post written by: Marc
60 Ways To Make Life Simple Again
When we were young life was easier, right? I know sometimes it seems that way. But the truth is life still is easy. It always will be. The only difference is we’re older, and the older we get, the more we complicate things for ourselves.
You see, when we were young we saw the world through simple, hopeful eyes. We knew what we wanted and we had no biases or concealed agendas. We liked people who smiled. We avoided people who frowned. We ate when we were hungry, drank when we were thirsty, and slept when we were tired.
As we grew older our minds became gradually disillusioned by negative external influences. At some point we began to hesitate and question our instincts. When a new obstacle or growing pain arose, we stumbled and a fell down. This happened several times. Eventually we decided we didn’t want to fall again, but rather than solving the problem that caused us to fall, we avoided it all together.
As a result, we ate comfort food and drank alcohol to numb our wounds and fill our voids. We worked late nights on purpose to avoid unresolved conflicts at home. We started holding grudges, playing mind games, and subtly deceiving others and ourselves to get ahead. And when it didn’t work out, we lived above our means, bought things we didn’t need, and ate and drank some more just to make ourselves feel better again.
Over the course of time, we made our lives more and more difficult, and we started losing touch with who we really are and what we really need.
So let’s get back to the basics, shall we? Let’s make things simple again. It’s easy. Here are 60 ways to do just that:
Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple,
and the simple thing is the right thing.
- Oscar Wilde
- Don’t try to read other people’s minds. Don’t make other people try to read yours. Communicate.
- Be polite, but don’t try to be friends with everyone around you. Instead, spend time nurturing your relationships with the people who matter most to you.
- Your health is your life, keep up with it. Get an annual physical check-up.
- Live below your means. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need. Always sleep on big purchases. Create a budget and savings plan and stick to both of them.
- Get enough sleep every night. An exhausted mind is rarely productive.
- Get up 30 minutes earlier so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man. That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness, and other unnecessary headaches.
- Get off your high horse, talk it out, shake hands or hug, and move on.
- Don’t waste your time on jealously. The only person you’re competing against is yourself.
- Surround yourself with people who fill your gaps. Let them do the stuff they’re better at so you can do the stuff you’re better at.
- Organize your living space and working space. Read David Allen’s book Getting Things Done
for some practical organizational guidance.
- Get rid of stuff you don’t use.
- Ask someone if you aren’t sure.
- Spend a little time now learning a time-saving trick or shortcut that you can use over and over again in the future.
- Don’t try to please everyone. Just do what you know is right.
- Don’t drink alcohol or consume recreational drugs when you’re mad or sad. Take a jog instead.
- Be sure to pay your bills on time.
- Fill up your gas tank on the way home, not in the morning when you’re in a hurry.
- Use technology to automate tasks.
- Handle important two-minute tasks immediately.
- Relocate closer to your place of employment.
- Don’t steal.
- Always be honest with yourself and others.
- Say “I love you” to your loved ones as often as possible.
- Single-task. Do one thing at a time and give it all you got.
- Finish one project before you start another.
- Be yourself.
- When traveling, pack light. Don’t bring it unless you absolutely must.
- Clean up after yourself. Don’t put it off until later.
- Learn to cook, and cook.
- Make a weekly (healthy) menu, and shop for only the items you need.
- Consider buying and cooking food in bulk. If you make a large portion of something on Sunday, you can eat leftovers several times during the week without spending more time cooking.
- Stay out of other people’s drama. And don’t needlessly create your own.
- Buy things with cash.
- Maintain your car, home, and other personal belongings you rely on.
- Smile often, even to complete strangers.
- If you hate doing it, stop it.
- Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother.
- Apologize when you should.
- Write things down.
- Be curious. Don’t be scared to learn something new.
- Explore new ideas and opportunities often.
- Don’t be shy. Network with people. Meet new people.
- Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you.
- Spend time with nice people who are smart, driven, and likeminded.
- Don’t text and drive. Don’t drink and drive.
- Drink water when you’re thirsty.
- Don’t eat when you’re bored. Eat when you’re hungry.
- Exercise every day. Simply take a long, relaxing walk or commit 30 minutes to an at-home exercise program like the P90X workout
.
- Let go of things you can’t change. Concentrate on things you can.
- Find hard work you actually enjoy doing.
- Realize that the harder you work, the luckier you will become.
- Follow your heart. Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.
- Set priorities for yourself and act accordingly.
