Zen HabitsSimple Productivity
The Art of Artlessness: On Living Simply and Naturally

Live simply. Photo from iStockPhoto.
“Simplicity is the essence of happiness.” - Cedric Bledsoe

Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.
A lot of the complexity in our lives come when we try to keep up certain appearances.

A simpler, happier life can be achieved when we drop those appearances and just live naturally, without pretense or artfulness.

Let me give you just a few examples:

There was a time when wardrobe was important to me — I wanted to impress my superiors and so I had lots of (fairly) expensive clothes. Now that I’ve decided I don’t need to keep up those appearances, I normally wear shorts and a T-shirt and sandals to all of my meetings. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not, and people can deal with me on those terms or not. I’m happier, and my wardrobe and life are simpler for it.
I’ve also decided that a huge, fancy house and beautiful luxury car are no longer important to me (not that I ever had either, but I did strive for them). Now I go for function, and I’m debt-free.
There was also a time when I tried to impress others with my knowledge, intelligence, competence. I’d try to show off, or take on more than I could handle, just to impress people. Now I worry less about this and instead just try to do the best I can in whatever I do. In the end, I’m more satisfied with the job I do, and with myself, and others seem to be happy with this as well.
Shaking off these pretenses, this atfulness, results in simplicity. It’s when we try to hold up the pretenses that things get complex. We’re also less honest, and less true to ourselves.

Learn to live a simpler, more natural life, and drop the pretenses one at a time. You’ll be glad you did.

A few ideas to get you started:

Dress: Do your clothes aim to impress? Do you have to keep a complicated, expensive wardrobe to maintain this image? How can you shed this need to impress, and just dress simply and functionally instead? I’m not saying you need to dress in rags (or wear sandals, as I do). But if you decide that you don’t need to impress anyone, you can drop a lot of your wardrobe “needs” and simplify things tremendously.
Grooming: I no longer worry about grooming as much as I once did. Now I have a shaved head, and my grooming tools are down to a reasonable minimum: soap, razor and shaving cream, deodorant, electric trimmer (for the hair). I don’t need hair products, aftershave, a comb, or many other grooming products. Of course, not everyone is going to shave their head, but going for a more natural look could simplify things: stop trying to look a certain way, and you can cut back on the number of grooming products and tools you use and keep.
Language: I know lots of people who use “impressive” language, often full of jargon or academic-speak or geek-speak. Well, that might impress some, but knowledgeable people know that you’re covering up a lack of real competence with complicated language. Speak simply, with plain language, and your real intelligence will shine through. You’ll also communicate better — a plus in my book.
Decorating: Almost every home I visit is filled with decorative things, perhaps meant to impress or convey a certain message about the home. I find that the simple, natural look is better — subtract as much as you can, until you are left with a minimum of simple, beautiful things. For example, my walls are covered by only three pieces of art (all done by my dad). Everything else in my house is functional furniture — no decorative anything.
Gifts: When we try to impress and keep up appearances, we can end up spending a lot of money on gifts, especially around the holidays but also on birthdays and other occasions. And while I think it’s great to show someone that you care with a gift, does it really need to be expensive? Can’t something home-made, or consumable, be just as nice? Or perhaps you can do something nice for someone, like a massage or chores or babysitting? Keep things simple, but show you care.
Work: Don’t do things at work to impress — you’ll end up doing things that are artificial and false, and often stretch too far and fail, or at least show your shortcomings. While there’s nothing wrong with having shortcomings (who doesn’t have them?), you should aim instead to do the best you can, not because you want to impress but because you want to feel good about the job you’ve done.
Transportation: Forget about an impressive car — go for minimalism and function. I have a van because I need one (yes, I have 6 kids, and yes, I know that’s not keeping things simple), but if you only need a tiny car, go for that. Or maybe you don’t need a car at all — can public transportation or a bike suffice? I’ve been walking more, for transportation, because I no longer worry about what people will think of me when I’m the only one in my town who walks places. As a result, I get more exercise, and I enjoy the outdoors more. Oh, and I help conserve resources a little more.
Devices: Do you have to have the latest and greatest gadget (the iPhone, the Palm Pre, the Android), not because you need it but because you want to show people you have it? I’ve done this many times. I bought a Macbook Air, telling myself that I needed a laptop (which I did) and that the Air was the best functional device for me because it was light and a Mac and fairly minimalist in function (I only need it for writing and Internet). But really I just loved its sleek and minimalist design. Pretension, not simplicity. Drop the pretension and get only what you need. (Btw, I don’t regret getting the Air — I really love using it and it works beautifully for my needs.)
There are many more ways you can live a simpler life by dropping artfulness in different areas. What areas have you changed by dropping pretenses? What areas would you like to change? Share in the comments!

“If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, then this is the best season of your life.” - Wu-Men

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June152009 at 6:28 am 145 brilliant comments
Bamboo Forest - PunIntended May282009 at 12:16 am
My comment on dress:

I gotta be honest. I’ve gotten so many stains on so many of my clothes that this has only led to me caring even less about the clothes I own.

Sure… I like nice clothes and all. But give me a few nice things and then I’m done. I don’t need to keep adding to an otherwise nice wardrobe.
Derek May282009 at 12:17 am
If only all people viewed decoration the way you do… When I bought my place, I aimed to keep it decoration-free — I wanted every item to serve a specific function.

Take a guess what I ended up with…

A clear desk, a comfortable couch, green plants, and the ability to pack a majority of my stuff into a 2-door Honda Civic. What a great feeling.
Tristan Rayner | The New Man Of Action May282009 at 12:19 am
On dressing - I like to wear clothes for myself!

A suit makes me feel important, I feel like working, I stand tall, I work harder. I’m not wearing to impress, I’m wearing clothes that suit purpose and mood.

I like clothes to emulate what I want to achieve on that day.

Great tips on transportation, devices and feeling good about your work.
Leo May282009 at 12:23 am
@Tristan: Good! I am not saying we should all wear shorts and a T-shirt … just be aware of your reasons and if they’re to impress or make certain appearances to others, consider dropping those pretenses. If they’re for you — that’s a good reason.
Bamboo Forest - PunIntended May282009 at 12:23 am
@ Derek: That sounds wonderful living with only the essentials. I like your philosophy. I too aim for such simplicity. It’s easier on the mind. It’s also easier when you gotta clean up. Win-win situation, for sure.
Another Leo May282009 at 12:28 am
All in all, great points.

In some cases, you are constrained by your circumstances. When it comes to dress, for example, you may be confined by what is allowable or required by your employer. Even then, I find it helps to wear the things that fell good to you, within the given parameters. I find bright colors make me feel stronger, happier, and more resourceful. When I wear muted colors or even as simple as white shirts, I feel plain.

The one I need to work on most is the work portion. I find that I keep repeating the same pattern - working so hard to show what I can do that I become a lynchpin. Responsibility keeps piling up until the stress of keeping the balls in the air takes away the joy of accomplishment.

I wonder how many people fall into this trap - and more importantly, how many find a way out?
christine May282009 at 12:33 am
Hi, i really do like your tips on living simply. any thought on how to de-clutter a house that you have inherited without hurting family members? all my own places up to this point have been simply decorated with what means something to me..now i have a house full!!
Audrey May282009 at 12:33 am
I can check off 1-7 of the listed suggestions. My clothes are simple, I stopped paying for expensive haircuts, I speak like the average person…I still drive around in my 10-year old Honda with no intentions of getting rid of it. However, #8 is still in question. I’ve been living within my means for some time now, but I am very tempted to purchase a new device–the Palm Pre. I know I don’t need it, but I feel like I owe myself a present. Odds are, I’ll probably NOT get it because I’m afraid of spending that much money.

