SIMPLE LIVING -- sounds nice,
doesn't it? No rushing, no stress, plenty of time to do what you want,
owning nothing more than you really need and use. But how on earth
do you break out of the "rat race" to do it? And does simplifying
your life mean that you have to sell off all of your possessions and
go live in a bark hut in the woods? While most people appreciate the
abstract idea of living simply, it is often difficult to visualize
the steps that will get you there.
Janet Luhrs does an excellent job explaining that principles and practices
of VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY in her book, "The Simple Living Guide." She
discusses cutting back, slowing down, and focusing on your priorities
in every area of your life -- home, family, work, money, your lifestyle,
and even the holidays. Throughout the book, she offers valuable resources,
amusing anecdotes, and profiles of real people (just like you!) who
have broken out of the mold and are living truly fulfilling simple
lives. In every area of life, Ms. Luhrs proposes three basic principles
of simple living:
YOU HAVE TO DEFINE YOUR OWN IDEA OF "SIMPLE"
What is simple for one person may seem overwhelming to another --
and what is simple for that person may seem downright barbaric to
a third! As Ms. Luhrs points out from the very beginning of her book,
you have to decide for yourself what SIMPLIFYING means to you.
For someone who lives in an expensive penthouse in a big city and
works 80 hours a week, simplifying may mean getting a smaller condo
and CUTTING BACK to a more reasonable 50 hours a week. For a family
living in the suburbs and surrounded by materialism, simplifying could
involve CLEANING OUT 20 years worth of unused junk and getting rid
of the TV. And for a true die-hard who wants to completely leave the
evils of society behind, simplifying might mean buying a farmhouse
and trying a hand at homesteading. Don't feel as though you are failling
in your efforts to simplify if you still remain attached to civilization
-- simplifying just means that you make your life easier, LESS-STRESSFUL,
and more filled with joy.
SIMPLIFYING IS ABOUT SUCKING THE MARROW OUT
OF LIFE
How many people do you know who go to work, watch the clock all day,
come home, crash in front of the TV -- and get up the next morning
to repeat this cycle all over again? Too many people in our society
are simply DRIFTING through their lives, and missing all of the splendor
there is to behold. They live in passionless relationships, work at
unfulfilling jobs, and are essentially bored by life. If you follow
Janet Luhrs philosophy, this is no way to live!
The term "simplifying" may seem like it means taking things away --
but its core principle is ADDING QUALITY to life. You can't live simply
unless you do work that you love, interact with people who stimulate
you, and take advantage of life's opportunities for wonder and amazement.
One of the main goals of voluntary simple living is deciding what
gives you joy and filling your life with as much of that as possible.
In return, you will have to let go of those things that suck the joy
from your life -- people, activities, habits, and attitudes that drain
you of energy. We can all live like Thoreau -- in our own unique way
-- if we make the effort.
SIMPLIFYING IS A PROCESS
Please understand that simplifying is not a goal -- not a destination.
It is a way of life. As Ms. Luhrs explains, in order to live a simple
life, you must make daily decisions that align with your true PRIORITIES
and VALUES. That includes decisions about how you spend your time
and money, what kind of work you do, how you take care of yourself,
and what kinds of relationships you maintain.
Simple living involves making CONSCIOUS DECISIONS -- the kind in which
you evaluate the situation, examine your options, and choose according
to what you want -- not what society expects of you. This can seem
like a difficult process, especially when you are used to just "going
with the flow" as so many of us are. But once you take back control
over your life, you will never want to make a casual and thoughtless
choice again!
Ramona
Creel is the founder of OnlineOrganizing.com
--
offering "a world of organizing solutions!"
Visit OnlineOrganizing.com
for organizing products, free tips, a speakers bureau -- and even
get a referral for a Professional Organizer near you. And if you
are interested in becoming a Professional Organizer, we have all
the tools you need to succeed. (Copyright 2000, Ramona Creel)
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