thank you for this very important post. And thank you to all who have left such insightful and encouraging comments. Aiming for Simplicity means going against the tide, or going against traffic, with the majority trying to live The American Dream. It’s good to have such places as Momentum Gathering and Rowdy Kittens to share the joys of living with less stuff and more freedom. My blog focuses on the simple pleasures of the table, comfort food prepared and shared with love. I believe if children are given their parents’ time and attention they’ll not need to be given every latest toy, game and gadget that comes down the pike.
Jean, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post as well as the other comments. I’m really flattered that you consider Tammy and I comparable. I find her blog such an inspiration. I love the sound of the focus of your blog, Jean — admirable and timely.
I loved reading your Simplicity article. However how does one spend less time on the net when there is so much fabulous info out there to read????. Yours being a perfect example