{"id":2202,"date":"2020-09-29T02:00:05","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T02:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=2202"},"modified":"2020-09-29T02:00:05","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T02:00:05","slug":"how-to-simplify-your-life-in-a-complicated-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2020\/09\/how-to-simplify-your-life-in-a-complicated-world.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Simplify Your Life in a Complicated World"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"simplify\"<\/a>
Photo Courtesy of Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We live in a world that doesn\u2019t want us to live simply.\u00a0 Advertisers want us to buy stuff that we don\u2019t need.\u00a0 The Internet and the 24-hour news cycle want to overload us with information.\u00a0 Even at our jobs, employers continually change how we do our jobs in the name of \u201cprogress\u201d or \u201cefficiency.\u201d\u00a0 All of this unnecessary complication leaves many of us wanting to simplify our lives.<\/p>\n

Our challenge is this:\u00a0 How do we live simply in a world that thrives on complication?<\/p>\n

The good news is that living simply in today\u2019s world is possible.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to move to a hilltop with no electricity or running water in order to simplify your life.\u00a0 You just need to intentionally choose to make your life as uncomplicated as possible.<\/p>\n

Below are some ways to simplify your life.\u00a0 Try implementing them.\u00a0 You will find that with a simpler life, you will be more relaxed and at peace than you ever thought possible.<\/p>\n

To Simplify Your Life, Reduce Your Belongings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We all have too much stuff.\u00a0 Part of the problem is that retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target allow us to buy lots of stuff cheaply!\u00a0 And if there is an expensive item that you want, whether it be a blouse or a set of dishes, a sale will come along, and you likewise can buy that item for very little.\u00a0 So, these days, cost does not stop us from accumulating stuff.<\/p>\n

As a result, if you want to simplify your life, you have to decide to stop accumulating so much stuff.\u00a0 And then you probably need to get rid of about 50% of the stuff that you already have.\u00a0 Because I guarantee you that you currently have too much stuff.<\/p>\n

The best way to get rid of your unnecessary stuff is to group your belongings into three groups: Necessary\/Functional Items, Sentimental\/Loved Items, and Everything Else.\u00a0 The Everything Else pile needs to be given away or tossed in the garbage.<\/p>\n

Now, you can deceive yourself into thinking that, \u201cIf I just organize this abundance of stuff, I will have simplified my life.\u201d\u00a0 That won\u2019t happen.\u00a0 I\u2019ve tried that approach, and it doesn\u2019t work.\u00a0 You just end up having too much stuff in pretty boxes and piles.\u00a0\u00a0 The only way to truly simplify your belongings is to reduce<\/em> them.\u00a0 When you do, you will find that your house looks so much better, and you will feel a lot lighter.<\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Overcomplicate Your Free Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you want to simplify your life, keep your free time simple.\u00a0 Doing complicated, exhausting activities is no way to spend your free time.\u00a0 For example, part of my free time each day is devoted to working out.\u00a0 My rule for working out is that I will not drive anywhere to exercise.\u00a0 As soon as I have to drive somewhere, that has overcomplicated what should be a simple activity.<\/p>\n

So, I do yoga every day at home.\u00a0 I have an area set up to do my yoga routine which is quiet and serene (even the cat likes it!).\u00a0 Admittedly, a yoga studio would provide me with more variety than the single yoga video that I use.\u00a0 But that variety isn\u2019t worth giving up the simplicity of doing my yoga practice in the peace of my home.<\/p>\n

In fact, I like to keep things simple for all my free time activities.\u00a0 For instance, when my husband and I used to go out to dinner (pre-pandemic), we always picked restaurants close to home.\u00a0 Not only did we want to support local businesses, but we didn\u2019t want to overcomplicate our evening by traveling a long distance for dinner, when there are great restaurants in our area.\u00a0 Keeping our dining simple and close by made dinner out so much more relaxed and enjoyable.<\/p>\n

Simplify Your Online Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Technology consumes so much of our lives.\u00a0 Between emails, text messages, social media and Internet surfing, the Internet takes up a lot of our personal time.\u00a0 As a result, if you really want to simplify your life, it is important to simplify your online life.<\/p>\n

One important way to simplify your online life is to use only one form of social media.\u00a0 It really doesn\u2019t matter which one.\u00a0 You can choose to participate on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.\u00a0 But choosing to be on all three is too much.\u00a0 Social media adds a level of complexity to our daily lives which just isn\u2019t necessary.\u00a0 Frankly, you could choose not to participate in social media at all, and I promise you, your life will go on.\u00a0 So, if you want to live simply, keep your social media participation to a minimum.<\/p>\n

Reduce Your Internet Surfing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Similarly, you want to limit your Internet surfing.\u00a0 I will admit that we are living in unusual times.\u00a0 Between the pandemic and the upcoming election, there is a lot to know about.\u00a0 But we don\u2019t need to be aware of what is going on every minute of every day.\u00a0 Of course, the news providers would like us to be obsessed with current events.\u00a0 But the truth is that most of what is happening in the world has very little to do with us, and we don\u2019t need to know the news as it is happening.<\/p>\n

So, simplify your Internet surfing.\u00a0 With all due respect to Twitter, you don\u2019t need to know about world events the minute that they happen.\u00a0 For example, when I was a kid, we found out about news every evening at 7 p.m.\u00a0 That was it!\u00a0 Until 7 p.m., we had no idea what was going on in the world.\u00a0 And guess what?\u00a0 We did just fine.\u00a0 So, know that the world will not stop if you simplify your Internet usage and give your eyes a break!<\/p>\n

Our world is very complicated these days, and, at times, it can feel overwhelming.\u00a0 But it doesn\u2019t have to be.\u00a0 Instead, take some steps to simplify your life.\u00a0 You will find that by reducing your belongings, simplifying your activities and limiting your Internet usage, your life will be a lot less complicated.\u00a0 And, in turn, with a simplified life, you will feel much more at peace.\u00a0 (To read more about creating a simple life, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Email: meerabelle@meerabelledey.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

To receive a free copy of my e-book, “The Confidence Course,” and my weekly newsletter, go to meerabelledey.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We live in a world that doesn\u2019t want us to live simply.\u00a0 Advertisers want us to buy stuff that we don\u2019t need.\u00a0 The Internet and the 24-hour news cycle want to overload us with information.\u00a0 Even at our jobs, employers continually change how we do our jobs in the name of \u201cprogress\u201d or \u201cefficiency.\u201d\u00a0 All…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Simplify Your Life in a Complicated World - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The complexity of life can feel overwhelming at times. 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