“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”  ~ Clare Booth Luce

If you think that life has become overly hectic and complicated, you’re not alone.

Our homes, minds and lifestyles are overflowing with things and stresses.

Was life truly simpler back in the day? I think that every generation believes that things used to be less complicated for generations before them.

Still, we have managed to acquire many time and effort saving gadgets without actually realizing the time they were supposed to save.

I am a purger. I grew up in a family of borderline hoarders. I have an innate drive to clear—not only my home but also my thoughts. Organizing is a pleasurable experience for me. But I realize that it’s not like that for everyone. But one step at a time though, it is possible to own less and live more.

There are some things we can do that, although simple, will contribute to our feeling of freedom. How awesome would it be to have more time for exploring the magic of life?

1. Get rid of that extra bank account. Keep the basics, one for savings, one for everyday life. Less paperwork, less aggravation trying to keep it all balanced.

2. Consolidate your debt if possible, and cut up all but one credit card. Keep two at most. If you need more than two, you can’t afford your life. Be honest with yourself.

3. Purge those points cards! Keep the ones that actually do earn you significant savings. The other ones are just a temptation to make more purchases. Oh, you’ll need a smaller wallet!

4. Get rid of every sock and piece of underwear that have holes, are close to being vapor, or look like they belonged to your granny. Organize that dresser. You’ll be happier in the good things you own anyway. Look how much room there is in those drawers. When we rid of old things we clear old energy from years past as well.

5. Unsubscribe from all the e-mail lists you never read and set your computer to clear junk and spam mail regularly.

6. Donate furniture and artifacts that you’ve been collecting for years and try a minimalist look for a while. Enjoy the extra space in your home. You may not need to move to a larger home after all; there may be ways to retrofit what you have once you’ve let go of all that clutter. Or you may be able to downsize home and debt even further.

7. Choose a less expensive TV cable package or get rid of it altogether. Read. Go for a walk. Have dinner with friends. The television is an energy vampire. Count up the televisions, computers and telephones in the house. Seriously people! Less is more.

8. Donate good coats and purses to the women’s shelter. Keep the ones you actually wear all the time.

9. Organize your closet into the four seasons and recycle or donate everything that doesn’t suit you. Admit it, there’s lots of that stuff in there.

10. Sell one car and pay down some bills. I’ve just done this and it takes some getting used to as I live in the countryside, but I can tell you that my bank account has thanked me. When I really need one I can rent for the weekend or carpool with friends. Other times I use the car when my partner is home.

11. Get rid of paper clutter. Keep documents that are still pertinent and shred or burn everything else. Recycle magazines and donate books.

12. Clear your fridge and kitchen cupboards. Simplify your eating habits by concentrating on healthy, real food. Get rid of unhealthy condiments and packaged foods. While you’re in the kitchen, throw out all chipped glasses and crockery. Those extra can openers and shot glasses from Vegas and everything else can go, too.

13. Simplify your beauty regime. Stick to basics and as natural products as possible. Throw out old makeup. Sharpen all your eye and lip liners. Wash your brushes. Clear outdated medications.

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“I do believe in simplicity. It is astonishing as well as sad how many trivial affairs even the wisest thinks he must attend to in a day; how singular an affair he thinks he must omit. When the mathematician would solve a difficult problem, he first frees the equation of all encumbrances, and reduces it to its simplest terms. So simplify the problem of life, distinguish the necessary and the real. Probe the earth to see where your main roots run. ” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Take a look around and breathe. Wow! Your life and your home will be a lot more elegant with just these few changes. If this list seems overwhelming, Invite a friend to help and offer to help them do the same. Or create a list of one change a week.

Quite often when we purge things, we also purge emotions, relationships and old thought patterns. Stay open to changes. Simplifying may turn into a whole new adventure.

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Author: Monika Carless

Editor: Caroline Beaton

Image: petter palander/Flickr~