- Take it slow and add up all your small victories.
- However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. Accept this simple fact.
- Excel at what you do. Otherwise you’ll just frustrate yourself.
- Mature, but don’t grow up too fast.
- Realize that you’re never quite as right as you think you are.
- Build something or do something that makes you proud.
- Make mistakes, learn from them, laugh about them, and move along.
Oh, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. They’re free and better than anything money can buy. 
Photo by: Luis Fabres
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128 Comments
November 1st, 2010 at 12:28 am
Isn’t it amazing that as we grow older, and supposedly wiser, how much we complicate our thought lives.
Much of what you’ve stated above is about what we perceive people and things to be.
When we were young our little voice was untainted by the mistrust and deceit in the world. Our thoughts were simple and our lives were ones of seeking fun, laughter and enjoyment. We still seek these things but our thoughts are filled with suspicion about life and people.
Roll on the simple life and our youthful thoughts as well.
November 1st, 2010 at 1:30 am
Pay attention to the life in and around you, don’t just hurry through to the next thing. (It’s way harder than it sounds).
November 1st, 2010 at 1:58 am
Love the way you write everything.
Thanks a lot!
November 1st, 2010 at 2:01 am
Such a great post - I just happened upon you through the twitterverse… Funny how that happens! I love #44 - I just spent several hours with old and new friends, grown up professional smart women and was reminded what how important that is. Life gets sooooo busy, and for me, I forget to take time in sharing with people, building something, and celebrating the small victories. Thanks so much for the reminder. Bookmarked and RSS’d!
November 1st, 2010 at 2:03 am
PS - Am I missing the share button? I’d love to share this easily on FB/TW… Thanks again!
November 1st, 2010 at 3:34 am
i definately love no. 60 life is easier when we can laugh and move on
great read
November 1st, 2010 at 4:36 am
Thank you for sharing, very inspiring.
November 1st, 2010 at 8:45 am
Some of the points were really thought provoking
November 1st, 2010 at 10:13 am
If your Mom or Grandma didn’t teach you to cook, you’re unfortunately left to recipe books and celebrity chefs on TV.
The problem is neither of these actually teach you HOW to cook.
The Food Network is the MTV of Food. MTV used to play music, now they’re entertainment ABOUT music. The Food Network is entertainment ABOUT food, they don’t teach anyone to cook.
Neither will you learn how to cook from a book. Written recipes won’t teach you to cook any more than having sheet music will teach you to play piano. There are too many variables in recipes that always lead to frustration.
The best way to free yourself from recipes and cook like a chef at home is to examine the basic cooking methods. When you learn HOW to saute, broil, grill, roast, then you can create your own recipes from what you have on hand.
Knowing HOW to cook anything is a skill that will save you time, money at the grocery store, improve your health, reunite your family over dinner, eat a greater variety of foods, and have this skill for the rest of your life.
Chef Todd Mohr
WebCookingClasses.com
November 1st, 2010 at 11:36 am
Thanks for the tips. It’s funny that we unnecessarily complicate our lives as we get older sometimes.
Tip #61: Spend the majority of your time on something you are passionate about. See if there are any ways to outsource or delegate the other stuff.
November 1st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Hi Mark I hope everything is going well for you, Good list.
I think something I had to really learn from was paying my bills on time… lord knows I’ve learned from that lesson the most :/
November 2nd, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Thank you for this awesome post.
I’ve been a fan of your blog for a long time and you’ve always put out quality materials. This one really helped me change my perspective.
Thanks for all your hard work.
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I’m not sure if these 60 things will help make my life simple. After all, trying to remember 60 things isn’t that simple. However, they are great guidelines for life.
They seem like common sense things but it’s surprising how many are ignored by the masses.
November 2nd, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Hi Marc,
What a nice list. We really should pay attention in life to everything around us and be in gratitude and help others. Thanks for sharing
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:57 am
Hi, these truly are awesome and simple principles we all should follow to help us lead a happy life.
Thanks so much.
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:58 am
I love this. I so needed this today. I am a single mom who has to work two jobs so I can pay bills and feed my son. I have been feeling like life is so complicated lately.
Thank you for some very simple advice that will definitely make my life a little brighter. Thank you for sharing.
- Raquel
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:58 am
I keep this near my workspace at all times:
Whatever the tasks, do them slowly with ease,
in mindfulness. Don’t do any tasks in order to
get them over with. Resolve to do each job in
a relaxed way, with all your attention.