Good post Leo!
Tracy May282009 at 12:33 am
Gifts were a hard one for me; I realized how many gifts I was giving out of obligation so as not to look bad or cheap. The thing is, I’m sure most of those gifts were shoved away in a closet somewhere or regifted because I didn’t know enough about the person to choose something that they’d really need. And in turn, I’ve received so many gifts that I felt were just given just because the giver felt they should - it’s crazy, but it’s also hard to be the first one to not give.

It’s also amazing how many people are receptive to it and maybe even grateful if you say hey, how about this year we don’t do a big gift swap. I think a great many people aren’t materialistic or pretentious, they just don’t want to disappoint or look bad to people that they might need to impress.
John May282009 at 12:33 am
Now this is what people should be reading at my school. Where I go, everyone is egotistical and everyone is trying so hard to look and sound smart. I on the other hand, follow the notion of simplicity described here. Why try to be somebody that you’re not? Who are you trying to impress?

More people definitely should read this. Thanks for the post.
Carolyn - A Beautiful Ripple Effect May282009 at 12:35 am
I love the term, artfulness and artlessness. In 2008 (and most of my 24 years), I’ve never questioned living a life in which the goal was artfulness. I had an all or nothing mentality and as a result achieved a great deal, but at the cost of living an authentic life. Over the past year or so, I realized that I had to make a choice: my character (my inner self) or my image (my artfulness). Which was more essential to me? I reached a point where I had to choose to protect the “me” in all of this.

I’m not sure if that’s really a good response to what you’re asking, but I think my realization was that my self worth was much greater than the worth placed upon extrinsic rewards.
Tristan Rayner | The New Man Of Action May282009 at 12:41 am
@Leo - I’m not nearly good looking enough to even consider making a a grand impression ;-)
Matthew | Polaris Rising May282009 at 12:50 am
I live life very simply. But I also have artlessless about artlessness. So I have some clothes with zing that really get noticed in addition to a lot of basic stuff. Why not? There’s actually nothing more pretentious than someone who tries incredibly hard to *not* be pretentious!
Dusan Vlahovic May282009 at 12:52 am
What a great post, i think about this everyday, that if i¡m doing something it’s for me and my need or to show and impress someone? I have found that simplyfing everything makes everything simpler! (doh!). You just gotta be yourself and be happy with that.
David Turnbull May282009 at 12:58 am
3 things:

1. Loving the new design - definitely fits more with the zenhabits.net vibe.
2. This has to be one of my favorite posts on the blog so far. I’ve definitely opted for simplicity, although I still have quite a lot of “stuff” lying around which I have to get rid of.
3. I’ve just finished reading the Tao Teh Ching and am working my way through Walden: Or, Life in the Woods. Two books with a great focus on simplicity.

:-)
Leo May282009 at 1:01 am
@christine: I’ve moved into a house full of stuff from other family members. I could not stand the clutter, so I put it all in storage areas.

You might hurt some feelings but really you need to set your own boundaries. If you aren’t cool with all their stuff, you have to make that clear as nicely as you can.
Nelia May282009 at 1:06 am
Hmmmmm.

#3 (big words). Guilty as charged.

#1 (wardrobe) & #2 (car). Difficult. Sometimes guilty. Sometimes not. There’s no question that I enjoy profiling. And since profiling requires an audience, it reeks of pretense. As such, the “profile” justification is reluctantly dispensable and ultimately undesired.

But I also enjoy outstanding design. Certain aesthetics just put me in a zen-ful state. And this exercise of appreciating design is purely internal. As such, the “appreciation” justification may be dispensable, but it is greatly desired.

So I’ll agree with the removal of pretense. But keep the artfulness.
Ellen Ska May282009 at 1:06 am
Christine, how about asking the family over to put dibs on whatever they want to take home with them that day? Anything not taken means THEY DON’T WANT IT EITHER. Then you’re free to dispose of it. Your home cannot be their Museum of the Past.
Now, what about the magpie items I myself have collected and like, but have way too much of…?
AwakeningEntrepreneur.com May282009 at 1:53 am
Agree, a lot of complexity in our lives is because we make things complex…
Chris - ZTF May282009 at 1:54 am
A lot of people find having the latest gadgets like an iPhone are just to show of when in fact the thing makes my life a lot easier. It allows me to browse the web, pickup e-mails and listen to my music and podcasts easily on the go all in one device. A real swiss army knife of phones!
I have also take to a far more minimalist wardrobe. I dress in what I am comfortable in and love having the bare minimum to dress in. This makes life so much easier each morning knowing a few of your favorite items and sticking with them. The truth is others don’t care or notice what your wearing, they are usually thinking of other things or themselves…..
Mark Foo | TheBigDreamer.com May282009 at 1:54 am
Hi Leo,

Great post! As usual… :)

I’d like to suggest one more pretense to drop:

Friends

OK, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you should not have friends or you should have as few friends as possible.

I just don’t understand why some people are so keen on being ’seen’ with a particular person or group of people. The only reason I can think of is they think it makes them more cool. They mix with the bunch to ‘impress’. That to me is so… Duh…

Cheers~

Mark
Alison | Quest for Balance May282009 at 2:04 am
I decided awhile ago that most “stuff” isn’t worth the energy I trade for it (at work). There’s a certain power in realizing this.
Amy Crook May282009 at 2:09 am
I love the idea of this, but there’s another level of pretension to watch out for, too — oversimplicity, paring down past your comfort zone just for the sake of being simple. A home without beautiful, fun, strange and interesting objects would be sterile and false to me.

It’s a hard line to draw, between cluttered and cherished, but I don’t feel like I need to get rid of my stuff until it loses the ability to make me smile.

It probably helps that very few people see my house, anyway - I don’t decorate for them, but for me.
Astrorat May282009 at 2:16 am
Good stuff here, having less means much more freedom. It amazes me how people don’t realize just how much they pay to keep things they don’t need around. I do agree with the family objects, if others don’t want them why should we keep them for someone else who probably won’t want them either?
NZ via UK May282009 at 2:46 am
As William Morris famously said “Have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”.
A good philosophy to live by.
mini May282009 at 2:47 am
this was a great post
i wish i had such simple life
but i m working towards it
language…………… i m guilty sometimes of that
but though my wardrobe is messy its just what i like n need
no extras
Sara May282009 at 3:10 am
LANGUAGE YES!!! I remember the day when I realized that many of the modern philosophers who use big words are just SPEWING jargon and have no point. Some are actually smart, but most of the time if you DO have a point you use basic English to get the point across clearly, not big words to make it sound good. There is a big lesson to learn here for anyone in academia. This was a great thing to realize as a philosophy major.

As someone who is gadget obsessed I really struggle with #8. I always want the latest gadgets but I have been really good about not getting them for myself until I find a reason I DO need it.
Peter May282009 at 3:15 am
@Tristan

I agree on both Tristan and Leo.
As I’m sitting at my home office desk right now, I’m wearing shorts, a t-shirt and running shoes.
The reason I wear those shoes, is that i feel more energetic in those. Wearing a certain kind of cloth or using a certain kind of equipment creates a specific kind of mindset or mood for me.
I believe a lot more things can be a lot more fun if you have the right equipment.

As I’m sitting at home the shirt serves me with having no disturbing sleeves to worry about.
In the outside world thou a suit can serve well to create the effect Tristan was describing.
Above that, people do treat you differently. That doesn’t say that you need to impress them
but it might make things a lot less complicated and easier. Isn’t that a little bit of simplicity right there afterall?
Hope.smarty21 May282009 at 4:32 am
Hi Leo,

Your content is very simple yet interesting. We often come across people who pretend to know everything but in reality are shallow.
There are very few blogs I am hooked to, and yours is one of it. My friend has another. Read it and you will fall in love with her writings.
Aslaug May282009 at 4:45 am
Re the decorating, 2 pieces of advice that are useful if you have too many knick-knacks and heirlooms:

1) Rotate the things you do love. Not everything has to be on display all the time. Keep some in a box or drawer and every time you do a big clean-out switch them out. Or when the seasons change.

