Why simpler living is good for you
We all crave peace amid the hurly-burly of daily life, and our gurus tell Christabel Smith how small changes can create the space you need
The small changes to create the peace you need
How often have you come back from holiday feeling recharged, only to lose the benefit the moment you return to reality? Do you find yourself sighing “I need a break” or “I want time to myself”? We live in complex times and we can’t change the world, only the way we live in it. You don’t need to be a hermit to feel Zen-like – tiny shifts in your routine can lead to a more carefree existence.
1 Start the day with a clear mind
Imagine you’re in the middle of vacuuming or ploughing through a long to-do list on the computer when your friend calls to suggest a walk in the park. Your instant response may be to say
“I’m too busy”, but every time we declare “I don’t have time”, our minds become even more hectic and, deep down, we get dispirited because we’re closing our hearts to opportunity.
DO IT Set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier than usual. Stand by a window so you can see the sky. Lengthen your spine, picturing a cord gently pulling you upwards. Take slow breaths and notice how your mind empties, making it open for possibilities.
2 Chuck out what you don’t need
Imagine no possessions, I wonder
if you can, John Lennon sang in his iconic song Imagine. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing material things enrich our lives when really, the opposite is true. When you declutter your home, you free yourself up, so search your house for anything you no longer need to bin, sell or give away. Start with your desk, then take it a room at a time. DO IT Find a home for everything that makes the cut. Clutter comes when items don’t have a sensible place to be stored. This will take time at first, but will save hours of tidying and cleaning in the long run.
3 Focus on your footwear
And no, we’re not telling you to go shopping for shoes! Zen Buddhists advise “to look carefully at what is under your own feet”. You can tell a lot about a household by its hallway, especially in Japan, where it’s the custom to take shoes off when arriving at a home. If you chuck yours off and leave them in a heap, it’s a sign of a jumbled-up mind that doesn’t know what its next steps will be.
DO IT Line your shoes up neatly by the front door. It only takes seconds, but if
you cultivate the habit (and encourage others to do the same), it will bring an instant degree of order to your world. A row of neat shoes shows awareness of where you’re going next.
4 Pare down any unnecessary expenses
Just as we tend to gain a few pounds in weight at Christmas that we still haven’t shifted by spring, it’s easy to take on regular payments that drain our bank balance even though they’re not really necessary. Time and money are precious resources, and the by-product of a simplified life is an increase in both. DO IT Review your finances and make sure your direct debits earn their right to be there. Do you honestly need that second car/gym membership or can you spare the expense and walk more? Health benefits + more cash + efficient use of time = win, win, win!
5 Appreciate your food
Do you eat your breakfast on the hop, quickly down a lunchtime sandwich as you flick through your phone and swallow down dinner with your eyes on the TV? You’re not alone, but instead, make a promise to yourself to try to slow down at mealtimes, and notice and be grateful for what you’re consuming, whether it’s a cup of tea or a dish of pasta. They’ll seem all the more delicious and give you a far greater sense of pleasure.
DO IT Pause after every sip and bite. Think about the fields where your vegetables grew, the people who picked them. It will make you feel more fortunate for what you have and help to aid your digestion too.
6 Create a garden that’s just for you
We can’t all live in the mountains or beside a rushing river, but we can visualise the beautiful scenery and imagine all the different sounds and smells. Zen temples feature gardens that are miniature versions of vast landscapes to provide a peaceful space for people to empty their minds and enjoy the serenity and fresh air. You can create a tranquil spot of your own, whether it’s a corner of your garden or balcony, or simply a window ledge. DO IT Use pebbles, earth, water, branches or twigs and moss to make your own miniature garden in a wooden box. There are no rules, just try to be as creative as you can, so it’s a reflection of your imagination and something that helps you relax and feel free to be yourself.
7 Clear out all your emotional baggage
As well as reducing the amount of unwanted clutter in your home and finances, simple living is all about discarding mental burdens so you are free to start afresh. This can be painful, of course, but letting go is the way to live with a light heart. DO IT Have a good cry. Weeping can release the emotional weight we’re carrying and refresh the spirit, so we have new energy to pick ourselves up and start anew.