If I were to define a simple life, I would say it’s a life lived intentionally by being present in the current moment. Not in the past or future but in the present moment.
In today's, hustle and bustle, everyone's pursuit of happiness is either acquiring more wealth or material goods. However, choosing a simple life is the only way to achieve long-term happiness and live a meaningful life.
Life is a series of problems (one after another) for all of us alike. What happy people do differently is that they find ways to solve them rather than moan about them. This simple code, my friend, is the key to finding happiness.
What do you mean by Simple Living?
Simple Living is not just about material decluttering but also about internal cleansing. You cleanse yourself by taking full accountability for your circumstances, and not by complicating life by playing the victim card or blame card.
In my previous blog post, I had shared my thoughts and explained how I’m an aspiring minimalist. In this post, I’m trying to connect the dots. So, do hear me out!
Where or in whom does our happiness lie?
This is a basic misconception where we feel a person, thing or life swap would make us happy. For instance, only if I was married, or in a relationship or living in another country or with a child or got a promotion or had more wealth and material advancements only and only then I would be happy. This, in fact, is confusing pleasure with happiness.
No doubt, pleasurable moments do add spice to our life but happiness is not like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is a daily effort from our side. Something to be practiced and renewed with enthusiasm, every day.
When we renew ourselves daily it teach us to enjoy the simple treasures in life and helps us to be in touch with real happiness every moment. Happiness is actually a by-product of million small things. Just like in farming you sow, plant, water, weed considerately, harvest and then repeat.
How to start living a simple life?
Happiness is deeply rooted in simplicity.
Start by clearing the physical, digital, and emotional clutter.
Reduce the number of hours spent on social media.
Start investing in things and relationships that really matter.
Learn to let go of both material and mental baggage that have fulfilled their purpose in your life.
Make room for new experiences and
Free up more time to spend with your family and friends.
The author, Gary Chapman, in his book The Five Love Languages suggests couples to spend 10 or 15 mins daily talking to each other about anything under the sun. Talk about anything other than work, or bills.
Setting 10 or even 15+ mins daily is how you keep the emotional love tank full. He also suggests to spend time alone, read, meditate, pray, exercise, eat right, and shape good habits. I 100% agree with all the thoughts shared by the author Gary. Do check out his book to discover your primary love language. You deserve to know life's simple joys and wonders.
I would like to summarize my post with the below pointers:
Resist the Temptation
Stop and think for a moment are you a hoarder? A hoarder of material things and toxic relationships. Then break free today! Resist the temptation to impress others and be liked by all. Simplify and remove these distractions in order to breathe and focus better in life.
Minimize Consumption
Consume less by being intentional and aware of your everyday purchases. Mindless consumption is depleting the earth's natural resources and accelerating climate change like never before. Protect the planet by emitting lower carbon footprint and also consider these practical steps.
Save water and electricity
Reduce food wastage
Use reusable Eco-bags, and cutlery
Go for multipurpose products for cleaning and skin care
Avoid multitasking and focus on finishing one job at a time
Unsubscribe from junk sales and discount mails
Escape the consumer-driven world
Avoid Impulsiveness
Retrain yourself to slow down. Take a deeper look, ask yourself why you do it? Stop and reflect. Try to understand your feelings behind being impulsive. Learn to be mindful.
Advertisements today, give us the impression that sales and discounts are meant to get us the best deal. But it actually creates more of a sense of urgency, and impulsiveness.
So, I would suggest the following:
If you are a shopaholic, leave your credit cards at home.
If you are an online shopaholic then add to cart the items you wish to purchase and come back after 24 hours or more.
I know how it feels to binge shop online. I too have bought what not from just clicking one item after another. But I have learned the trick of shopping wisely. All I do now is add to cart and leave it there. When I return the next day or week, I simply remove the items that were impulsive and only purchase what is really important. Remember, quality over quantity at all times.
Delaying Gratification
It means having self-control and experiencing the pain first. Accomplish the difficult part of your job first (a.k.a Eat that frog!) then gratify yourself not the other way round. Focus your valuable time and energy on the things that matter most.
Simple living doesn't always mean moving to the countryside away from all the noise and pollution of the city life. Even though many prefer the countryside, the other majority feel stuck in this rat race of working, paying bills, and repeating. But that doesn't mean happiness can't be attained. As mentioned earlier, happiness is an activity to be practiced and renewed with enthusiasm every day.
Be grateful for the people in your inner circle. Spend quality time with them. Life is short, look at the world right now. Who is their wildest dream could have thought the year 2020 would be cornered by The Corona Virus and countries be under strict lock-down.
Be grateful for your life exactly the way it is. Because someone out there is praying to have a life like yours.
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