2) If you don’t love it but feel bad about letting it go (the heirloom thing, ususally) take a picture of it and then let it go. The picture will still bring back memories of great-grandma and getting rid of the object does not mean getting rid of her memory.

I’ve found that having my walls colorful (I have red, pink, green and yellow - light shades except for the red) and furniture bright (striped couch, red dining chairs) means there is little need for hanging artwork I don’t adore, since everything is already cheerful and pretty.
(”they” told me the colorful walls would get old fast, but it’s been 4 years and I still love walking into my house)

Gifts: Having a huge family and always some occasion or other going on, I have a strict spending limit on gifts. I’m also slowly trying to cut out holiday gifts, by making deals with certain people (to not-gift) and giving a family present(usually edible) rather than individual ones. I do put thought into my gifts and usually people are very happy with what the get, but I try not to spend too much (for example $10-20 limit on most birthday and holiday gifts).

I love this post by the way, some great ideas here. My bookmarks on this site have now merited their own folder and it keeps getting bigger (I may need to simplify it…).
Eukeni Acebal May282009 at 5:08 am
Hi everybody:
I’m just thinking alud.
Does it make any sense to write without end about simplicity given that you always talk about cutting down things to the bare minimum?
I mean: is really that complex to speak about simplicity? If you, Leo, manage a blog about simplicity, what’s the point of an ever growing list of posts?
I’ve been following your blog intertmittently. Long enough to percieve that the topics you develop there are very similar. They usually contain lists of things we could do to mantain things simple.
So, I’m doing you a proposal here: why not to write the real basics of every topic you like and just keep reducing and cutting text to the minimum? If a happy, new idea flourishes on you, instead of writing a new post you could just make it fit in the old ones by replacing the outdated stuff or just adding it. This would be a real simple way to deliver information to your readers, simplifiying their own ways to approach you work.
Writing once and again about the same thing doesn’t really simplify it. It just piles clutter on the matter.
As I said before, I’m just thinking aloud.
Nice work, anyway!

[I hope my reply doesn't sound hard at all, but I'm not an english native speaker and I may say things not in the smoothest way just because of my ignorance]
Volker May282009 at 5:10 am
Hello,

Very nice post. However, may I ask what you work as?

If I turned up in a job with sandals, shorts and t-shirt I would no be able to do my job. Whilst I understand and admire your optimism and attitude, I really question the conformity with society.

Of course the latter is what you are trying to avoid, however is that not what keeps us going - job, money?

You know these old sayings: If I had all the money in the world…..but it is not about money, it is about freedom. And, I believe that freedom is the key - but how to achieve freedom/independence?

Thanks.

Love and Kindness
Volker
sarah May282009 at 5:22 am
All the points made are fantastic. I have always been a firm believer in living with essentials and cutting back on the unnecessary.

But then I got married and now have 7 kids. Having thrown out everything from my own childhood as ‘nostalgic rubbish’ I’m loathe to get rid of anything they make for me. I’m on suitcase number 3 of ‘collectables and memorabilia’. Cards, letters, pictures, poems, post-its left on the fridge door that simply say “i love mama more than muffins”. I’ve managed to take pictures and tactfully dispose of rockets, submarines, giant collages and wooden stick dolls (mostly to eager grandparents),

I’m drowning in paperloads of love!
Laurie | Express Yourself to Success May282009 at 5:26 am
Getting all the peer pressure motivators out of our lives can simplify a lot. Looking at the happiness value in something has had a huge impact on what I own but, more specifically, what I don’t.

Great post, Leo.
Positively Present May282009 at 5:33 am
LOVE the ideas here. Some of them I’ve considered, others I haven’t thought much about. As always, I really appreciate the wisdom you share on this site.
HallOfMaat May282009 at 6:03 am
I discovered chic Swedish Style of minimalist clothing online this year - very difficult to purchase in the USA.
It appears that when it comes to apparel - there is a Designer conspiracy to keep one repeatedly purchasing….

For years my son called me Goth because I would wear so much black. So, this year I purposely purchased trendy colours but am very uncomfortable wearing them.

Returning to black this fall to be true to myself - most comfortable using colour only to accessorize AND I won’t need so many articles of clothing.
C. Aksoy May282009 at 6:29 am
What about the people in our lives? One can be lavish about being social too. Many times, you end up spending a chunk of your day with someone (friends or relatives) just because you can’t say no or you think it’s right to meet with that person finally because you’ve been postponing the meeting for a while. Since I became selective and minimalistic about the time I spend with acquaintances and stopped seeing people just for the sake of being social or nice, I’ve been feeling much better. I spend more time with those I really care for, and I really enjoy it. I especially refrain from getting together with friends or relatives who are pessimists and who drain my energy either with ceaseless complaints, self-pity or gossip. I think it’s a sickness of our times to be in constant need for company.
themaphabit May282009 at 6:43 am
That’s it! I’m wearing shorts and a t-shirt into work today and they can just deal with it (haha kidding).

I really liked this post and especially the fact that you continue to make these lifestyle choices when you have the means to do otherwise. I sometimes wonder how I would behave and what choices I would make if I had more free time and money.

I really liked this post and just added a link to it on my latest.

Thanks again Leo,

Gavin
marie May282009 at 6:59 am
For women, the clothes thing is even worse. I personally own 4 pairs of pants, and 7 blouses/sweaters, that all go with each other. They are all dressy enough for the dress code at work, and I don’t care if somebody thinks I wear the same stuff too often. I would say that 3/4 of the women at my work follow similar guidelines. However, there are a few women who never seem to wear the same clothes twice, and who insist on dressing a lot fancier than is needed: fancy dresses, suits. At some point, people around them realize that they are simply putting on a show.
Greg at Live Fit May282009 at 7:03 am
There’s a lot to be said for the spirit of this post, but I’ll play counterpoint here. It’s one thing to be pretentious, and another completely to be practical.

Take the clothing example. Most of us continue to work in corporate environments where we must exist within the unspoken (or sometimes spoken) rules of social acceptability. Like it or now, we must acknowledge that the perception of our coworkers is shaped by our appearance.

Does that mean we need to wear expensive clothes? Heck no! I don’t. But it does mean we have to meet some level of conformance. Sandals wouldn’t cut it where I work, unfortunately.
Komimis May282009 at 7:03 am
Actually i believe that you have to find the Golden Mean in all this.

Due to the modern lifestyle in most things you have to be complicating but the trick is/should be to keep it simple inside your mind :)
Liz May282009 at 7:11 am
I found lots of good ideas here, and they made me think of another that can simplify your life - honesty. I once worked with a partner who insisted that to have credibility in our business we needed to have psuedonyms and set up an elaborate pretense of being bigger than we were. Well, it got us into trouble several times when we had unexpected visits from clients, and life was very complicated as I was always trying to figure out who I was at that particular time.

I’ve always been a compulsive truth teller in my personal life and now I do the same in business. Even if you think it is easier to tell a “white lie” at the time, it will make your life more complicated in the long run as you try to keep up that pretense.
Nick Wright May282009 at 7:27 am
Hi, been reading for a while, today I had to comment too.

I am a huge proponent of simple living. My wife and I have been walking this path for many years now.

What prompted me to comment was your use of the word “artful.”

It seems to me that you are using it to denote the act of purchasing an expensive item to meet a perceived need. But to me that is the very opposite of “artful.”

In my opinion, it is much more artful to find creative solutions to meet the need, specifically solutions in which you provide it with your own hands or do without.

I find little “art” in factory-made suits or cars.
prufock May282009 at 7:58 am
Every time I read about how many kids you have, I wonder if “Have fewer kids” will one day appear on your simple living lists.
Mikha'el May282009 at 7:59 am
Leo,
Just read your post right before entering work. Would love to be wearing shorts, flip flops and unshaven today but can’t with where I work. Your posts are always enlightening and bring a sense of cheer even on the days when the “dress code” rule wins. In my mind I can keep things simple and will work on the points you bring up on language and work. Can’t rid of the blackberry as I am enjoying it too much though. Thanks for the writing you do…it’s inspiring
Lisis | Quest For Balance May282009 at 8:00 am
I wish everyone would follow your suit and realize that clothes, houses, furniture, cars, and all sorts of consumer things are really just tools to make our lives a little easier.

