HOW TO DO LESS AND GET MORE: 6 WAYS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”
Quietude I & II
In the chaos of 21st century society and especially in the post-pandemic world, it is more important than ever for us to take care of our mental health. We have been conditioned to believe that busyness equals importance and that if we’re not doing everything at 100 miles per hour, spinning ALL the plates without smashing any and burning the candle at both ends (FOMO, anyone?) we are, at best, not worthy of our successes and, at worst, complete and utter failures.
It is one thing to find ourselves overwhelmed and stressed out just from the challenges of day to day life but these days we face additional pressure from comparisonitis. Consistently showing up on social media to present our ‘Instagrammable’ lifestyle or worrying if our kids/pets/house/car are smarter/cuter/bigger/more expensive than everyone else’s can leave us feeling totally exhausted and burnt out.
“The pandemic gave us all an enforced hiatus and if I’ve learned anything from it, it’s that we all just need to chill the f*ck out a bit more.”
Life is more fulfilling when we slow down and learn to live in the present moment. We learn to appreciate the simple things and develop greater awareness. Even urgent tasks can be carried out with more ease and less stress because we have clarity of thought.
However, the term ‘slow living’ doesn’t just refer to speed and the pace at which we do things and it need not be passive or indeed listless. It means embracing a simpler existence by curating your life to include more of what is important to you and letting go of what isn’t. It means taking pleasure in the little things and making decisions with intention. What it doesn’t mean is that you should give up luxuries and live like a monk but rather edit your life so that you can fully appreciate everything in it.
Here are six easy ways to implement slow living in to your daily life:
1. MONO-TASK
Multi-tasking is so unproductive. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly chasing your tail and getting nowhere, it’s likely because you are spreading yourself too thin. When you slow down and focus on one task at a time you are able to give it your full attention. This means it will get done properly and, more often than not, in less time than if you were trying to accomplish too many things at once. Don’t half-ass it. Be totally present and you’ll ultimately get more done.
2. GET OUT IN NATURE
If you find you’re becoming overwhelmed at the sheer pace of life it’s time to take a walk. Go outside, breathe in fresh air and get some sunshine. Forest-bathing is one of my favourite ways to unwind and more people are participating in open-water swimming. If these aren’t possible, simply walking barefoot on a patch of grass can instantly connect you to nature and help you to literally feel more grounded.
3. MEDITATE
One of the fastest-growing practices, meditation is no longer the reserve of monks and hippies. With everyone from Oprah to former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey raving about meditation, it’s no wonder it’s gone mainstream. The reason? It works!
Not only can it help with stress-related symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia, meditation can also increase productivity. There are many different types of meditation so you can easily find a style that suits you. I favour Vishen Lakhiani’s 6-phase or a mantra meditation in the morning and a silent or sound bowl one before bed. I also use my own technique of visual meditation for mindful moments throughout the day (see point 6).
4. LEARN TO SAY NO
Setting boundaries is an important part of the slow living lifestyle. By prioritising what is important and spending time only on what we actually want to as opposed to what we think we should, anxiety can be greatly reduced. At the end of the day, no will really care if you don’t go to that event or miss you if you spend a few days away from social media. Honestly.
5. LISTEN
The world is so noisy these days it is sometimes hard to hear yourself think but taking the time to listen allows you to hear the whispers that are guiding you. One of my favourite quotes from the Buddha is “quiet the mind and the soul will speak.” When you tune in to your inner GPS you are able to make better decisions and you might even discover your purpose!
6. LOOK AT SOME ART
Rather than spending time mindlessly scrolling social media or watching Netflix, give your eyes and your brain a bit of respite by mindfully gazing upon some beautiful art. Looking at art forces you in to stillness and enables you to be totally present. It also has proven scientific benefits to your wellbeing from increased dopamine production to lowering blood pressure. Having pieces that you love around your home will encourage you to engage in some mindful moments throughout your day.
Instead of curating a highlight reel of your life for social media, try making it the best it can be all the time. Decluttering your home and your mind by editing possessions, cutting out toxic people and being mindful of what you consume (both orally and visually) can give an enormous sense of contentment which ultimately makes for a more peaceful and authentic existence.
Kx