Your Simple Life Manifesto - Part One

Your Simple Life Manifesto – Part One

Now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is winding down it is time for many to rid themselves of untidiness in their lives. A simple life has a different meaning for everyone; for me, it means getting rid of things that take time away from the things I love doing and from the people I love. It also means only keeping the things that are of value while getting rid of physical clutter.

Achieving simplicity can be a messy process; still, it is a journey and not a destination. What works for one person may not work for you, and what works for you now, may not work a decade from now. Simplicity is fluid.

The first part of this three part series will focus on six ways to simplify the home and family aspect of your life. Because the journey to a simple life is yours, keep in mind that this is not one-size-fits-all advice.

1) Chores – Think about all you do at home. Your to-do list can be almost as long as your work-list. Getting it all done is just not possible. Focus on what is most important and find ways to eliminate or delegate other tasks.

2) Wardrobe – Owning fewer clothes of higher quality will result in less time deciding what to wear from a closet full of items you love.

• Have a multi-faceted but basic wardrobe.

• Choose a few basic essentials and styles.

• Mix and match two or three colors.

• Use colored tops with neutral bottoms.

3) Downsize - Learn to live with less. Remember, working to pay off for objects is not an ideal way to live happily; review your priorities.

•  Appreciate quality. Buy less and put the spare money into a savings account for a rainy day or a rewarding vacation.

• Rent, rather than buy, a home or additional items you occasionally need to use. Then, the overhead repairs are someone else's responsibility, not yours.

• Own fewer items but make sure that what you do own has greater versatility.

4) Eat Simply – Use the Internet to find recipes that are fast and easy to prepare. Look in your pantry to see what ingredients you have. Decide the main ingredient for that meal and type it into a search engine with the word "recipe." Don't drag out the search process - check up to 5 recipes, choose one and get cooking!

5) Delegate – Expect everyone in your home to pull their own weight. Sit down and hold a family meeting about how the whole family is going to simplify home life together, discussing each member’s responsibility. Nobody is more qualified than anybody else to do the cleaning, clearing away and laundry.

6) Gifting – Avoid last minute anxiety by having gifts already organized well in advance. Keep a gift cupboard to help you throughout the year, or a list of favorite homemade gifts that can be produced quickly and with ease.

Stay tuned for part two of Your Simple Life Manifesto as we explore ways to simplify your financial life. Keeping things simple leads to less worry and more time to do what you love with those you love.