On Simplicity

photo credit: ▼ijjug▲du

Last week, we were all very brave and opened up about Things We Suck At. If you haven’t checked out the comments, I seriously recommend it—I had a blast reading everyone’s dirty secrets. It’s good to remember that everyone’s got faults, and what we consider our weak points are often things no one else notices.

Today, it’s time to turn the tables. We’ve admitted that we’re not perfect, but I’m willing to bet that we’re all pretty good at a few things (or lots of things). As we head into another summer weekend, drop in the comments and let me know three things you’re good at.

As for me, I’m good at:

• Getting along with a wide range of people
• Walking in heels
• Bargain shopping

So, what’s your story? Please skip over to the comments and share your skills!

photo credit: elyziumfields

Tim Gunn of Project Runway is the ultimate icon of simple sophistication. This is a man who insists that a solid wardrobe consists of just 10 pieces. In that spirit of refreshing minimalism, here are a few lessons we can take from Tim Gunn: the man, the host, the guru.

“A couture post-office uniform is not going to work.”

Or, put differently, no one on a farm cares about your Benz. In short, fashion needs to be functional. Style should help you live your life, simply in a more colorful way. It should never impede you from doing the things you love to do. Whether you need room to stretch and breathe, comfort to run and jump, or the freedom to roll around the grass or jump off a swing, your clothes should make your day more fun. In all areas of your life, style should be a value-added component and never a distraction or excuse.

“Looking good takes hard work and commitment.”

Things that look effortless are often far from it. When you see a person who appears to have it all together, keep in mind that they’ve likely worked very hard to get to that point. Whether your goal is to look fabulous or accomplish amazing things, Tim Gunn has just given you the two secrets of success: hard work and commitment. Hard work will get you 90 percent of the way, but commitment is what ensures that you stay on track during the hard times (ie, stirrup leggings and pegged pants).

“Underwear is the foundation of fashion.”

I love this quote, because it acknowledges the importance of what lies beneath the surface. Taken in a larger context, your habits are your underwear–they support you and determine the outcome of many of your actions. Consider the art of personal finance: you can master fancy techniques and have incredible vision, but if you don’t spend less than you earn (that’s your financial underwear) your portfolio, or wardrobe, won’t amount to much.

“Having quiet time alone is just so repairing. That’s why my environment is so important to me.”

Quiet time is when you become truly you. When all external stimuli are gone, what thoughts are you left with? What dreams do you conceive? If you want to dream bigger and deeper, creating a conducive environment is an important step. I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely vital, but I think Gunn is onto something here in that our environments do affect our lives. It makes sense to design them to reflect the places you want to go and the person you want to be (or already are).

“There are thousands of designers who would love to be in your place. What’s the matter with you?”

This is Tim’s response to those who complain about the Project Runway work load. I think it’s a wonderful mini meditation on gratitude. No matter who you are, there’s a pretty big likelihood that there’s someone who would love to be in your place. Perhaps you’re doing well for yourself financially. Maybe you’ve got one person in your life who loves you completely and totally. Perhaps you’ve got an education and an analytical mind. If you don’t appreciate the gifts you do have, there are plenty of others who would ask you, “What’s the matter with you?”

Finally, “Make it work.”

Make it work is a mantra you can truly live by. When Tim Gunn tells people to make it work, he’s encouraging them to work with what they’ve got. It’s a call to accept who you are and where you are, and make it as fabulous as possible. Forget what you don’t have. What can you do right now to make things better? In the end, it’s often a recommendation to take something away–in other words, to simplify down to basics. Now that’s a catchphrase I can get behind!

Do you have a favorite Gunn-ism? I’d love to hear, so please head into the comments and let your opinion be heard!

Today, J.D. at Get Rich Slowly has been kind enough to feature a guest post from me about investing in DRIPs. Please head over there and check it out!

If you’re new to On Simplicity, I’d like to point you toward some of my favorite pieces here, as well as some reader favorites.

