31 Days of Simplicity Day 2: What is Simplicity?

I’m so glad you’re joining me on this journey of 31 Days of Simplicity!  But before we start, I want to clarify what I mean by Simplicity.  Yesterday I mentioned that I think some interpretations of the word turn many people off, and their extreme suggestions make people give up before they’ve even started.

I take a much simpler view of things.  In my world:

• Simplicity is NOT Anti-Consumerism.  Too many books I’ve read on “Simple Living” rail against capitalism, corporate greed, and environmental damage due to packaging and transporting products.  They say we should only buy used items, and only what we need to exist.  Here’s my take: Corporations are not evil.  They employ millions of people and donate billions of dollars to charity every year.  Could they do better?  Of course.  But to me, simplicity is about making our lives easier.  That often involves living with less.  It also involves buying items that save us time and make our lives more convenient.  It’s a balancing act.
• Simplicity is NOT Minimalism.  It’s not about having only 2 pairs of pants and 3 shirts (though there is a fascinating movement called Project 333, if you’re willing to give it a shot).  The more you embrace simplicity, the more you’ll likely go on a journey toward minimalism.  After all, the fewer articles of clothing you own, the less you’ll stare into your closet each morning.  The fewer knick-knacks you own, the easier it is to clean.  You get the point.  But there will be areas where you’ll happily downsize, and areas where you won’t.  That’s OK.
• Simplicity is NOT Green Living.  Being “green” is important, and we should all look for less toxic ways to live – when and where we can.  But let’s face it: some green solutions complicate life rather than simplify it.  Driving 30 minutes to an organic Farmer’s Market that’s only open for 3 hours one Saturday a month may be a good, healthy decision.  But it does not simplify your life.  If it’s important to you, then great.  By all means, do it.  You’re sure to find some environmentally-friendly solutions on your quest to simplify your life (Like I’ll explain on Day 25: Declutter Your Cleaning).  But the overall goal of Simplicity, in my opinion, is not green living; it’s making your life easier.  Decreasing stress.   Saving you time and energy in the mundane areas so you can focus on the more important things in your life, like your loved ones.
• Simplicity is NOT thriftiness.  Again, you’ll find that simplifying your life saves you money.  But sometimes it’s worth paying a little more for something that saves you time and makes your life easier.  See my post on Day 8: Baby Carrots, and Day 12: Pick Your Savings Battles.
• Simplicity is NOT about pressure and guilt.  No one can tell you how to live your life.  Simplicity is not a moral issue.  It’s a practical one.  Our lives are more hectic than ever, and we need to find ways to slow down, find easy solutions, and uncomplicated things.  And that’s a very personal decision.  One person may find making their own laundry soap simplifies their life; another may find it too much hassle.  I’m not going to judge you.  I’m merely going to show you ways I’ve simplified my life.  You get to chose whether something is a good idea for you or not.

With those “Nots” in mind, here’s a quick recap about what Simplicity is:

• Simplicity IS about contentment.  When we’re content with who we are and what we have, we can stop the never-ending quest for “More.”  Simplicity is realizing that our possessions, our schedules, and our accomplishments don’t give us value.  It’s knowing  that we have enough, we do enough, and we ARE enough.  (See how Self-Esteem and Simplicity go hand in hand?)
• Simplicity IS having an abundance mentality.  There is no need to hoard for the “Somedays” or the “What Ifs” of life.  We will have (or be able to get) what we need when we need it.  Because the universe is an abundant place, it’s OK to let go of things.
• Simplicity IS about decluttering.  There’s no getting around this one.  Life is not simple when teetering piles crowd every surface and you have to run an obstacle course on the way to the bathroom.  Clutter robs us of peace and contentment, no matter how “organized” it is.
• Simplicity IS about things that make our lives easier.  Things that decrease stress.  Things that save us time and effort.  It’s about automation – establishing routines so we don’t have to think about the mundane tasks of life.  We can save our brain power for more important things.
• Simplicity IS about choosing your battles.  We can’t do it all; we have to determine our priorities.  What simplifies one person’s life may complicate yours.  Simplicity is customizable for your lifestyle.

So, are you ready to simplify your life?  Join me tomorrow and we’ll dive right in and get started!

In the meantime, leave a comment and let me know what you think of Simplicity.  Have you been turned off by “traditional” definitions of the word?  Have you been embracing Simplicity, or is it a new practice for you?

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