Thich Nhat Hanh
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Addendum:
#62: Forgive.
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:42 pm
How to make life simple again in 60 list items and ten paragraphs. Bravo.
November 4th, 2010 at 5:08 am
i like them all but especially number 57 , makes a lot of sense:)
November 5th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Excellent list! Such common sense, but so many of these items get lost in the day to day chaos of life.
I’m printing your list and will hang it on my vision board in my closet. Each day I’m going to focus on implementing one item from the list. I’ll probably share my experience on my blog.
November 5th, 2010 at 10:02 am
I love these tips. Am currently working on # 9. Thank you for sharing!
November 5th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
If you hate it then stop doing it. Simple , profound and too the point.
November 6th, 2010 at 8:51 am
“If you hate it then stop doing it.”
As much as I enjoy reading peoples’ ’sort your life out’ lists (I think the Suncream song sorted this a while ago but still, good to share) this one in particular is one of the very things that’s wrong with our culture; Firstly the word ‘hate’ is being dumbed down here, not necessarily by the author, who may well have been thinking of things they really genuinely ‘hate’ to do, but the average reader will take it in it’s more abused and lighter/less meaningful form…ie things they don’t particularly enjoy doing.
This attitude is endemic in ‘Western’ cultures and generally creates license for avoidance of things not perceived as enjoyable.
It’s typical, “man if you don’t like doing it then stop” ! That’s insane…do you think anyone ever liked working in factories? do you think anyone ever liked cleaning a toilet or the sewers or ever liked working down a mine every day?
This ‘wise’ bit of advice is tantamount to recommending we all just do as we please because our individual well-being is so bl**dy important! Craziness - we are all important and without being healthy and functional the ‘whole’ couldn’t function…but nothing was ever achieved by giving up when it became boring or hard (”waaa I hate doing homework”…”well son, you know what they say ‘If you hate it then stop doing it.’ “) would have shafted every hardworking person on the planet in any discipline who ever took any time to learn a skill!
Think before you write. We all affect each other no matter what our intentions were originally…I don’t think Oppenheimer started out with bad intentions…not everyone sees things the same way.
Oh yeh and agree with previous poster…60….SIXTY things in a list to simplify life…how about one…
Chill.
November 6th, 2010 at 11:06 am
@WillSim
I will respond to your rant by quoting Steve Jobs:
“When I was 17 I read a quote that went something like ‘If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.’ It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been “no” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important thing I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life, because almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. “
Bottom line:
So many people spend the majority of their lives hating what they do for a living - hating how they spend 9 hours every single day.
Yes, you should work hard in life, but you should work hard on something that brings meaning into your life.
November 6th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Marc
I fully agree with your post, or rather Steve Jobs’ post. It’s hardly a new sentiment/way of thinking.
It doesn’t however address directly what I’m saying.
The choice of words, ‘hate’ in particular, is just a bit misleading and given the sloganised way it’s wrapped up will inevitably be taken with too little thought/reflection and get used as an out.
I totally believe in living every day as if it were my last but also have to employ a little risk taking optimism and setup longer-term focus from time to time otherwise most days would probably end up being mostly for self-satisfaction or madly rushing about trying to keep my house in order ready for those I leave behind!
Okay I’m being deliberately trite but I get you.
Something not often present in our society is the ability for people to push past boredom or distaste and consequently find themselves always moving away from what they have in order to try and attain something else - hence getting into some perpetual quest for …er happiness, love….fck knows anything really…
take an unsatisfactory relationship for example - some people don’t examine their motives particularly deeply and just feel constantly like it’s not right for them so they ditch and move on. Now I’m sure there are many relationships where the reason for unhappiness/discontentment is very real, but for some it’s just factors like their fear of commitment, their perceived belief that the single life has more to offer etc in these cases this would be terrible advice…’give up’ ‘leave her/him’ ‘get away from it because it makes you unhappy’ when really they just haven’t ever been taught patience and reflection - like sitting on the same spot for a long time - gets uncomfortable after a while, you move and it’s good, soon you become uncomfortable again, you move and it’s good…and so on and so forth - what might happen if you just accept that sitting for a long time has it’s discomforts as well as it’s comforts, they’re both a part of the whole.