The On Simplicity Philosophy:

Your Life Is a Sculpture; Keep Chipping Away

Why Choose Simplicity?

Three Things You’ve Given up and Never Regretted

Redefining the American Dream

And a guest post at Remodeling This Life, called Cultivating a Simple Lifestyle.

Reader Favorites:

Working When Inspiration Strikes

Seven Life-Tested Ways to Make Your Simple Life More Glamorous

The Tao of Roo: Lessons in Simplicity from My Dog

It’s Okay to Just Shut Up: Understanding Introversion

The Lost Art of Doing Nothing

And the post that started it all:

The One Pencil Philosophy

I hope you enjoy browsing these, whether you’re a new or veteran reader at On Simplicity. Also, consider subscribing to the On Simplicity feed and diving into today’s conversation.

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

I love highlighting a range of blogs with weekly links, but there’s one problem: there are some truly awesome blogs out there that I just don’t know about. With new blogs being created by the nanosecond, it’s a challenge to keep tabs on the new, worthwhile stuff popping up. Can you help?

This week, I want you to help me create a list of your favorite blogs by sharing the name of your favorite blog in the comments. (Yes, it can be your own!) But I have just a couple of basic ground rules:

1. Name your favorite blog and provide a pitch for the rest of us in seven words or less.
2. Keep it PG rated. I’ll be moderating the comments to keep things appropriate and unspammy.

So, let me know about the cool, undiscovered blog you love and be sure to check out everyone else’s comments for new blogs that fit your style.

photo credit: salvez

Creativity: it’s elusive, mysterious, and undefineable. Or is it? While I’m of the opinion that there are few shortcuts worth taking, I think I’ve found a shortcut to unlock creativity. It’s the same kind of philosophy I can imagine being espoused by Yogi Berra, the man famous for stating the obvious.

What’s the secret?

To unlock your creativity, you need to be creative.

Yep, that’s it. So what does it mean? It means that in order to get your creative juices flowing, you need to commit creative acts. These first attempts don’t need to be wonderful, or even particularly inspired. They just need to be committed.

By choosing to write that first sentence, paint that first stroke, or cook that first dinner, you’re opening your mind to being creative. Once you take that first step, don’t be surprised if the ideas suddenly start flowing. Before you know it, you’ll be having flashes in the shower, while you’re driving, and all manner of inconvenient moments.

Tapping into Your Creative Flow

This has certainly been the case with me. Once I started blogging, the ideas simply started flooding my mind. Where before there was observation and curiosity, there’s now a stream of ideas. Some are related to On Simplicity, some are inspired by what I’m currently seeing or hearing, and others seem to come from nowhere. Simply by walking up the stairs in a local historical site, a short story formed itself in my head.

Is this flow of ideas always available? Does beginning creative pursuits unlock the pre-existing creative riches of your mind? Or does the flow begin only when you commit to taking creative action? I couldn’t tell you. What I can tell that is that waiting for a masterpiece to spring from your mind, full grown like Athena is wishful thinking.

You can take action to foster and grow your creativity today by simply being creative. After all, “If you don’t know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.”

photo credit: cursedthing

Okay, I know your first question: why would you want to do less? I’ll give you a few reasons:

• Less stress
• More time for fun
• Doing things better

Convinced? Alright then, let’s identify one of the biggest culprits: your to-do list. If your to-do list has become a repository of things you wish you would do, then that’s putting extra pressure on you. You wouldn’t be alone if you found yourself rundown and tired from constantly doing things, but feeling like a bum because you never get to the bottom of your list.

If you’re ready to do less and enjoy more, it’s probably time to declutter your to-do list. The following ideas have worked for me:

1. Cross off any big items that you wish you were going to do, but aren’t actively planning on doing anytime soon. This includes things like, “paint the house” or “finish writing novel.” If you really want to get it done, keep the first step on the list (”pick up paint swatches” or “outline chapter three”).
2. Cross off any items you feel like you should do, but don’t actually care about. For instance, items like “Organize photos in albums” will only make you feel guilty and unproductive. Of course, this doesn’t mean you get to nix stuff you need to do, but just don’t want to–like “Schedule doctor’s appointment,” or, “Breast self-exam.”
3. Limit your list the number of things you can realistically do in a day or two. Just because you include 20 items, that doesn’t mean you have time in your day to complete them. In the end, you’ll just feel busy and overworked.