We really don’t need the latest and greatest, or the most expensive anything, do we?

I’m with you… 100% basics at home, no second car (just my husband’s work car), no fancy anything. I’ve gotta say, it feels pretty nice.
Lisis | Quest For Balance May282009 at 8:04 am
@Prufock: I was just thinking that having more kids is not necessarily less simple. Sometimes the older ones help with the younger ones or with household chores, and they all entertain eachother.

I have ONE son… which means he wants my attention for a good portion of each day. Sometimes I wish he had a sibling or two (or five) to play with so I can get things done.

;-)
Tony Grogan May282009 at 8:26 am
I would love to “impress” everyone that I am doing almost all of the above to create a simpler, Zen lifestyle. And actually I have naturally tended to follow these ideas for many years. My wife also is a very simple minded person, although she does tend to collect things, mostly of our kids, more than I do. But that’s OK too, she has to put up with me.

But to be truthful, the economy is pushing me deeper into this than I would do myself. I have always been a farily simple person. Basic clothes, hair cut that does not require styling, my house has always been basic(currently in a 50 year old ranch, we’ve owned and lived in it for 20 years), my vehicles have been very utilitarian, and always bought used, most devices over the years were mostly refurbished or clearance items.

Now my clothes are either yard sale or thrift store items. We may actually lose the house if things don’t turn around soon. All our vehicles have 100k miles on them, well the ones we have not been forced to sell. My hair may not get cut this year. Cable is gone, cell phones will be gone at end of contract. I work like there is no tomorrow, not to impress, just to keep the 50% of my income I have left. We’re back to dial-up. We are growing some of our own food. We have put our three teenagers to work for their own spending money.

Not belly aching, just stating facts. We live an awesome life, we enjoy God’s creation, we serve God, we serve others, we will survive even if we lose it all. God never promised an easy life, but He did promise that He would supply our every need(not wants or desires).
John-o May282009 at 8:29 am
@ Bamboo Forest: I love the “stain on your clothes” reasoning for not buying flashy/expensive clothes. I use similar reasoning to not buy a fancy.

The anger/frustration one gets from staining an expensive shirt, or finding their Audi has been dented by a shopping cart can easily be avoided.
Louis Dizon May282009 at 8:47 am
I have few clothes but I make sure that each and every single one of them suits me and my personality. I usually wear T-shirt and jeans. My footwear is usually a pair of flip-flops or sneakers. I like wearing clothes that will provide comfort rather than style.

Great post Leo. Simplicity is really a good thing to keep in mind. It makes things easier and seem lighter.
Vi | Maximizing Utility May282009 at 8:51 am
Much of what you mention here (clothes, grooming, home decor) can be boiled down to personal style. Personal style should be exactly that — personal. For you, this means T-shirt, shorts, & sandals. That says something about the person you are, the values you believe in, and your personality. Thanks for reminding all of us to seek our own personal style. I enjoyed the post.
Mardi DeBerry May282009 at 9:15 am
It’s been a great relief to me to be able to let go of a lot of the superficiality that complicated my life. But I think it’s a little cynical to say that people decourate their houses in order to impress others. I think most people fill their homes with the things that they like.
Lou Lou May282009 at 9:36 am
I absolutely love this entry into the blog. I am so glad someone is saying things like this and letting us all feel that it’s ok to feel this way.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Kasmin May282009 at 9:40 am
I live by most of what you advise. A lot of it has to do with living in a country (India) where:
- most people are vegetarian
- processed and artificial and fast foods have still not completely taken over natural foods and traditional cooking methods
- more people walk than use transportation
- gadgets are believed to make life faster, not easier
- sandalwood oil and eucalyptus leaves still score over (and work better than) beauty creams
- a cup of tea beats a Red Bull as a refresher
Megan@Simple Kids May282009 at 10:01 am
I absolutely love the phrasing “artfulness” and “artlessness.” Perfect descriptions!

I don’t have any decorating sense. Truly, anything that looks nice in our home, my husband has chosen. I used to worry that our home didn’t have a clear “design aesthetic.” Then we had children and I became one of those parents who thinks the artwork created by my girls is far superior to anything hanging in the Met. One entire wall is dedicated to their art, and I love it because I let go of trying to live as someone I am not (a woman gifted with understanding of decor). A nice bonus is that we gotten rid of all the dust-catchers that represented my futile attempts at impressive decor.

For me, the amount of time I spend in materialism-driven settings (like the mall) increases my striving for artfulness and blocks the voice that speaks of artlessness. It never occurs to me to be unsatisfied with my pared-down wardrobe until a walk past dozens of store windows reminds me of all that I do not have. I am a happier, healthier person when I steer clear of dissatisfaction traps like those.
Kimberly May282009 at 10:04 am
I appreciate this post–I think the area of my life that I need to simplify is actually my blog. I try to post about urban planning a lot, and I simply don’t know enough about it. My readership has been dropping. I’ve looked at the most popular posts on my blog, and they’re the ones earlier on when I just wrote what I was thinking. I wasn’t trying to show off knowledge or writing skills, I was just expressing myself.

I never would have guessed that. Why don’t I just write what I know and stop trying to gain popularity?
Wil May282009 at 10:07 am
I think going out is something that gets too much emphasis. So many people feel they’ve got to be doing something at all times with all different kinds of people.

I like to keep socializing to a minimum. I find it makes my time alone more enjoyable and the time I choose to take with others also more enjoyable.

Also, going out or socializing doesn’t have to be something wild and/or expensive. I’ve been sober for almost 10 years, so obviously that has had an effect on my socializing, but I have come to know myself better and realized choosing simple things to do or things that have a personal touch for myself and others are the most satisfying.
texafornia May282009 at 10:11 am
I think it’s called maturity and wisdom. Don’t waste time worrying about what others think. Do what’s right and take care of what’s important. Good post.
Laurie May282009 at 10:15 am
Love your comments Kasmin! Since living in Germany after living in the San Francisco area, I have slowly adapted to a much simpler, European-city lifestyle. I don’t have a car, most people walk or take public transportation. I shop at farm stands for local food, there are no home-decorating stores urging me to redecorate ythe home each season, clothes are quality and simple so they last for seasons, and friends meet often to chat and drink tea or coffee. Recycling is so huge here that there is not much waste or extra packaging. But Leo, I do love my Art of Life- an inspiring, creative home filled with art made by me, my child, and my friends.
Steve Otto | Ubervice May282009 at 10:25 am
Its important to just be yourself. I’ve heard it said that so many of our purchases are to buy things we don’t need, with money we don’t have, to impress people we don’t even like.

Being content with what you have is so important. I noticed with myself its easy to get into a ‘mood’. Like a spending mood, or materialistic mood. But I can also learn to get myself into a content and thankful mood.
MS Scientist May282009 at 10:25 am
Leo-

Firstly, I have to say that I like what you’ve done with the page!

Secondly, I have to ask: How exactly did you go from caring about what other people thought about your intelligence and competence, to not worrying as much?

I am a scientist, but I like speaking simply and appreciate when others do the same. I struggle, however, with appearing to lack capacity, or simply looking stupid. I would love nothing more than to be able to shed this burden. It literally hinders my progress, because I am always second guessing my ideas in fear that they would make me look stupid.