Hate/Love both a part of the whole - to try to move away from one constantly because you have a preference for the other is futile and will surely result in frustration or more avoidant behaviours…
November 7th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Thanks for this post. We’ve found that more stuff, more activities, etc., while acquired/desired to bring greater happiness, do just the opposite. You offer a lot of practical advice in this list. Thanks!
November 7th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Life still easy
Great list, loved it. thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks for sharing!
November 7th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
I really like the one ‘Your health is your life, keep up with it.’ I recently injured my back pretty severely and your health becomes extremely important when you’re in pain and you can think of nothing else.
It’s completely changed the way I live my life. Great Post.
November 8th, 2010 at 10:17 am
I especially appreciate: “Exercise every day. Simply take a long, relaxing walk.” My dad had a heart attack last December. I hadn’t been taking care of myself, and his heart attack was really a wake up call. I’ve since lost 65 lbs, and started exercising. It’s amazing the difference it can make in your life on so many different levels. Thanks for this blog post.
November 8th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Great list and reminder. I am working on a free ebook of a similar theme.
It really is true that less is more. Less consumption of everything leads to more time for enriching relationships with people we care about and self-development.
November 8th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Wow! Thank you so much for this great post. First I thought this is pretty complete and simple, then I realized I could add 2 cents! Go tent camping a few times a year and be in nature as often as possible
Namaste, Monique DiCarlo
November 8th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
An awesome list! If all people could just realize we have so complicated our lives! We must step back and redefine the important things!
Bernice
http://livingthebalancedlife.com/2010/the-minimalist-lifestyle/
November 9th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
This is great, i love it!
Especially “Follow your heart. Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.”
I think its time to make a break! Thanks for the inspiration!
November 10th, 2010 at 7:03 am
thanks for this great list. It´s a real reminder of what life is really all about
November 10th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
And here I was drinking gasoline when I got thirsty.
Great list!
November 10th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
These three tips are the very best from the list as things to take first before the rest; 46, 47, & 48. It can energizes physical body in producing positive thinking which is imperative reaching towards “A Beautiful Mind”.
Thanks for publishing this article. Hope tomorrow life will be much better than today…..everyday.
November 11th, 2010 at 2:40 am
“60 Ways To Make Life Simple Again”. Maybe life would be a little simpler if the list was smaller!
Just kidding. This is a really great list.
November 11th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Excellent post - great list. I especially like the tip where you treat people with respect like your grandfather and patience like your baby brother. Nice touch.
November 11th, 2010 at 9:50 am
There is one term to cover everything you have said.
(common sense) This is a mental attitude which will
keep you in touch with higher mind and which will
provide moment by moment guidance, freeing you from having to seek out outer advice. another name
for it is (free agency). In other words, learn to think for yourself. By this, I have conducted my whole life
and it has protected me from all outer influences.
Heavenly Father/Mother has been a great parent,
and has equipped us well but too many of us do
not know it but thank God (I DO). Doug
November 11th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
@Jeff - great comment.
Marc - brilliant list; I would like to think that I could have written it myself. Thanks for organizing all these points so lucidly. And, thanks for the follow-up Steve Jobs quote — great insight.
November 11th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
The reason we do not perceive things as we once did, is not because we got older. It is because the powers that be on the planet have engineered our lives to be this way. Research.
November 13th, 2010 at 12:03 am
Lovely post
November 13th, 2010 at 9:44 am
This blog makes me smile. Keep doing what you’re doing. The world appreciates you for it.
November 16th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Great tips for simple living! That is what I am looking for and what many are looking for. Keep the creative juice flowing - will recommend your site to anyone looking for a better deal in this dog-eat-dog world! Great blog…
November 18th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Awesome read. Shared.
November 19th, 2010 at 5:27 am
I got a nice read. Very inspiring. But I guess there’s a way to make these tips shorter. 60 is quite a list.
November 19th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
eating, praying and loving. three essentials to make life as easier as possible.
November 19th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
What a list, what a resource. Begs the question Marc, if you could make one law or make one thing compulsory for everyone do to improve life what would it be?
November 21st, 2010 at 1:11 am
just want you to know that i reposted this article in my FB notes to inspire others
dont worry i included a link to this page and noted you as the writer.. keep inspiring others!! i love people like you!!
November 21st, 2010 at 3:09 am
I liked these tips so much. Thanks a lot and I will follow all of it
I want to grow up in a planned manner
November 26th, 2010 at 2:38 am
Hi, I really enjoyed your article, it really makes you think about what is important in life. Take care:)
Kelly
November 26th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Thanks!