That’s it! I know it’s not a long list, but these three steps can take you a long way toward a simplified to-do list. If you’ve got any other tips, please share them in the comments! Let me know what works for you–or what hasn’t, and I’ll put together a follow-up for a few weeks from now.

photo credit: uhtofu

I love simplicity. Pretty obvious, right? Me and simplicity are sitting in a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g. But am I always successful at keeping things simple? Not so much.

Life always comes down to balance, so if want to be good at one thing, I’m probably going to have suck at something else. So, in honor of the idea that imperfection can be inspiring I’m sharing three things I suck at:

1. Going to bed on time. Can’t do it. Never have. There’s always something more interesting to be done!
2. Completing projects. I have half completed hook rugs from fifth grade, random walls left unpainted, and a closet full of decluttered stuff I still haven’t moved out of the house. I’m a pretty decent starter, but not a fabulous finisher.
3. Eating healthy. What can I say? I love cookies like I love my own sister. I would marry both Ben and Jerry if polygamy were allowed. At one point, I’m pretty sure I actually sold my soul for a Ring Ding. I make a valiant effort from time to time, but I’m just not there yet.

What about you? None of us are perfect, and it feels pretty good to admit it. So leap into the comments and share something you suck at! Unless you suck at commenting, in which case, just have a great weekend!

photo credit: Jun Kaneko

Feng shui, in its Westernized form, is the art of arranging rooms to maximize the flow of positive energy. Whether or not you practice feng shui as a hobby or a lifestyle (or not at all), there are quite a few good ideas that come out of this tradition. But what does feng shui have to say about clutter?

The Dangers of Clutter: Scarier Than You Think

First, clutter is a serious problem. We typically think the biggest problem with clutter is that we lose some time here and there looking for items. If you’re practicing feng shui, you’re more worried about clutter damaging your health, decimating your bank account, and making you tired and depressed. Since feng shui is about creating a positive flow of energy, clutter is seen as literally blocking that flow. In a cluttered room, your energy stagnates, your mood declines, and your focus dwindles. There’s no energy to bring in new ideas and inspiration. You’re essentially trapped.

What’s the Definition of Clutter?

So what constitutes clutter? You’re going to love this: anything you don’t use or love. This is a definition that allows us to let go of things that may be useful (someday) or that we feel obligated to keep. If you don’t use it or love it, chuck it. And if you love an item, it’s good for your home. So what if your favorite cozy blanket doesn’t match the decor? If you love it, it’s bringing you good vibes.

Other energy-sucking clutter zones include unfinished projects (I’m in trouble here…), unorganized areas, and a glut of items. Since each room only has space for so many items, there’s a cap to how many tchotchskes you can have before they start to strangle you. Plus, any items that aren’t in their proper places are also considered energy-blockers.

Unblocking the Chi: How to Clear out a Room

How do you clear it out? There’s no mystery here: get rid of stuff. Anything that you don’t love and value should be considered ripe for the “outta here” pile. Then, organize what’s left. Both visible and out-of-sight clutter count, so if you’re really trying to create a positive flow of energy, you’ll need to hit the closets and drawers in a space as well.

So does the feng shui definition of clutter resonate with you? Do the dangers of clutter seem realistic? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments!

photo credit: Care_SMC

Bare feet can be a symbol of simplicity. They remind me of lazy afternoons, running in grass, and not needing to be anywhere but where you are. The next time you feel stressed, try taking off your shoes and seeing if a barefoot stroll helps bring your blood pressure down. At the very least, you’ll have to stop taking yourself so seriously for a few minutes. And here’s what I came across as I strolled around the blogosphere this week:

Over at Wise Bread, Philip Brewer summarizes what he’s been trying to say. Between five core tactics, well-placed references to Thoreau, and some wonderful prose, this piece manages to convey the wisdom of pages and pages worth of articles in just one post. I loved it!