Can you give suggestions on practical exercizes for developing better habits in this area?
all as one May282009 at 10:34 am
I like to think we are all a bunch of bananas, laugh at that but also think about it for a second. On the outside designer brands, etc- when you get to the flesh we are all the same-mushy and sweet sometimes over ripe, sometimes not ripe enough, sometimes perfect to what ever that illusion might be. Clutter-bad it leaves too many layers to find whats underneath. Makeup for me- it get’s all over my face, never stays on my eyes because I’m a way too mushy banana. Cars I love my subaru not too flashy get’s the job done will never sell it. Clothes my problem and is going along with my weight issue right now- eating very healthy but having a few image things going on with me. To me I cook because I really like to, I like making interesting things but sometimes I eat when I’m not hungry but I also know I eat to comfort myself and others. Listening is what I need to do more of in that area. “Come to think of it, my fat is the outside layer of my true banana!” I’ve lost my mind for sure now.
Baker @ ManVsDebt May282009 at 10:35 am
I’m late to the party today, but this is really my favorite type of work from you.

We leave to move across the globe to Australia in just 9 days. We’ve sold 90% of our possesions (which means adapting minimalist wardrobes). I’ve shaved my head and my wife even chopped off her hair (not shaved) to have thing be more simple when we are traveling.

I’m bookmarking this post and referring to it as we get closer to crunch time. Thanks!
Cyd May282009 at 10:37 am
These are my favorite posts, the ones focusing on simplicity. Some of the more specific ones don’t relate to my life, but every time I read your take on simplicity and mindfulness I am inspired. Thank you, Leo.
prufock May282009 at 10:39 am
@Lisis:
Maybe there’s a law of diminishing returns on the complexity from having kids: each one adds less complexity than the last. But I still think having one 12-year-old would be less complex than having one 12-year-old AND one 4-year-old.

Of course, the simplest option would be to have no kids, but some people value reproduction or family above simplicity :)
kate May282009 at 10:40 am
The language thing kind of bugs me. I don’t think you should throw out the $5 words just to make an impression on people (or to make them feel stupid), but dumbing down your speech to make others comfortable as opposed to speaking at the level your own language skills lie is kind of ridiculous. Language is something I personally love and I like knowing what words mean and what roots they have. I read a lot and I like the way “impressive” words sound as much as simple words. I get the point dealing with effective communication, but why should anyone have to consciously avoid using appropriate words just because you’re afraid the other person won’t understand you? Maybe that’s incentive for them to to continue learning. When I come across something I don’t understand, I try to learn more about it. Dumbing things down takes away some challenges that aren’t bad for you.
Ali May282009 at 10:41 am
Leo - you continue to impress and inspire. Thanks for always giving me something to think about.
Jameson May282009 at 10:42 am
Philistine…
HallOfMaat May282009 at 10:47 am
Replying 2 comment by C. Aksoy
” I think it’s a sickness of our times to be in constant need for company.”

ABSOLUTELY!
It appears there is an aspect of OCD and addiction with One that has this intense need to be continuously
“Connected” to “Others”.
(Psychoanalyze these behaviours and write a book.)

In this Internet Age One is more Interconnected with Humanity Yet more Disconnected from Humanity than ever before - Oxymoronic Conundrum.

NOTICE In Future
How many people dial out on their cell phones as soon as they get into their cars and begin driving OR when waiting at a red light begin texting - they become TOTALLY OBLIVIOUS to their driving responsibilities. Yesterday in the middle of a busy 4way intersection, a pedestrian fiddling with their Blackberry walked right out in front of our vehicle - had I not already noted their
“Mentally Absent” behaviour and warned our driver -
they would have been roadkill.

One cannot help but wonder…advancement in Evolution?!!
Beestie May282009 at 10:47 am
Nice article. I’m calmer just for reading it! :-)

I would add that a lot of clutter is a reflection of our mental state. I find that when I can de-clutter/simplify my mind, my self-image, my inner demons, etc. then the clutter in my life (that I didn’t notice before) now stands out and is a lot easier to address (simplify).

The pic you have chosen is just perfect for the article. A man at peace with himself and at peace with his world.
san May282009 at 10:56 am
MS Scientist,

I’m in the same boat as you. How others perceive me concerns me a lot. Soon that I’m going to grad school, I don’t know how to cope up with this.

Leo,

Would appreciate if you could write a post on this.
Colleen May282009 at 11:03 am
Wow, I was doing that this whole time and didn’t even know it. That makes me feel pretty good.
However I have too much clutter, but that will change when I move.
May May282009 at 11:11 am
I agree in general, but not specifics. To me part of living simply is living beautifully and enhancing the environment I’m in either by plants or art. Part of honoring myself is wearing simple to care for, but colorful and elegant clothing and I’m a wordsmith so sometimes a big word is the only one that seems right. But overwhelmingly I find that the more I get rid of the excess unneeded bits of my life, I am much more at peace and joyful.
Mel May282009 at 11:11 am
Thanks for this Leo!

I did have one problem though. Does the path to artlessness lead you away from the art of expression. I use both my dress and decoration of my house to express who I am. These two aspects of my life have the function of expressing my identity to others. I dont do this through expense, flair or ‘bling’ just things that people know is ‘me’. I feel this is really important to my happiness.

That said, I found this article very helpful especially the part about work as that is the one place I feel my aim is to impress rather than just be.
katie May282009 at 11:30 am
six kids! i’m impressed. i have three and would love to have more but i haven’t learned how to simplify and manage the chaos.
wendy May282009 at 11:41 am
It’s funny how everything is connected. I am in the process of deprogramming myself to not psychologically need “things” and “stuff.” I’m doing pretty good so far, but I do have a set back once in a while and feel like I “need” something when I really don’t, then I just feel guilty for getting it. I try to live by this rule: if I want to buy something I must wait one week. Usually by the time the week is up I don’t even want it anymore and would rather have that money in my savings account. Eventually I will rid myself of all the useless stuff and things that I have accumulated over the years. It will be freeing!
DiscoveredJoys May282009 at 11:44 am
Good post, I’m well on the way to decluttering the house (although I’m temporarily stalled with a very cluttered double garage)!

One comment I would make is to point out the value of buying quality clothes or gadgets. Quality does not necessarily mean expensive, but it does mean well specified to meet the requirements. I have recently bought a new digital camera (photography is part of my hobby) to replace the old one - which was good quality 6 years ago, and has lasted well, but is now getting worn.

Similarly, cheap clothes are a waste of money - I’d sooner have a few well made clothes… My latest idea is that whenever I buy a new shirt (for instance), I’ll quickly buy another one or two if it becomes clear that they are destined to become ‘favourites’. This is because if you go back to the store a year later you can no longer get an identical one. Full disclosure: I’m typing while wearing my favourite shirt, it’s faded and 7 years old, but I can’t find any more that fit as well, with the right pockets and so on. It wasn’t expensive either, just good quality for a casual shirt.
sarah May282009 at 11:49 am
fantastic post Leo! very inspiring!
Erika Block May282009 at 11:50 am
Leo, I’m glad you clarified in the comments: “If they’re for you — that’s a good reason.” I think, for any reasonably perceptive person, it’s easy to spot someone who is living for themselves or living for others.

If you inherited an art collection with sentimental value, or you collect something you love because you’re inspired just being around it, don’t eliminate that from your life for simplicity’s sake. If you have that collection purely for pride of ownership, or to boast its value to others, let it go. The same can be said for homes, cars, clothes… If it’s within your means, and it adds value to your life in an unspoiled way, it’s not pretentious.
diane May282009 at 11:57 am
I agree with marie, clothes are harder for women.
Personnally, I blame the SHOES! Different heels require different paint lenghts. This really complicates the wardrobe.

And here in canada, dont forget the change of season! If you are doing a high heel indoors, you will need a high heel boot for outside.

HIgh heels were giving me leg pains and foot pain but i still wore them because it is suppose to look professional and attractive.

After reading a few articles on this website, i decided to ditch the darn high heels! I invested in good quality, comfortable flats and shortened almost all my paints so i can wear them with the flats. I now realize i have enough paints to last me a lifetime!

