
So, many of you know that I have been blogging the simple manifesto (72 points). It has not been an easy road over the past months. Busyness has crept in and overwhelmed me and I have not had the chance to blog as much. There are many things I want to write about this school year, but I want to also finish up my commitment to blog about the 72 points of the simple living manifesto. Here we go. A mega- post. On the last chunk of points!
50. Reduce your consumption of advertising. Advertising makes us want things. That’s what it’s designed to do, and it works. Find ways to reduce your exposure of advertising, whether that’s in print, online, broadcast, or elsewhere. You’ll want much less.
You know what I did? Gave away all my TVs. That helps. And I don’t even miss it! Other advertising avenues I still have open to me (Internet, radio, and everything in the outside world).
51. Live life more deliberately. Do every task slowly, with ease, paying full attention to what you’re doing.
I work slowly already. I’m really particular about things, but often – I am so particular that I get impatient with myself and move on to some other task. (Sort of like being so organized that you can never be organized enough and it frustrates you…)
52. Make a Most Important Tasks (MITs) list each day. Set just 3 very important things you want to accomplish each day. Don’t start with a long list of things you probably won’t get done by the end of the day. A simple list of 3 things, ones that would make you feel like you accomplished something.
I try to do this on my blackberry everyday. It works!
53. Create morning and evening routines. A great way to simplify your life is to create routines at the start and end of your day.
I still need to work on this (mornings anyway!). I need to wake up earlier and go to bed later… good luck with this one!
54. Create a morning writing ritual. If you enjoy writing, like I do, make it a peaceful, productive ritual.
I’m not doing this.
55. Learn to do nothing. Doing nothing can be an art form, and it should be a part of every life.
It’s difficult to do nothing when you are as busy as I am, but it’s one of the most important things you can do for your health. Learn to say “NO!”
56. Read Walden, by Thoreau. The quintessential text on simplifying.
Working on it!!!
57. Go for quality, not quantity. Try not to have a ton of stuff in your life … instead, have just a few possessions, but ones that you really love, and that will last for a long time.
Books, Records, and a few of my favorite films.
58. Read Simplify Your Life, by Elaine St. James. One of my favorite all-time authors on simplicity.
Sounds good. I’ll take a look!
59. Fill your day with simple pleasures. Make a list of your favorite simple pleasures, and sprinkle them throughout your day.
A little music here, a dash of chocolate there….
60. Simplify your RSS feeds. If you’ve got dozens of feeds, or more than a hundred (as I once did), you probably have a lot of stress in trying to keep up with them all. Simplify your feed reading.
I don’t think I read those anyway!
61. But subscribe to Unclutterer. Probably the best blog on simplifying your stuff and routines (along with Zen Habits, of course!).
If I read my RSS feeds, I would!
62. Create an easy-to-maintain yard.
Have you seen my yard. It’s wicked-small.
63. Carry less stuff. Are your pockets bulging. Consider carrying only the essentials.
Just my wallet, phone and keys normally. Unless I have my backpack… then books.
64. Simplify your online life.
Facebook, Email, Twitter, and occasionallyAmazon. Probably need to limit my time on Facebook….
65. Strive to automate your income. This isn’t the easiest task, but it can (and has) been done. I’ve been working towards it myself.
Working on it. Not easy, but getting easier!
66. Simplify your budget. Many people skip budgeting (which is very important) because it’s too hard or too complicated.
See above answer! Ha.
67. Simplify your financial life.
And again.
68. Learn to pack light. Who wants to lug a bunch of luggage around on a trip?
I am the master at this!
69. Use a minimalist productivity system. The minimal Zen To Done is all you need. Everything else is icing.
I’ll work on it. I’m pretty minimal. I don’t have time to make things complex.
70. Leave space around things in your day. Whether they’re appointments, or things you need to do, don’t stack them back-to-back. Leave a little space between things you need to do, so you will have room for contingencies, and you’ll go through your day much more relaxed.
I always leave room… mainly because I don’t like being late.
71. Live closer to work. This might mean getting a job closer to your home, or moving to a home closer to your work. Either will do much to simplify your life.
When I moved, I made sure I was only 15 min. away from work. I don’t care for long drives. This also allows me to only have to buy one tank of gas per week.
72. Always ask: Will this simplify my life? If the answer is no, reconsider.
Will do!
Just for kicks here is my own #73!!!
73. Simplify your life by not blogging as much!
Thanks for the advice, self. I might take you up on that!
Well, it has been a real journey walking through the Simple Living Manifesto. Hope you got something from the different ideas. I know I did. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Treehouse Monastic!