On the cover Let’s keep things simple Julia Hobsbawm’s tricks to a simpler life
Our lives have become far more pared back over the past year. We may not have had a choice in it, but there are upsides to a quieter life. Having more opportunities for everyday joys, such as baking and pottering in the garden, has given us a new appreciation for the simple life.
‘Lockdown has been simplicity’s moment in the sun,’ says Julia
Hobsbawm, author of The Simplicity Principle.
‘All we really want is to be safe, well, love and be loved. Now we know this, I don’t think our old lives will hold the same appeal.’
That said, lockdown has been tricky. Many of us have faced challenges in our work and family lives, and the world has seemed more overwhelming than ever. If you are struggling to cope, take comfort in the fact that we’re not designed to handle so many new dilemmas.
‘Neuroscience shows us that once things get too complicated, our brains effectively short-circuit and cut out,’ says Julia. ‘When we are overloaded, we make mistakes. We get stressed, depressed, angry and disappointed.’
So can we cut through the chaos and find simplicity? Well, yes!
‘Life is complicated, we can’t control everything,’ says Julia. ‘But that doesn’t mean tasks can’t be made more simple.’
JULIA SHARES HER TOP TIPS FOR LIVING A SIMPLER LIFE… 1 PICK SIX
Our brains can only handle a maximum of seven things at once, so to keep within this, I’ve chosen six as my magic number. You can use the number six as a guide in all aspects of life; for example, having no more than six people in a group chat, or
Julia says,
‘It’s about pattern, structure and rhythm, and knowing when to stop and stand back.’
on a video call. But it really helps when working through your to-do list. Start each day with a list of just six major things and six tiny tasks you need to do by the end of the day. It will immediately focus your mind on the important things, rather than blurring the lines between essential and optional.
2 Create daily time zones
I break up my day by using the ‘three Ps’: Personal, Process and People. Personal can mean exercise or reading a book; process could be anything from tackling my inbox to budgeting; and people is all about connecting with others, whether friends or clients. When you’re in your ‘personal’ time zone, switch your emails off. When you’re speaking to friends, give them your full attention. Divvying up your day will help you focus your mind on what really matters in the present moment.
3 EMBRACE MINDLESSNESS
To practice mindfulness, you have to do something, such as using an app. So, you’re turning on your mind in order to switch it off! It can be simpler – by narrowing our focus, we can achieve a state of reset. When I listen to a piece of classical music or chop a piece of garlic when cooking, I am simplifying my actions. In slowing my thought processes, I can reach that elusive state: relaxation.
4 Be clear to others
If you want to gain clarity, you need to be clear yourself. For example, if you want your kids to do chores, give them basic, broken-down instructions. This means they’re more likely to get it right, avoiding complication in future. This also means saying ‘no’ to what you don’t have time, energy or mental space for. When you start setting clear boundaries, you can focus on what really matters.
5 REDUCE YOUR DECISIONS
We make tons of unconscious decisions every day – in fact, science has found we make a staggering 35,000 decisions, on everything from what to eat, to whether to click on Facebook. You may not even notice, but all these tiny decisions add up to make you feel overwhelmed. A study in a California supermarket found that offering six jams elicited a 30% purchase rate, compared with just 3% on a choice of 24 jams. So, find ways to reduce choice, such as limiting your lunch or clothes choices. 6 MONO-TASK Many of us wear the fact we can multitask as a badge of honour, but we work better when we focus on one thing at a time. Decide the one thing you want to do or achieve and stick to that until it’s done.