Thank you for giving me the courage to be myself and stand up to the fashion industry.
Shannon May282009 at 11:57 am
My solution regarding required office attire clothing has been to adopt the mix-and-match approach. I have four pairs of slacks very basic styles and colors (black, tan, navy, grey.) and a simple black skirt. Then, I have 4 - 5 blouses/sweaters in brighter shades, which can be worn with any of the bottom pieces. This gives me many combinations with only a few items of clothing. These combinations also all look fine with a pair of black shoes, thus eliminating the need for oodles of shoes cluttering my closet. Another tip for the ladies: if you live in a colder climate like I do here in Canada, trouser socks and tights (which can be found at any WalMart) are good alternatives to pantyhose. They are inexpensive, reusable, more comfortable, and provide a bit of warmth during the cold winter months.
Anonymous May282009 at 12:01 pm
I have tried to impress people, especially at work trying to prove myself by taking more responsibilities than what i could. Even though i acccomplish a good deal of work, i don’t get time to feel content and happy about it, as i had more piled on my desk left to be done. I think, i should stop trying to impress people and instead focus on my priorities and areas of interest that will give me satisfaction in my work and feel content end of the day.
Srinivas Rao May282009 at 12:04 pm
Interesting post. I have many friends who drive fancy cars and I have one friend who probably makes more money than most of them and drives a honda. He’s also one of the happiest most well adjusted people I know because he doesn’t seek happiness in materialism.
V. Higgins May282009 at 12:09 pm
I have to say that this post was a little confusing. I think the main point was to examine why you do things and eleminate what isn’t important to you. But for some people, having lovely things in their home is important to them. It’s not complecated or about impressing anyone, they just enjoy having lovely things around for no other purpose that to look beautiful. So if your point was to eleminate what is for pretense and impressing others and focus on what really matters to you and you enjoy, than I agree.
Rohit May282009 at 12:19 pm
This is best place for all broken hearts……………………………
prayerthegate May282009 at 12:25 pm
Plain language number 3 is my favorite. Make a page of periods and use them liberally. The world has become filled with run-on sentences. People say things that make no sense while trying to sound smart or important. Keep it simple is perfect advice.

I do dress to work, even at home. It helps me get my game face on. I don’t dress in a super expensive drycleaning required suit like I used to, but more like resort casual now. My makeup and hair are more simple and that is definately better.

Honesty in who we are should be what we seek.

I long to go minimilist with my home and office. Still working on letting go and making time to clear out. Love your wisdom on these things. Thanks.
Brandon W May282009 at 12:30 pm
When my wife took a job out of town recently, we decided to for-go getting a second car. I work in town and I can take a bus. It takes longer for me to get places, but I’ve come to enjoy the riding time. Especially in the evening. It gives me time to relax and unwind.

I also started telling people a few months ago to just get me consumable gifts if they want to get me anything. It’s resulted in tasty treats I would never have thought to buy for myself, and I don’t have more “stuff” to find places for.
Sonya Hua May282009 at 12:55 pm
Hey,

I highly recommend Roger Scruton’s philosophical book, “Beauty.” It talks about minimalistic beauty and other kinds. It’s very insightful. I think you’ll enjoy it.
Erin May282009 at 12:55 pm
Do you ever consider that you have become a spiritual materialist?
Marc and Angel Hack Life May282009 at 12:56 pm
Simple and insightful.

Thanks Leo.
Erin May282009 at 1:04 pm
I only bring up the idea of spiritual materialism because it’s a trap I think I fall into sometimes, and I think it’s quite sneaky. What do you think?
Leslie May282009 at 1:06 pm
This is great! I’ve been trying to simplify for awhile now. This is completely opposite of how I was raised, but moving out of my parents house and trying to survive on my own gives me no other option! I’ve become a minimalist by necessity…and thank goodness!
Wayne Wirs May282009 at 1:09 pm
Since selling nearly everything I own, living and traveling full time with a second hand RV and beater of a Jeep - I have absolutely no regrets. I love living simple!

I agree, and live most of your points. I don’t shave my head but I use men’s hair clippers to trim my beard twice a week and cut my hair (setting 1) once a month.

Living in very confined quarters forces you to keep only the necessities, simply because you don’t have the room for a bunch of junk. Really clarifies “needs” vs. “wants”.

Great post! Thanks.
kick_push May282009 at 1:12 pm
love it!

LESS is MORE
Sean May282009 at 1:20 pm
I have recently learned that living a more simple life, can far outweigh any perceived advantages of living a more materialistic lifestyle. Whether it is being debt free, less self-conscious, or ultimately just being a happier person, I have found all of these to be true when I began to let go of some “nice things”. Thanks for the post!
Silvia May282009 at 1:45 pm
When I graduated college it became a lot easier to drop pretenses. I now wear less makeup and don’t obsess over my hair as much. I’ve also started eating at home more instead of spending lots of time and money on pointless outings to bars and coffee houses. I think that for me it’s been lots of little things that have changed as well as my whole perspective on my life. Before it was so easy to say my friends are doing this or they just bought this or something along those lines and feel the urge to do those same things; whereas, now I can just be myself. It’s made all the difference in the world and made life a lot simpler.
Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills May282009 at 1:49 pm
Boy Leo, you covered a lot of ground. On gift giving I have found a good way to expose our motives for giving. If we can give a gift anonymously, then our motives are completely unselfish. If we need to have the acknowledgment of the receiver, then we might want to examine the motive.
Renato Vargas May282009 at 2:00 pm
I’m at a point in my life where things are starting to look good. I’m earning a slightly bigger paycheck at work, and have more time for myself. Also, I don’t have any major responsibilities.

Of course, now that this is happening, I am often tempted to surround myself with debt, or to just throw money away, by eating out and buying useless things. Last night, for example, I was THIS close to buying a powerful MAC on credit at $2,744.00. I have a hobby that would benefit greatly from it, but can I continue doing it with what I have? Most certainly. I remembered some of your posts on impulse buying, and how you should put big purchases like that on a 40 day wait list, and only buy them if after that time, I still need them (or want them). That alone kept me from creating a monthly burden on my paycheck.

Your blog in general, and this post in particular are very useful for me, so that I don’t regret my lifestyle ten years from now. I like embracing frugality (or cheapness, where I come from :-)). Awesome blog, as always.
Cesar May282009 at 2:01 pm
Great article, Leo! It seems I’m not the only one on this path, then, huh? Thanks for writing about this, though. It feels good to know you’re not alone. It’s like de Mello says in his conference: “When you really wake up, you begin asking yourself: Am I really crazy, or are all of them?!” Ha ha ha! Well, I’ve searched and I’ve grown more and more convinced, the answer is almost always the second one. Keep up the good work!
Todd @ The Personal Finance Playbook May282009 at 2:38 pm
Whether you need to dress to impress depends somewhat on your job. If you’re wearing a thrifty suit while everyone you work with is wearing something tailored, then you should probably reevaluated for the sake of your career. Leo, I think you mostly do freelance work or work for yourself. If you worked at a law firm, I think you’d have to dress for other people to some extent. They would never allow you to keep working there if you insisted on meeting with clients in jeans and t-shirts. That being said, I love the post. I love the points. And I love this blog. Very helpful post. A simpler existence truly is a happier one.
Coop May282009 at 3:17 pm
Hi Leo,
I find the same with exercise.

I have a kettlebell, olympic bar with some plates, a pull up bar, stability ball, and a power wheel.

With those I can do a whole bunch of exercises. I’ll bring some weights with me on a hike in my nearby foothills and I’ve got a great cardio, and weight training experience in the outdoors.

Simple, but not east…yet very effective.

Have an incredible day,
Coop
Television Spy May282009 at 3:19 pm
The most zen you can ever have is when you get rid of what you don’t need, and limit and lessen your possessions to the bare essentials.