Very nice posting.
Keep it up!
Jhone
December 2nd, 2010 at 6:37 am
Thanks, just what I needed! It is so easy to loose sight of the obvious things in life…
December 2nd, 2010 at 9:57 am
Excellent little gems.
Good for everyone!
December 4th, 2010 at 11:58 am
I’ve always found that if I don’t hold on to the things that have hurt me, and I just push them aside, it makes my life a lot easier. Only trouble is that no one else can seem to do that…So i always end up forgiving everyone and never getting forgiven for anything I’ve done…
December 5th, 2010 at 1:19 am
This was great but it is ironic to me and seems complicated to think about 60 ways to make life simpler ha. Good suggestions though!
December 11th, 2010 at 9:59 am
That’s what I need! A couple of months ago I fell in love with a boy, but I cannot stay with him. I start to worry and feel that I’m losing myself. But now I know I’m worried too much and I got my own life to go, I got my goal to achieve. Yes, life is simple, and my life is not all about him, it’s about myself. Just let it go and everything is still continue. I’ll live the way I like, make my world simple and still be true to myself!
December 12th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Really like Marc and Angel Hack Life’s ways of life.
Adding two more would not be easy
but would make it perfect.
Avoid killing no matter how small it is and
avoid telling lies no matter what.
December 19th, 2010 at 11:46 am
35. Smile often, even to complete strangers.
Cannot agree more. If you can make a habit of doing this, everything in your life will be easier. And you will feel better.
Even when I am completely aware of this, I still have trouble doing it all the time.
Good list!
December 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Interesting read, thank you for sharing.
Carl Marshall
January 9th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Awesome, thanks for sharing this list on simplicity. Also, when/if driving, don’t rush/speed to get to a red light. Let the people behind you pass, you’ll catch up to them at the light and it’s much safer for everyone that way.
January 11th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Possible outline to a book? 60 rules of happiness
January 16th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Thank you so much!
January 18th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Great read. My friend posted the link to this and I’m glad I checked it out. I felt very refreshed and inspired after this. Will save this. Thanks a lot. Hope you continue putting up great posts for years to come. Take care! Sending lots of good thoughts your way. =)
January 21st, 2011 at 11:22 am
Thanks for a great reminder. My biggest step this year is realizing that goes along with #59 is to make stuff. Anything, cooking, crafting, art, a healthier me, writing, just as long as I’m making things I find life to fall more into line with all the items you posted. Great post!
January 23rd, 2011 at 1:39 am
great reminder
January 23rd, 2011 at 5:06 pm
This is really something that everyone must read… very koool stuff..
February 2nd, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Was a great reminder for me on a number of levels.
This is a similar post I wrote a while ago called “15 Words of Wisdom I Know Well But Always Seem to Forget”:
http://www.jasoncarr.com/uncategorized/15-words-of-wisdom-i-know-well-but-always-seem-to-forget
February 2nd, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Amazing, just simply amazing. I like how you wrote everything simple, just like it’s been said if you can’t describe something simple, then you don’t know it (don’t think thats the exact way but, you get the jist) As a 16 year old boy, and going through problems and pain like everyone else, life was knocking at my door yelling and screaming at me to grow up and mature, had no choice but I am realizing now that life is simple, the only thing that changes over time is our hair color, body weight, and wrinkles on our skin. I try and tell people life is simple and that letting go is easier then a lot of them think, but sadly they have had the thought life is all pain and rain and there is nothing we can do about it. Keep doing what you do man, thumbs up.
February 5th, 2011 at 2:44 am
Excellent list! Everything that’s being said in the list a great way to live life as simple as it is. It gives you focus and motivation to achieve your goals. Great post! I appreciate it a lot.
Thanks!
February 8th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
just happened to stumble upon this. Truly inspired and very needed words. THANK YOU
February 10th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Wow! This is simply great!
February 17th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
I love this definitely going to share sometimes i would like to say the same thing to people but i can never find the right words..fortunately you have
ur really helpful and i wish the whole world could read this
February 18th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Thanks to my brother for forwarding your post to me. And THANK YOU for writing it. Very thought provoking! I will definately will forward to my loved ones.
For those wanting a smaller list here’s mine:
Fear Nothing . . .
Respect Everything . . .
You Can Do Anything!
