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Reading Month: a book to help you simplify your life
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The third book in our 5 Reading Month books for grandparents series suggests 100 easy (and not so easy) ways to simplify your life.
3. Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter, by Elaine St. James
I found this little book in one of my stacks about two years ago, when I began to downsize and start my own simplification process. It sits on my desk and when I'm feeling stressed I refer to it to see if there is anything I can do to make life simpler. Just looking at the cover relaxes me.
I certainly haven't followed every one of the 100 tips Elaine St. James suggests in order that we may "slow down and enjoy the things that really matter." For instance, though I have:
- stopped buying clothes that need to be dry-cleaned (#9)
- moved to a smaller house (#19)
- changed my expectations (#88)
- stopped carrying a purse the size of the QE2 (#93)
I will never:
- work less and enjoy it more (#54)
- get rid of my phone (#96)
- get rid of my car (#97)
- manage to look drop-dead-gorgeous in under 10 minutes (#90)
Some things are just hard-wired into us.
But, this isn't a program. It is a compilation of many actions that St. James and her husband took to simplify their own lives when they left the conspicuous consumption, work-around-the-clock corporate lives they once lived. Many of the suggestions in the book are very simple and left me feeling as though I'd accomplished something when I followed them. Other ideas St. James offers will seem extreme for some. I liked that I could pick and choose. I can't think of anything simpler than "saying no" (#84) even if it's to Ms. St. James.
The book's five sections focus on the areas of home, lifestyle, work, health, and finances, and provides suggestions in each to help you pare down and feel less stressed.
I have out-simplified the author in one area. She suggests that we use speed cleaning to clean our homes (#3). I've opted out of housecleaning altogether.
What have you done to simplify your life? Share with us by making a comment below.
DC Grandparenting Examiner's other recommendations for Reading Month 2009 include:
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