When things aren’t adding up in your life, begin subtracting. Life gets a lot simpler when you clear the clutter that makes it complicated.
It’s time to focus on what matters, and let go of what does not.
For almost a decade now, Marc and I have been learning to do just that—live a simpler life.
Not simpler as in “meager.” Simpler as in “meaningful.”
We’ve been working on eliminating many of life’s complexities so we’re able to spend more time with people we love and do more activities we love. This means we’ve been gradually getting rid of mental and physical clutter, and eliminating all but the essential, so we’re left with only that which gives us value.
Our overarching goal is living a life uncluttered by most of the things people fill their lives with, leaving us with space for what truly matters. A life that isn’t constant busyness, rushing and stress, but instead contemplation, creation and connection with people and projects we love.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we have zero clutter and complications. We’re human and living in the real world with everyone else. We have a home, possessions, computers, gadgets, distractions and occasional busyness. But we have reduced it to make space.
Today, after finishing up a call with a new course student who’s working diligently to simplify various aspects of her life and business, I’ve been reflecting on this simpler life Marc and I have created for ourselves, and I thought I’d share some of these reflections with you.
Some lessons I’ve learned about living a simpler life:
- A simpler life is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful. Thus, you are wealthy in proportion to the number of unnecessary things you can afford to live without.
- Simplifying is not merely seeing how little you can get by with, but how efficiently you can put first things first, and use your time accordingly to pursue the things that make a difference and mean the most to you.
- Besides the art of getting things done, there is the often-forgotten art of leaving things undone. The simplicity and efficiency of life relies heavily on the elimination of non-essentials.
- Overcommitting is the biggest mistake most people make against living a simpler life. It’s tempting to fill in every waking minute of the day with to-do list tasks or distractions. Don’t do this to yourself. Leave space.
- Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. There are so many activities that sound fun and exciting. We check Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat and see what others are doing and immediately want to add these things to our lives. But before you let these new ideas get the best of you, remember that by adding too many things to your life, you are subtracting space. And that space is vital to focusing on what matters most.
- Distractions are both more tempting and more damaging than we realize. When we fill our lives with distractions, its often because we’re scared of what life might be like without constant social media, TV, video games, snacks, chats, music, etc. Don’t numb yourself with noise. Don’t let distractions hold you back. Control your distractions before your distractions control you.
- You can’t live a simpler life if you’re unwilling to change and let go of what you’re used to.
- Priorities don’t get done automatically. You have to make time for what’s important to you: time with your significant other, time with your kids, time for creating, time for learning, time for exercise, etc. Push everything else aside to make time. By saying no to more things that sound really exciting, you get to say yes to more of what’s truly important.
- Rising earlier helps. A quiet, unrushed morning routine is a gift to treasure. (I awake early so that I have quiet time to read, write, and practice a gratitude meditation.)
- Letting go of old routines and habits and building new ones can be hard, but it’s easier if you do a 30-day challenge. Let go of something for 30 days and see how it affects your life. (Letting go of cable TV was one of the best decisions Marc and I made a few years back—no more continuous, distracting noise in our home, and no more advertisements for stuff we don’t need.)
- Buying more stuff doesn’t solve our problems. Neither does more snack food or another TV program.
- Shopping isn’t a hobby, and it certainly isn’t therapy. It’s a waste of time and money, and inevitably leads to a cluttered life.
- When we travel lightly, we’re freer, less burdened, and less stressed. This applies to traveling through life too, not just traveling through an airport.
- It’s not how many, or how few, things we own that matters. It’s whether we make those things count. Thus, it’s better to have three good books on your bookshelf that you’re actually going to read rather than 300 you never get around to.
- Decluttering your physical space can lead to a less cluttered mental space. These visual distractions pull on us and distract us in more ways than we often realize. (Read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.)
- Overthinking is one of the most rampant sources of stress and mental clutter. The key is to realize that the problem is not the problem. The problem is the incredible amount of overthinking you’re doing with the problem. Let it go and be free.
- Positivity always pays off in simplifying outcomes. So before you waste it on anger, resentment, spite or envy, think of how precious and irreplaceable your time is.
- Stay out of other people’s drama. And don’t needlessly create your own.
- A simpler, more positive mindset can be created anytime and anyplace with a change in thinking. Because frustration and stress come from the way you react, not the way things are. Adjust your attitude, and the frustration and stress evaporates.
- The simplest secret to happiness and peace in the present is letting every circumstance be what it is, instead of what you think it should be, and making the best of it.
- Gratitude always makes life easier to deal with. Because happiness comes easier when you stop complaining about your problems and you start being grateful for all the problems you don’t have.
- Make mistakes, learn from them, laugh about them, and move along. Waste not a minute on outcomes you can’t control.
- There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally. (Marc and I discuss this in detail in the “Self-Love” chapter of the NEW edition of 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
- The truth—your truth—is always the simplest path forward. If you listen closely to your intuition you will always know what is best for you, because what is best for you is what is true for you.
- The feeling you get from doing something important (and true) is far better and less stressful than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were doing it.
Afterthoughts
For the cynics out there who might say the list of lessons above is too long to be “simpler,” there are really only two steps to simplifying:
- Identify what’s most important to you.
- Eliminate as much as you possibly can of everything else.
Of course, that advice is not exceptionally useful unless you understand how to apply it to various areas of your life… which is why I gave you the lessons above.
And now, it’s your turn…
Please leave Marc and me a comment below and let us know what you think of this post. Your feedback is important to us. ?
(Finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.)