February 20th, 2011 at 2:33 am
I was going to list the ones I like, but the list got too long. I appreciate how easy it can be to make life simple.
Lynn
http://www.writeradvice.com
Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers
February 21st, 2011 at 5:03 pm
I love this list so much that I’m going to challenge myself: sixty days of simple. A new one every day. Thank you so much for this.
February 21st, 2011 at 6:12 pm
All very good tips, but none of them make much of a dent on me unless I meditate first. Daily.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:37 am
Thank you. I really needed to see this. Funny how that happens!
February 26th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple,
and the simple thing is the right thing.
- Oscar Wilde
I like this
and great list..
March 1st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Great list, really enjoyed reading through them all, especially liked “Single-task. Do one thing at a time and give it all you got”. This is very timely for me at the moment. Thanks for sharing. Phil
March 4th, 2011 at 5:15 am
Guys, we should all rewrite our lives according to these suggestions… thanks.
March 4th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
What a beautiful list and a helpful reminder! I found myself resonating with more than a few. Some of these resonated more than others, but I suspect that will change from day to day.
Thank you for sharing!
Shanti!
Rachel
March 8th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I like “take it slow and add up all your small victories”. Says to not try and do it all at once. Peace.
March 14th, 2011 at 8:33 am
your article truly relieves me.yes i think life could be as simple as that, but for everything we heard, saw and felt in our life time they really successfully contaminated our brain. and that wrong mind should be treated well. i feel my life’s getting complicated lately bcause of relationship matter, but i think i’ll try to do some of your tips.
March 17th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
I love the idea of living simply. Every time I try to complicate things, I remind myself it’ll take twice the time to undo the damage than just avoid it altogether. Keeps me sane! Thanks for reminding me of so many ways to keep what’s important in sight.
March 18th, 2011 at 9:28 am
I like to smile often even to complete strangers and all your steps has truly inspire me. Thank you.
March 18th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Very inspiring! I love it!
March 25th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Great list. It was hard to pick my favorite items, but these resonated with me:
35 - Smile often, even to complete strangers.
36 - If you hate doing it, stop it.
48 - Exercise every day.
49 - Let go of things you can’t change. Concentrate on things you can.
50 - Find hard work you actually enjoy doing.
51 - Realize that the harder you work, the luckier you will become.
52 - Follow your heart. Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.
March 27th, 2011 at 4:35 am
I usually shy away from lists this long, but this one is actually pretty good! Thanks!
March 29th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Excellent post! I like the addition to learn to cook - and cook! I get lazy sometimes…
April 4th, 2011 at 4:22 am
Awesome post!! Thanks for the hard work.
Indeed, life isn’t that complex, but we human make it complex and complicated.
Live life a little bit simple, and we’ll able to enjoy life better.
April 24th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
AWESOME Awesome post… thanks for sharing it… it actually helped me solve a pretty big problem in my life.
April 27th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
I love this blog and especially this post. You cant meet anyone’s expectations:
Once I showed the ocean to my friend who’d never seen the ocean before. We drove up the hill and stopped at the cliff. And he said: This is it? I was expecting it to be bigger. Even the great ocean could meet my mate’s expectation.
So why should you?
Keep on inspiring me with your blog. cheers, carsten
April 29th, 2011 at 3:30 am
I’m a little surprised about buy foods in bulk. That eliminates the fresh food. If you can and live close to a market, embrace daily shopping (or every second day). It’s a nice break (when there is time) to do some productive shopping and it gives you a real connections to the changing prices, seasons and opens your eyes a lot more to what is out there to eat. Love the post…
May 4th, 2011 at 1:06 am
so inspiring….nice job guys! keep it up and continue inspiring yer readers!
May 13th, 2011 at 8:17 am
Really inspiring.
May 27th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Truly thought provoking. Loved #54 ‘Take it slow and add up all your small victories’ - Too often I find myself waiting for the next big victory and forgetting about all the small ones during my days!
June 5th, 2011 at 10:07 am
Great list!
I found quite a few things on your list that I can relate to. I will use this advice to simplify my life.
Thanks.
June 22nd, 2011 at 11:21 am
Wow, that was a surprisingly inspiring list. Thank you.
July 24th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Marc, I really like your posts (this one especially). I always walk away with a couple of ideas to carry me through my day. Thank you.
August 26th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
one thing to make your life simpler: be kind to everyone and everything. including and especially yourself.