Damien Riley guest posts at Be Playful to remind us to be playful when times get tough. This was a simple piece, but a lot of the suggestions really resonated with me. When was the last time you played at a playground? The swings are just as awesome as you remember. (The merry-go-round… not so much.)

For a great list of ways to simplify your life, head to Get More Done. I found this list to be full of things that were doable and realistic.

In Denial Health clues us in on the real key to staying motivated. This piece was incredibly refreshing and can go way beyond health. The personal development sphere places a high priority on passion and doing what you love. It helps to remember that some things worth doing might not be fun, but they’re worth it anyway.

Lance at Jungle of Life has a similar message in And the Thunder Rolls. The storms of life require the best of us, and that’s a good thing. I’m enjoying Lance’s blog hugely, and this piece was no exception.

Marc and Angel clue us into How to Work Less and Still Impress. I tend to be a naturally hard worker, regardless of circumstances, but this piece offers some valuable ways to do your best work without burning out.

Shilpan at Success Soul reminds us that Warren Buffett knows a thing or two about simplicity. I just wish Warren Buffett was my uncle or something, and we got to sit around during holidays watching football and playing games.

“It’s been… what? Two years since I saw you? Three? What’s new with you, mister?”

“Well, I’ve got a house being built in Idaho, so I’ll be heading out there in a couple months. You know, stay with my parents in the meantime.”

“Yeah? That’s exciting for you. Well, the house I mean, not the living with your parents thing.”

“You should visit sometime. I think you might actually like living there.”

“Okay. Sure thing. I’ll just pack up and move to Idaho because you said so.”

Well, about one year later to the date, I packed up and moved to Idaho because he said so. I hate it when my husband is right.

It’s been two years today since B and I loaded up the moving van in the blistering heat, waved goodbye to longtime friends, and ventured to the Gem State. With just one short weekend visit under my belt, I was nervous and excited. As the lights of Boise became visible through the thick, inky darkness of the mountain pass, my breath caught in my throat. This was real.

I’ve been questioned about the move and done some questioning myself, but in the end, it has resulted in some pretty wonderful things. Here’s what I’ve learned in the transition from city life to rural home.

1. People are nice. They’re not nice all the time, and some are never nice at all, but in general, people are still friendly. I was actually taken aback the first few times that people said “hello” to me for no good reason. (It also becomes too easy to take that for granted.)

2. There’s culture all around us. You don’t have to live in a big city to be around intelligent, creative people. You do, however, need to make more of an effort to seek out cultural events. People who assume that anywhere not on a coast lacks culture are, quite simply, kidding themselves.

3. Being in a minority can be awkward, yet satisfying. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people who held vastly different opinions and beliefs than my own. It was kind of scary at first, but I got over it relatively quickly. Most people will agree to disagree, provided you’re not trying to offload your beliefs on them.

4. Alienating people is rarely a good idea. That person you cut in front of in the post office? Yeah, they know 10 people who know you, including your boss. The kid at the drive through, taking your order? Yeah, he’ll be your city council person someday, in charge of zoning your neighborhood. In a small town, everyone’s a contact in some way. If you’re going to antagonize someone, you’d better have a darn good reason.

5. You can be happy anywhere you choose. Happiness comes from within, not without. While the right locale can truly make your heart sing, the wrong one does not condemn you to a miserable life. ( I’m talking about safe, reasonably well-populated areas with jobs and modern conveniences, not war zones or refugee camps.) Happiness is a choice, one we can make each day regardless of geography.

So what’s your opinion? Am I way off base? Do you long to leave the city or would you eat candle wax before becoming rural? Hop into the comments and share what you think!