10 Ways to Live a Simple Life using the P.P.B. Technique

Life is of course what you make of it but there are many people, including myself, who have made life more complicated than it needed to be. Over the last couple years, I’ve learned more about me. My children say it’s soul searching, my husband thinks it’s a midlife crisis, but to me… it’s living simple and simply living.

I have been…well…what some call an overthinking, analytical, perfectionist all of my life. I had life planned out from being a straight A student throughout school, college, and beyond. I had a great career, was Super mom, an amazing wife. However, it didn’t work out so great when I was at my breaking point and couldn’t understand what was happening.

What happened if everything seemed to be going so great?

I had a major breakdown where my emotions were all over the place and I was lashing at everyone. Communication didn’t work because I didn’t know why this was happening. Therapy helped very little, medications didn’t help, relax….who…what is that. Oh no there’s no way when there’s so much to do and I have a lot going on in life. That’s just it! That’s it! I had a lot going on.

My life was chaotic because I was overdoing things for everyone in my household and outside of my household, but was I doing anything for me?

Was I really happy in life?

Why is my life so complicated?

How can I live a normal simple life?

Those questions circled around in my head until one day while working with a client overnight, I had an epiphany. I was in the beginning of a spiritual and self reflection journey that I decided to do. Everything that I had been so depressed, angry, confused, and overwhelmed about was all summed up into one action that I needed to do in just two words. Let Go!

Let Go! I burst into tears and realized that I had to let it all go. It was time to share my super powers. It was time to put my pride down, let go of the feeling of obligation, and let others share in responsibilities. It was time for me to take control of ME mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I no longer needed to clutter my mind with the burdens of others or unnecessary objectives that weren’t beneficial for me. I came up with an acronym, which I passed on to my students. The acronym is P.P.B., which stands for Positive, Productive, and Beneficial.

I began my healing process by asking myself questions using the P.P.B. technique that I created to allow me to discern what should be let go and what should not.

Is this Positive for me?

Is it Productive for me?

Is it Beneficial for me?

If I couldn’t answer yes to two or more of those questions, it wasn’t worth my time, energy, or effort. The P.P.B. Technique has been a life changing experience for me. I, now, live a simple and happy life. My plate is clear and I do what makes me happy first and foremost. The feeling is indescribable and not only am I happy with the change, but my family is happier. I realize that in order to live a simple life, I had to declutter my mind so that I could have clarity about decisions and take time to focus on me.

Since I began using the P.P.B. Technique and the ten steps below daily, I now live a very happy and simple life.

1.Declutter regularly: Take time to declutter your living space, getting rid of unnecessary possessions and keeping only what you truly need or value.

2. Practice mindful consumption: Before buying something new, ask yourself if it aligns with your needs and values. Avoid impulsive purchases and focus on acquiring only what brings you genuine joy or serves a practical purpose.

3. Develop a minimalist wardrobe: Simplify your clothing choices by creating a capsule wardrobe, consisting of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched. Donate or sell items you no longer wear.

4. Opt for experiences over material possessions: Invest in experiences that create lasting memories instead of accumulating material possessions. Focus on activities that bring you joy and enrich your life.

5. Establish a simple daily routine: Design a daily routine that includes essential tasks and activities while leaving room for relaxation, self-care, and pursuing your passions. Keep it flexible yet structured.

6. Practice gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by regularly expressing appreciation for the simple things in life. This mindset shift can bring more contentment and help you focus on what truly matters.

7. Limit digital distractions: Set boundaries around your use of technology and social media. Designate tech-free zones or specific times to disconnect and enjoy uninterrupted moments of peace and presence.

8. Prioritize quality over quantity: Instead of chasing after more possessions, prioritize quality over quantity. Invest in items that are durable, long-lasting, and serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

9. Streamline your commitments: Assess your commitments and learn to say “no” to activities or obligations that don’t align with your priorities or add value to your life. Focus on fewer but more meaningful commitments.

10. Embrace the power of simplicity: Embrace simplicity as a guiding principle in various aspects of your life, whether it’s in your home decor, daily routines, relationships, or decision-making process. Let simplicity guide your choices and bring a sense of calm and clarity to your life.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope that you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Show your support by giving it a clap, two claps, or a round of applause. If you can relate, highlight and comment. I respond to all comments.