I found this on twitter via @derekwebb from a blog called
Apartment Therapy. I know nothing of the blog but thought this post was good (I especially like the term "absofrickinglutely"):
In the spirit of keeping it short and sweet, here are five quick suggestions for simplifying your life:
1. When deciding whether or not to do something (or buy
something) if the answer is not "Absofrickinglutely!" then let the
answer be a definitive, "No." I read this in a book recently,
and it has been life-changing. Do you want to volunteer for the school
annual fund this year? Well, I guess I should, but....STOP! The answer
is no. Do you want to help the first grade bake cookies for Valentine's
Day? Absofrickinlutely! You get the idea?
2. Purge, Purge, Purge. I think there are at least one zillion sayings that roughly translate to
the less you own, the less that owns you.
Grab a bag and purge. A bag a day for 30 days? Sure. And when you are
tempted to buy something new, see #1 (Do you absofrickinlutely have to
have it?)
3. Set limits to your availability and access to technology.
My personal rule is that I log off at 7:30pm every night. No texts, no
emails, no internet after that point. That way, I can relax without
interruption and spend time with my family. Set limits to checking your
email, too. A couple times a day (or a few more depending on your
needs.) Otherwise, you can seriously spend your entire day checking your
email and sending texts. I also recommend a technology fast every once
in awhile. (Talk about feeling healthy and refreshed!)
4. Outsource, delegate, repeat. No one can do it
all. (Unless of course, you can, in which case, can you call me so that I
can delegate some tasks to you?) Hire a neighbor's cash-thirsty
teenager to help with some household chores. Try to find room in your
budget to outsource the most time-consuming things on your list.
5. Set your sights on new experiences, not new things.
Experiences, more than material things, are what make humans the
happiest. Perhaps rather than creating a wish list that includes new
"things" (which will require packaging, un-packaging, using, storing,
cleaning, upkeep, etc.) think about setting your heart's desire on new
experiences. A backpacking trip. A new yoga class. A massage. A night
with the TV turned off, cell phones on mute, laptops closed, playing
backgammon with loved ones. Simply sublime.