Material things really are the burden of most problems.
Rabbi Ann White May282009 at 3:27 pm
After 20 years as a trial atty, needing to dress a certain way, I made a list of important things I wanted in my 2nd career:
1.comfortable clothes — ie, casual
2. comfortable shoes
3. ability to bring my dog to work
4. no daily time clock to punch

and I was fortunate in creating a job that works with these criteria — a rabbi, with a nature focus.

ps - dog stays at home when I do hospital calls, although if she behaved better, she could become a therapy dog.
Pipps May282009 at 3:30 pm
So what you’re saying is, that it’s easier to be lazy?

Well good luck to you. You wouldn’t get my business. Or my respect. But at least you’re less ’stressed’, hey.

That’s surely what life must be all about, after all.
Dave - The Intelligent Workout May282009 at 3:31 pm
Awesome Leo - This is one of your best posts - Might Top Creating a Minimalist Home as my favorite.

“How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks but only at what he does himself, to make it just and right.”

- Marcus Aurelius
Melissa May282009 at 3:47 pm
“The Android” is not an object per se, but an operating system on an HTC phone.

Just a technicality I know, but I love my Google phone and it simplifies things for me a lot :) Sure some would do better without the technology, but if I can save time by doing things all on one device I am all about it.
Shann May282009 at 4:26 pm
Awesome post.

We hinder our ability to take risks if we’re bogged down by maintaining appearances and trinkets that don’t define true success and happiness.

Shann
Sami - Life, Laughs & Lemmings May282009 at 5:18 pm
The pretences I’ve dropped are;

- Being overly concerned with grooming. I’ve very much pared back all the lotions and potions.
- Clothing. I wear what suits me and is comfortable, not necessarily what’s expensive or in fashion and btw, in my opinion, no one can pull off the skinny jeans look. ;)
- Gifts. Our family has never given extravagant gifts but lately I’ve focussed on giving experiences rather than gifts (eg. a picnic at the beach).
- Being the centre of attention. I used to like being in the limelight and making people laugh. I still like to make people laugh but I’ve found that I prefer to do it in a less overt way.
- Car. Used to own the latest model Commodore Ute (which won’t mean much to anyone outside Aus). Thought it was cool. Was all show. Now I have an older model Pathfinder and I’m happy as a pig in mud (can take it off road and not worry about scratches).
- Work. Climbed the corporate ladder. Burnt myself out and fell off. Very glad I did. Now doing what I love.

Great post. Very much in agreeance.
l.k. May282009 at 5:24 pm
I have been reading your blog for a while. Thank you so much for what you do–you have been a wonderful source of inspiration in my journey.

I just wanted to comment on your use of the word “artful”. I think simple living in and of itself is very artful. I suppose this comes down to a very subjective view of what “art” is. But, as an artist myself, I view the process of simplyfing my life as one of the most important aspects of my art. Art is the lens through which I understand, appreciate, and experience the world. I experience the world more fully when I live simply. Living simply, in and of itself, is an act of art. Perhaps we are defining the concept of “art” in different ways–and of course that’s ok–but I just wanted to chime in with my own experience.
David! May282009 at 5:25 pm
Wow. I just got this link from a friend of mine, saying “I think you will like this”. He was dead on. This is pretty much how I live my life. By my terms, at my speed. Simplicity is beautiful and people who don’t accept or look down upon those of us who are more “simple” are, in my opinion, trapped in their own pretenses. I love my flip flops and wouldn’t trade them for a $200 pair of shoes. I have only a few possessions, of which I get nice things, simply due to the fact I enjoy what they provide for me. I learned a few years back that this life is for me, and I only get one. I might as well enjoy what I have and play by my rules ;) Take care and keep up the wonderful thoughts!
srdato May282009 at 6:04 pm
Very interesting post. I can be held guilty of several points. This makes me reflect on what motivates us: There is external motivation and internal motivation. Internal coming from your own sincerest desires (ambition) which drives you, and then there is the external– which comes from outside yourself– doing things to keep up with others, to please others, or for any reason other than what truly gives you joy and makes you feel alive. If you’re motivated primarily by external factors, it most certainly makes life complex, but also your motivation is shaky at best. This post also makes me reflect on Wayne Dyer– where he defines life having stages: morning, afternoon, and evening– and it’s usually at some point between the morning and afternoon stages, where a person reaches that ‘epiphany moment’ and their ambition shifts to meaning. While you continue to have ambitions (desires), they change to more simple and yet, more meaningful things. You let go of the complex stuff that no longer has the same meaning it once did. Your motivation changes as well.

While I love nice things– clothes, etc. our culture is more, more, more– biggie size that– and bigger is better….what is that all about?
Lynne May282009 at 6:26 pm
The most profound simplification I’ve done in my life is to strive to speak honestly, even in the smallest matters.
Tehseen | RechargeYourMind May282009 at 7:04 pm
Great post Leo. If I can sum this post in one sentence, it would be:

‘Live for yourself, not for others.”
Laurie May282009 at 7:10 pm
Love this post! I have learned all these truths since selling our large house and downsizing into a 40-foot motorhome and traveling the country. Now back in a “stick” house, but much smaller, I am getting rid of most of the items we had in storage. It’s now so easy to see and feel what we really don’t need and why we don’t need these items.

I do have items from years of traveling that I love because they remind me of the wonderful places I’ve been, and I had a hard time deciding to let some of these go. But I can’t stand the clutter! So I’m taking quality digital pictures of these items so I still have the memories and then getting rid of the items.

My goal the next time I move is to only pack what’s truly necessary or loved, so that’s what I’m working toward. Less time, money, and pain involved and more time for living!
Business May282009 at 7:12 pm
I agree with the art of living a relaxed and casual life - does it really matter what we where? Or what we look like - it is what is inside that truely counts, thank you for this great post!
carla May282009 at 7:13 pm
Though my clothes are not “simple”, I dress for me and I enjoy it. I feel as long as you decorate your home for YOU, dress for YOU, buy or do whatever for YOU and you are within your means financially and time wise, I don’t see what the problem is.
Carrie May282009 at 7:40 pm
@Srinivas Rao Since when does driving anything more expensive than an Honda = materialism?
Mletta May282009 at 8:20 pm
As always, an article that makes one think and then examine one’s own behavior and choices to improve the quality of their lives..

Although this approach works in many ways, in some instances, some of us do prefer more and/or better “stuff.” Not to impress but because it works for us. And because it lasts. (I’m constantly being told by friends: Why don’t you buy a new X or Y? Well, because the one I have already works just fine, thank you. New is not always better or needed. And I hate that we live at a time where repairs are more expensive than getting something new. Ugh. Yes, I’m one of those people who has literally worn out appliances and clothing to the point that loved ones have tossed the items. And, surprise, I’m a woman.)

My approach to clothing and decor has always been quality, not quantity. Timeless versus trendy. Who has the time to maintain and change a lot of stuff? But I’m glad I did the whole “fun clothing” bit when I was in my 20s. It would be impossible to have adapted almost a “uniform” approach to dressing at this point in life if I had not had a lot of fun earlier.

Now, I spend my time and $$ elsewhere and enliven my clothing with one-of-a-kind accessories (usually purchased from artists and crafters) because I personally enjoy them.

The point of a lot of what you are saying is to avoid choices in anything that are externally driven/motivated, as opposed to self-driven/self-motivated.

Of course, depending on where one lives or works, one does have to adapt a bit in the area of clothing. (You would have a problem being taken seriously in shorts and sandals at meetings here in NYC, unless you were working in some sort of athletic teaching capacity, for example.) And the car issue. It is a rare person who can get away with a junker in certain parts of the country or many businesses. Sad but true.

In a perfect world, we’d have all the freedom we needed to make totally self-driven choices in the areas you mention. And not be judged on our competency, professionalism or creativity based on what we own or wear.

For all their functionality and fun, some of us, for example don’t want the latest tech gadgets because frankly, it’s just more stuff that requires time, attention. And ties us down more than frees us.

We already as a society spend too much time on the stuff and not enough on each other and growing and learning and contributing.

