7 Powerful Benefits Of Simplifying Your Lifestyle
We’ve all heard the saying: “Less is more”
But what does that really mean?
It can mean a lot of things, but one thing is certain about less; it allows for more space.
By having less, you allow yourself to notice the smaller moments that life presents.
With less, we have the ability to slow down in life, and not get so involved with things, events, gadgets, accessories, people, and so on.
It gives us the opportunity to appreciate, enjoy, and even participate in what’s happening around you; even within yourself.
7 Powerful Advantages of Less:
1. Oblige Less / Promise Less . You deserve to do what you enjoy, right? So, there should be no need to commit yourself to something you don’t want to do. Don’t let external factors control you into making a choice if you really don’t want to. Both yes, and no are one syllable.
The best things in life are unexpected – because there were no expectations. ~Eli Khamarov
2. Expect Less . Just enjoy what you already have. Take the chance to slow down, and appreciate in front of you. Being grateful for what you do have will show you that your life is already complete. Otherwise, the more you focus on what you don’t have, the more miserable you’ll end up.
3. Need Less / Own Less . Space is what holds things together and allows them to be, otherwise everything would pile onto each other. Try getting rid of some things from your environment, and add some space to your life – you’ll be happy you did.
4. Hold Less. Just let the present moment be as it is. Don’t add concepts, beliefs, or perceptions to what reality may be, isn’t, or should be – It will only blur your vision of what reality is. The less expectations you have of reality, the more curious and creative you can be.
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. ~Lao Tzu
5. Plan Less . No plan will play out in the exact sequence of your thoughts. It will never be how you wish (trust me, I’ve tried one too many times). No one can predict the future. By planning less, when something does go your way, you’ll appreciate it and see it as a gift.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
6. Lie Less. You may be able to lie to others, but you’ll always know the truth, so start telling the truth. Not only will you have to remember less, but you’ll also start accepting yourself for who you really are when you present yourself with the facts. John Ruskin said, “The essence of lying is in deception, not in words.”
The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable. ~ James Garfield
7. Become Less: When the phrase “just be yourself” is said, most of us identify who we are with an identity, or portrayal of who we believe to be. We hold a false sense of self, and attach that to who we are. Just trying being. Just be, however you may feel at that point in time. There is no need to be anything but. Being is more than enough. Your authenticity becomes effortless when there’s no need to express something that you’re not.
The less we own, the less we end up getting owned, by the things that we pretend to “own”.
And the more comfortable we become with the idea of less, the closer we come to nothing.
Now, if we can truly be happy with less, then we are no longer dependent on things. Our happiness is no longer dependent on certain outcomes, situations, possessions or things.
Our happiness no longer depends on anything, but rather on nothing.
Over to you: Have you ever subtracted from your life, or do you constantly keep adding? How have you benefited from taking things out of your life? When was the last time you enjoyed something simple in your life?