Lifehack/Life Lesson/Lifestyle

Ten Ways Of Living Simply

Living simply is finding beauty in less and choosing quality over quantity.

It is easier to live a complicated life without realising it because of the many supposedly innovations out there. The manufacturers made us believe these gargets are to simplify our lives, but in fact, they do complicate it more than they simplify.

Living simply is a series of deliberate choices to simplify one’s lifestyle

I was watching a YouTube video of a man who automates his home in virtually everything. He gives commands and pronto, doors open and close, lights are switched on and off, juices are served from the refrigerator, and channels come on when he sits down to watch the television. All the commands were based on his voice recognition.

It was good at first, but then he had an oral surgical procedure. That day, he couldn’t enter his house. The rest is history. He reverts back to the basics. He realised that no magic wand can control life. Here are some lifehacks that make living a simple life easier.

1. Declutter

Both your life and your living space. Most of us are bogged down by things that we no longer need. Look for items to give away and create space for the flow of energy and abundance in your life. We should do the same for our lives too, friends, hobbies and habits that do not add value to our lives should be set aside.

Declutter your expenses too. Look into your bank statement regularly, and stop any expenses that are not necessary. Another way to reduce your expenses is to ensure you only pay for the services you use. Track your money to ensure that nothing is going down the drain. Now that gyms are closed during the pandemic, you realise that you can exercise by walking in the local parks, and carry out simple exercises by watching YouTube videos.

2. Control Your Spending

Look closely at your credit cards. You might think they are useful and handy to have, but the problem is that if you don’t have them, you will not think of using them. And moreover, people don’t really think they are spending money when they are making expenditures on cards. Are you one of those that have many credit cards? Choose only one, the one with the cheapest interest rate to hold, and get rid of others.

Have a look at your cable television. Are you paying for too many channels than you are able to watch? This is another way to save money.

3. Look For Ways To Save Time

Your time should be spent doing things that add value to your life. Otherwise, you are wasting that precious time. Choosing to use your time wisely is one of the ways to live simply. Do not get unnecessarily attached to your ‘’TO-DO LIST’’. These can be undone if they don’t give you any value or joy. You are not doing things because of the Status Quo, but what is more important per se?

4. A Simpler Healthy Diet

Living a simple life means eating fresh local produce, especially from the farmer’s market near you, rather than buying from the supermarkets, foods have been flown thousands of miles across the world.

Healthy lifestyles should include exercise, taking in the fresh air as well as eating healthily.

5. Take A Regular Digital Detox

Digital life has virtually consumed us. But we need to create a space for it, otherwise, all our time will be spent on the media. Reduce apps from your phone, and limit notifications. Switch off your phone when you want to sleep or have a quiet time. And reduce watching television, especially non-essential channels.

6. Practice Total Rest

Most of us believe we have to be doing something all the time, and therefore have no time for rest. What about ‘’doing nothing’’? I once read a book, about how having regular time to do nothing increases our productivity and allow us to rest our brain. Create a me-time where you do nothing, connect with your inner self and listen to the still small voice.

This will also clear your mind from stress and regenerate your mind. Do not over-cramp your days. Work smarter, not harder.

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” — Confucius

7. Learn To Say No

This is an important aspect of living simply because not every request is going to be important to us, or bring value to our lives. Learning to say no saves us from getting unnecessary overwhelmed.

‘’Learn to say No to the good so that you can say YES to the best’’ John C Maxwell

8. Live In The Moment

This is by being conscious of what is going on in and around you. Be present in the small and big actions that you undertake. Do not automate your life, that you become a mechanical object that operates only at the touch of a button.

9. Appreciate The Power Of Enough

Most of us believe that we have to work our ass off, and become wealthy to be happy. And what happens to all these gains at the end of the day? Anything more than what we need is a waste, if only we know. That is why we find people giving things away. I read about a couple who won $77m in a lottery and gave everything away. They reckon they did not really need a penny out of it because they have enough of everything they need. That is the power of enough. And definitely more is not an answer.

10. Do Not Multitask

Some people believe that they are being clever and saving time by multitasking. This is not true. Research indicates that the brain suffers if you constantly multitask because the brain cannot process two tasks at the same time. It also takes time between shifting from one task to another. Rather take one task at a time. Finish that one before moving into another.

The Takeaways

• Live in the moment, and not necessarily work your ass out. Learn to create your free space and relish it.
• Living simply is a deliberate choice. It is not easy to practice, especially in this age of greed and wanting more.
• Learn to differentiate what you have to do, and what you need to ignore.