Mark: You always leave the nicest comments! Having room to change is important; there’s nothing worse than feeling trapped.

NeimanMarxist: “Discerning”–absolutely. Fantastic term for it.

Vered: I’m so with you. I get sidetracked now and then, but that’s what it really comes down to.

Natural: You win the “Simplest Answer” award!

Schnauzer: I like your idea that’s important to focus on what’s important to you, and not on what’s wrong or extraneous.

Marelisa: You’re so welcome! Thanks for the inspiration.

Chase: I love it! I hadn’t considered living in the moment in my definition, but I love that addition.

David Y: Are you and Schnauzer one and the same? Either way, I love your simple answer.

Lance: I absolutely agree that simplicity is complex. It’s kind of freeing once you wrap your mind around it. Living simply doesn’t have to be a magic bullet, but it can be a great tool.

Cindi: What an inspiring answer!

Davina: I think your complications suit you well.

FP: Ooh, and you’re tied with Natural for the Simplest Answer award!

Chris: I think a certain level of simplicity goes out the window when kids are in the picture, whether in your home or at work (or both for you!). I hope at the end of day you have more simple days than otherwise.

Cath: When life is far from simple, that’s a good excuse to simplify in the places that aren’t as important. Your definition really speaks to that.

Mike: “And the rest I can make up as I go, and find on the way.” Now that’s a simple way to look at things.

Barbara: Letting go. Yes! Letting go (fully and sincerely) is so vital to actually enjoying a simpler life.

To me, simplicity is about letting go of that which is in the past, trying to live in the moment (whenever I can), having a plan for the future, and not being controlled by material possessions.

It’s what I can comfortably lug around, mentally and physically. It’s a suitcase and a rucksack of possessions, things I need to function as the person I’m working towards being.

I have a goal – and getting simplified is part of that. The goal is moving round Europe as a self-sustaining freelance writer for a few years. (Start date, pencilled in, is early 2010). For that, my possessions, finances and, well, my *head* – they all need to be simplified.

So it’s my basic needs (clothes, food, somewhere to live, a little entertainment) plus the needs of my job (somewhere with a ‘Net connection, my laptop, my phone, paper, pens etc.). And the rest I can make up as I go, and find on the way.

That’s simplicity for me right now. Later, when I settle down, it’ll all change, but right now, that’s my plan.

But simplicity to me would be stripping my life of clutter and meaningless things, so I can focus on what is important.