We live in a world where our attention is constantly being demanded and pulled into different directions. Phone calls, text messages, social media, the media, work, kids, the list can go on and on. Have you stopped to think about what life would be like without so much stimulation?
Here are five reasons you’ll be a happier person once you’ve adopted a simpler lifestyle:
Noise & Clutter
When it comes to simplifying your living one of the best things you can do for both the body and the mind is to clear your world of as much clutter and noise as possible.
Things often start to build up and accrue in certain areas of our world, be it in our house or in our mind; they begin to clutter when we don’t take the time to clear them out. This makes our life much harder than it should be.
Work on organizing your time and space in a better manner, it will remove obstructions that are keeping you from moving freely through life.
The difference between needs and wants
Simple living is inspired by recognizing the difference between wanting something and needing something. What are our true needs versus what society tells us we should want.
It’s easy to differentiate between the two when you think about it, but how often do you actually do it? Most of the time we don’t, because we don’t want to, because we’re too invested in consumerism and mass media.
When you start to realize just how much of your life is influenced by society and culture, you start to view it from the outside. Having this clarity is ultimately freeing and it is the lifeblood of living simply.
Living authentically
When you gain the clarity of knowing what is relevant and necessary, you also start to understand more about who you are. We all want to live authentic lives, it’s inherent within every human.
But a lot of us lose our authenticity when we start living a certain way or doing certain things because of what others want. Living authentically happens when you lose the fear of judgment and disapproval by your peers. It means you’re living passionately and with purpose.
Recognizing your own motivations and who you are
Everyone wants to find a purpose in life, and while it might not always stem from the simplification of life, a lot of the time it does.
Living simply allows one to gain a better understanding of the person they are and what motivates them, which in turn usually tells us what our purpose in life is.
Better time management
Time management has always been an issue for me, as I’m often prone to instant gratifications. But when you start living a simpler life, time management starts to become a non-issue because you’ve rid your life of all of the things that ultimately serve no purpose.
When all of the things that come attached with a modern lifestyle, like chores and social pressures, expectations and activities, suddenly disappear, managing your time becomes easier and life becomes even more simple and you gain even greater clarity.