Amanda Evans says
Great ideas. I resonate most with #20 on being more present and accepting of each moment. Too often we overlook the fact that the core meaning of life is just to be fully aware and engaged in the present moment. It’s so simple and so obvious. There’s nothing hard about it. And yet, so many of us perpetually rush around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond ourselves in another time and place, every single second.
BTW, I’m loving your new book. It provides a needed dose of motivation whenever I pick it up and read a page or two.
Jo Dumire says
I can see why the quote ‘ The less the better ‘ so to speak
The mind was naturally more focused, less wandering. Truth is ‘ Out of sight out of mind Works! ‘
Maria says
Your posts and emails are just what I need to read…every single time I read one. You are snapping me back into reality after being in a very long, depressing and overly complicated rut in my life. Whenever I need a dosage of your advice and motivation, or just a simple reminder to be happy, I can truly see more clearly. So with that being said, I sincerely thank you guys, and I’m also looking forward to the one-on-one coaching I have scheduled through your GBTH course next week.
Jose says
Your point #15 on reducing physical clutter is what I now live by. At least for me, this has been an extremely important step to improving my life and making it simpler and happier. Every 3 months I clean out my house, literally, and donate the clothes that I’ve used less then 2 times during the previous period to a charity nearby. Other belongings that I haven’t used, that feels like a excess, I sell.
I could fit all of my belongings (except furniture) in the trunk of a full-size sedan without problems, and it’s not about being able to move without hassle, but more about the knowing that I own only what I need, and nothing more.
It’s not easy, I’ve been “working” at this (and almost all other points presented in this article) for about 10 years now. Would I do it differently if I had the chance? Never. Excess is a problem, at least as long as poverty exists for other human beings.
Thank you as always for emailing this article to me. Your words always strike a chord with me.
Joan says
Growing up with little and then later in life losing everything in a house fire led me to save everything useful. “might come in handy someday”. I am also quite creative and often make things over and reuse, recycle etc. It is difficult to let go of ‘stuff’ when I can see potential in everything. My husband is a pack rat too! Working on a reality check and asking myself will I really make or use that stuff. Starting to let go of the things I am not emotionally attached to.
Fatuma Juma says
Thank you for your articles which have had great impact to my life. Your words…. They managed to shine light in my life. I feel relieved from unnecessary stress and pressure I did put myself into all my life. I never knew how happiness is just within my reach. Thanks you so much. Keep up the good work. You touch many lives!
Diana Rodgers says
I love reading your posts. They always give me a great pick-me-up! Keep up the great work.
Thank you!
Diana
Nicole says
Needed this post, today. We have simplified to the extreme as we sold our house and move fromDC to Puerto Rico with our family of 5 this summer. I have a few business opportunities I was on the fence about taking. There are still loose ends to tie up before we move. Thanks for the reminder to leave open space. Especially during a transition, I know I’ll need time to process this big change. I always appreciate your posts.
Shruthi says
you just made my day…i was going through a lot of pain, and this has been amazing.
Jane Hill says
Yes! Great necessary steps to a Happy Life.
Rather than getting involved in DRAMA of others
You will have time to Research Ideas , Read a great book &
Simply be @ peace.
Time to be truly Happy.
I watch very little TV…That gives me time to Read.
Be very careful w/ time.
Time is life slipping away.
Sharon O'Banion says
“Simpler life:
Not simpler as in “meager.” Simpler as in “meaningful.””
“Identify what’s most important to you.
Eliminate as much as you possibly can of everything else.”
Those words are totally profound. And the 25 way to apply the concept are soo valuable. Thank you so much!!
Jacqueline says
Definitely agree with over thinking, its robbed me of so much peace, ruminating and going over the past, its time to forgive, let go and move on.
thanks as always for the excellent advice lv Jacqueline xxxxx
Perla Milner says
Again and again I thank you both for making a difference to so many of us??Reading your posts wake us up to reality and remind us of the importance of “think different, live different”! Hoping I could meet you soon and be able to attend to your next seminar in Florida!
Amy Henne says
Shop at your own house first. I’ve been gifting those around me with lovely thinks I no longer need or never used in the first place. The right person always appears and the gift is a wonderful fit. Pleasing both of us.
Bruce Andrew says
Hi guys. Over the years I have had friends pass away and when their families sort out their household items inevitably the large skip bin appears and much of it gets tossed! It’s a timely reminder for me to add “junk clearing” to my “To Do” list for the next three months. Plus it would reduce the workload on the executors of my will – they will have a hard enough time giving away my hundreds of African Violets!
Judy says
That is called Swedish Death Cleaning …. makes a lot of sense?
Joanie says
I would like to know if you recommend a more detailed version of this article- more how-to’s. I love the idea of living a more simple life. I have often thought that my priorities do not fit my dreams and goals.
Pereowei says
I wake up everym orning to reading ur wonderful and inspirational messages Before getting up from bed..Todays message was spectacular,awesome and abit personal..I feel its talkin to me..It resonate with me in almost every way.cuz i find it really hard to declutter some of mh old ways and feelings…but after reading this,i have seen reasons to find peace and joy?..Thanks..Love you guys
Christopher says
I didn’t realize that I was carrying so much unnecessary stuff. Thanks a lot.
Giovanni says
those are the secrets for attracting wealth, happiness & success into your life . thanks
Rhona, Mumbai, India says
Thanks for this post. I like the points about overthinking, point 20, 21 and 23 in particular. Will be going through all the points again after a few days like a follow up/reminder. Thanks again.
Jay says
Information information.
We have to eliminate whatever that bugs us.
Thank you