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Simple Living Starter Kit

You know that you want to live simply. You know that something isn't right. But you do not know where to start. Start by learning and understanding why you are not living simply.

  1. Read books which speak to the busyness of our society. This will help you discover the things your are doing which may be hindering your goal of living simply. Book suggestion at the bottom of my comment.
  2. Try the 100 thing challenge.
  3. Live a weekend at home like you were camping. When you go camping, you take the essentials and perhaps a few "nice to have" items. Live a weekend using just those items. Take note after the weekend of what worked and what did not. You may need to leave your house for this or unplug the TV, etc.
  4. If you were born in the 80s or earlier think back to what was important and what kept you occupied when you were a child. If you were born after 1990, this may still include a lot of the digital distractions we endure today.
  5. Defend your calendar. After reading Essentialism, fiercely defend your calendar. If you do not plan for your time, some one else will.
  6. Get comfortable with boredom. When you aren't doing something and do not need to be somewhere, just let your mind and body be. Perhaps doodle or just write down the passing thoughts you are having. Either way, do not seek to occupy yourself for the sake of feeling productive.

In contrast to our culture or productivity, simple living can sometimes be perceived as or feel "lazy". That is not the truth. Simple living is intentional in that we seek to meet our most immediate needs and then to enjoy some luxuries without over indulging for the sake of trying everything.

Suggested Books

  • Essentialism by Greg Mckeown
  • Reset by David Murray
  • Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
  • Sleep Revolution by Arianna Huffington
  • Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander
  • The Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard Thames

Online Resources

50 Rules for a Simple Life

Source: 50 Rules for a Simple Life

  1. Focus on a single task per day

  2. Wake up at the same time every day

  3. Smile more

  4. The best revenge is NONE

  5. Focus on 1 desire at a time

  6. Don’t allow the external to affect the internal

  7. Remember when you wanted what you currently have

  8. You don’t have to know how to bake a cake, to eat cake

  9. Do not lie, or at least try to tell the truth
  10. Live below your means and all life will be good
  11. You will not be able to escape pain, uncertainty and constant work
  12. Avoid the trap of more
  13. Return what you borrow
  14. Always be on time and do not make excuses
  15. Know when to keep your mouth shut
  16. Know that you are not the voice in your head
  17. Stress, over-eating, lack of sleep and exercise is a form of self-harm
  18. The people around multiply what you are
  19. Motivation is temporary, act on it immediately
  20. We do what we plan for the night before
  21. Be intentional with your time, energy and act accordingly
  22. If undecided, go for the option that’s the most painful in the short term
  23. Believe that whatever happens you will be able to get through it
  24. The enemy of peace is other people’s expectations of you
  25. Set boundaries. Tell people no. Tell some people to go pound sand if you have to
  26. Finish the books you bought before buying new ones
  27. The media will make it seem like the world is on fire 24/7/365
  28. Don’t worry about having a grand purpose
  29. The purpose of the struggle is to rid yourself from ever struggling again
  30. If you have to say it twice write it down
  31. Never work harder than you have to
  32. You won’t be able to find time, you have to make time
  33. Walk away when they don’t change
  34. Other people’s emotions are not your responsibility
  35. Remove poison from your life!
  36. Bask in having to do nothing
  37. Minimise the amount of things you own
  38. Invest in a Quality focused wardrobe
  39. Learn to “feel” what you’re doing
  40. Do something nice for a stranger and keep it private
  41. Compliment people often and do it genuinely
  42. Accept the things that are outside of your control
  43. Nothing in life is promised except death
  44. Fix the little things and life immediately get better
  45. Realise that over 1 billion people would love to trade lives with you right this moment
  46. Live as if your version of God is real and watching
  47. Be happy alone, be happy together
  48. Spend time with your parents
  49. The only way to win is by deciding you’ve already won
  50. Practice what you learn in these videos and from the books you read

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • What can I stop doing?
  • What can I stop buying?
  • What can I stop needing?
  • Rather than living for vacations and weekends, how can I create a life that delivers happiness on an ongoing daily basis?
  • What are the non-consumer things/activities that I enjoy?
  • What do I need to bring for a weekend camping trip and how can I live on that today?

Points to Consider

  • Marketers create needs we never had previously and advertise products to fulfill those false needs.
  • Being satisfied with less means needing less, which means money to sustain more is no longer needed.
  • Your money should take care of today (or tomorrow's) needs and not yesterday's desires.