September 1st, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Loved this article. Very practical. I have shared it with friends on Facebook too.
September 4th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Thanks so much. This is something I really needed to read.
September 7th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
This is a wonderful project you have here.
Thank you for sharing your uplifting thoughts with me.
Peace and love,
Henry
September 9th, 2011 at 12:49 am
I’ve enjoyed reading your post. As a life coach, I help people get what they want out of life and you’d be surprised at how simple some of things people really want. It’s because people have really made their lives so complex these days. With all the technology and advancements around us, it’s difficult to go back to the basics. You’ve done a great job describing them here. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out right here…
September 9th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Wow great advice. I write from the heart too but nothing published as of now. This was much needed and reminds me of someone I love very much. Although I cannot change him I can most definatly practice this and rub off on him too. Love him enough to set a great example
September 19th, 2011 at 8:22 am
wow!
This article is fantastic. I intend to use many of these to simplify my life.
Many thanks.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:04 am
Great post, definitely in line with the lessons I like to share with my readers.
September 21st, 2011 at 3:57 pm
I started reading from the bottom up. Great advice. Are you familiar with the 4 Temperments? Peaceful Phlagmatics are one of them and they don’t have any problem at all abiding by these rules for life. They do these things naturally.
September 28th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
#32 Staying out of other people’s drama is an incredibly effective way to simplify and reduce stress. It doesn’t mean that you don’t care or help others. It does mean that you do not have to mimic their stress and emotional state.
October 7th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
How true it is as one grows older, life seems to get more complicated, a lot of it due to our own doings. I think we can still be the same person when we are young, without the additional trappings that we catch on as we progress further in life.
October 9th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
We are our own ultimate weapons of destruction. So true, and so sad.
I think I’ll take this article to heart, and start living simply and happily
October 21st, 2011 at 3:02 pm
I SO love this post! Trying to simplify my life daily. Great list!
November 8th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Thank you for this great post. Lots of things to keep in mind. Love number 5 as sleep is more important than most of us give it credit for. Sleep alone can help eliminate stress your life and keep you going!
November 9th, 2011 at 5:55 am
I got this post from Stumbleupon and give thumbs up after read it.
Cheerss!!
November 10th, 2011 at 1:14 am
I copied 50 of these (10 i feel I already did) onto several pieces of paper and have taped them in my room. Every morning I wake up and read them. i can honestly say my life has become both easier and more fulfilling.
November 16th, 2011 at 3:02 am
We could all use a little more simplicity in our lives. Thanks!
November 27th, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Amazing! Could you maybe get these printed on some professional posters? I would certainly buy one!
December 16th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Sincere thanks for telling things as they truly are, no frills attached. I agree with you on many things. It is time to stop the madness and once again connect with ourselves and each other as “human beings” not just human doings.
Simplicity is such a beautiful and liberating word, it would be fab if more people would stop the madness; and reclaim joyful living that is chaos free and light-hearted. Imagine what life would be if we eased up on the emotional baggage and psychological mind-wars we are all faced with on a daily basis. keep up the inspirational work, it has truly been a blessing reading this post.
Egypt
January 23rd, 2012 at 4:37 am
Great ideas! Inspiring! Thanks…
January 30th, 2012 at 9:12 am
Nice to see so much wisdom in one place… thanks.
February 19th, 2012 at 9:21 am
What an AMAZING article and inspiring thoughts!
Many thanks
March 20th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Many of the numbered points remind me of the strategies in the book I am reading for the second time “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… and it’s all small stuff.” by Richard Carlson, Ph. D. I enjoyed reading this article, thank you for writing and posting!
April 6th, 2012 at 8:41 am
If I had read this blog 50 years ago I would have saved myself a lot of heart ache and pain. I need to print this out, have it framed and hang it on the wall for others to see. Thank you so much for a great write.
April 30th, 2012 at 11:39 am
Very important and helpful information. It should be printed out and put on the refrigerator.
May 1st, 2012 at 5:20 pm
A great post!
Every day I have been thinking a little more like this, I would like to add one more simple suggestion which makes life much easier which I learned recently.
Do not try to make people’s decisions for them. It’s tough to watch someone make choices you believe are the wrong ones, but they have to grow and learn too.
Thanks!
May 8th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
I agree with the idea of over-emphasizing the positive of the outcomes of the past. We can do some revisionistic history and change the our own stories that way. Thanks for this.
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