Possessions serve as signals to others (of our interests, creativity, etc.) so I rather doubt we will all revert to as simplistic an approach as you have embraced. But the article is a great reminder that there is a need to be clear on what drives our purchases, apparel, etc.
jill May282009 at 8:57 pm
Ha! This post sums up my life as of late. For the past year, I worked at a research station in the rainforest, and my wardrobe served two purposes: comfort and cover. I’ve been finding lately, particularly as summer looms nearer, I can’t get away from my rainforest dress philosophy. And what’s even better…I don’t care! I’m comfortable, and I feel like I’m no longer hiding my true self under more traditional and stylish clothes. It’s liberating!

My current favs? An old pair of overalls I picked up at Goodwill.
Gena De Guzman May282009 at 9:24 pm
I believe in simplicity in all aspects of life. It is like less talk less mistake. And I hate people who try so hard to show off what they have when they should be thinking of more important things. The problem with this world is that people are too busy fixing their reputation rather than repair their character.

Character shows on people’s lifestyle, values and principles. No matter how much you hide it, it shows. So I think with being simple, it also shows. People are so engrossed with showing what they have and how they live when behind those are just pathetic losers trying to be outwit others by being so flashy.

I just hate those kind of people because it shows that they are so pretentious that they have to be on top. I remember what my Dad has told me and always remind me that simplicity is better because it also means contentment. With contentment comes happiness. And people should not go with what is the latest. Just because a lot of people are into it doesn’t mean its much better and you are in. Being different is much better because you don’t need to comply and that is where simplicity comes in.

It is nice to be open-minded, but it does not mean that options are open to do things that can cause complicated results. hehehe… But bottom line is the simpler you are, the less complicated life is.

So everytime I am told that I am simple, I think of it as a compliment rather than an insult. Because in the less is more. My simplicity shines more than those who live with more.
Patrenia May282009 at 11:31 pm
I dropped “most” of wanting when my husband and I started paying off our debt. A funny thing happened during that process, I realized that all of that “stuff” was not important. What was important was freedom…..
Great post Leo!
Carl Frak May292009 at 1:01 am
Done and done:
Wardrobe is down to two pairs of jeans, two pairs of khaki shorts, tennis shoes and hiking shoes, six under shirts, six underwear and socks combo, three vests (same vest, in three different primary colors: green, blue, black), one coat, and two button up shirts,

Watch: Solar & Atomic G-shock that will easily last 15 + years (last one last 13).

Vehicle: paid-off Toyota pick-up (gets the job done)

Primary xportation: mountain bike.

Means of communication / internet / organizer / etc: iPhone

Everything else important to me is in a 2′x2′ fire-proof safe (documents).

Anything else not listed could be gone tomorrow and I wouldn’t bat an eye. Ah, simplicity.
Pilbara Pink May292009 at 3:53 am
Thanks for the thought provoking. Personally I don’t take the post as an instruction but as things to consider. What works for me will be applied, what doesn’t will be let go. I have found moving from NZ to Australia, supposedly for a short time with everything left in storage, was a real eye-opener to what really mattered to me. Nearly four years later we are still in Australia and our stuff is still in NZ. We have acquired more stuff but I am more selective. If you are not sure what you can live without try putting everything from a room into storage (in boxes in another room or garage will do the trick). Then you can gradually return what you miss. It is interesting to see what is still left in boxes after a few weeks/months.
Vincent May292009 at 5:23 am
Hi Leo,

I love to make an impression and this cause me to stock up on clothes that not practical but costly. Your tips are simple and useful. Those who practice what you had taught are bound to achieve results in their life. Thanks for your wonderful article once again.

Cheers,
Vincent
Orchid64 May292009 at 5:39 am
While I think valuing simplicity is important, I think the larger message should be that you live your life to make yourself comfortable, satisfied and effective.

My apartment is decorated to make me happy. The objects aren’t there to impress (not that there are many of them or that there is clutter). I don’t buy into the minimalism is best idea or the notion that decorations are there to show off.

All of my clothes are very basic, and I only have two pair of shoes (sandals and sneakers). I don’t care about clothes, but I think the reality for women is that clothes, make-up, hairstyling, etc. have a much more profound effect on how they are regarded. Some people have no choice but to dress the part. I feel fortunate that I’m not one of them, but I certainly wouldn’t advise everyone to give up their wardrobe or simplify their grooming routine.

Some people don’t have the luxury of living only for themselves. It’d be nice if they did, but we don’t live in a vacuum where the expectations of most of society are of little concern to us.
Rudolf May292009 at 8:59 am
I have done some progress in decorative & language area…I used to have many “dust catchers”, “memory items”, got rid of most of them. It certainly helped that I moved 3 times during last two years.. :) Dust is bad, but stuff all around that creates clutter and eats through your focus is much worse. I have a few items that are close to my heart but use the limitations. :)

Simplifying my language is my everyday challenge and I believe that it is better than it used to be. I work in computers field and new terms catch easily on me. All it takes is more awareness and taking feedback fearlessly. :)
Toy Dragon (in Blue) May292009 at 9:26 am
I will admit, I’ve always kept things simple for as long as I can remember. On clothing, I essentially have “the uniform”: black pocket t-shirt, blue denim shorts, sandals. I have long hair (down past my tailbone in fact) but just tie it back or braid it.

On home decorating, my view is perhaps phrased in a slightly diffferent way - rather than strive for minimalism for its own sake, I try not to decorate or fill up the house with things that are ultimately meaningless - meaningless here, includes things that are hollow; they exist to try and pretty up the home for other people or to impress. My home has simple, direct furniture, but also a number of wall hangings that have personal significance and is full of stuffed animals - some pretty large. I’m picky about which stuffed animals I collect though (very particular). There’s still a fair number due to how long I’ve been doing it.

Also, the house is full of beachballs, which are both personally significant and practical: they’re good for throwing at people.
Bill H May292009 at 10:20 am
All things, whether simple or artful, are exactly perfect. The trappings are found within perceiving all of these things as though there is something with them is either right or wrong.

Our complicated reality comes from imagining that something isn’t simple, whether it is or not.

I don’t know if I’m ready to start tossing out the beautiful things in my life because I’ve imagined that they are the source of my complicated reality. Instead, I might try to see the beauty in all of these things, then clear my mind and appreciate their perfection.

After I get all of that right, I’ll sell my cars and clothes.
Tabita May292009 at 10:23 am
Awesome advice! Thanks Leo.
Mike May292009 at 1:25 pm
I hate to disagree, mostly because I always love Leo’s posts, but the other day I was told to “dress up” at work for an offsite event. I don’t dress as a slob, but when I put on a button down shirt and slacks, everyone at work treated me quite a bit better. For what it is worth…
Jenny May302009 at 3:30 pm
I completely agree. This year I have been reassessing everything I own and I ended up donating a majority of my posessions. It was really a great feeling. Each time I donated an item I felt like I had lost weight. It was so uplifting. I have never felt better in my life. I do like to have some decoration (paintings and flowers) around because I find it lifts my mood, but I have purged my life of most useless items that were just collecting dust. Besides why should I hoard things just because I liked them once when other people could actually be getting use out of them. Thinking of it that way makes it easy to part with things. My biggest move was my books, I have been a booklover my whole life and donating them to the library was the hardest thing to do but when I did it I felt glad. I only read novels once so I kept my reference books that I actually do refer to and donated the rest and now when I want to read I go to the library rather than to buy a book just to read once and set it on a shelf for eternity.and now I am saving so much space, money and natural resources by not buying books. It may not be for everyone but it did wonders for me!
Rose May302009 at 7:11 pm
Over 20 years ago, I clipped a great quote, paraphrased:

When I was 20, I worried about what others thought about me.
At age 30, I didn’t care what others thought about me.
At age 40, I realized they hadn’t been thinking about me at all.

True wisdom often comes with age, experience and perspective. :-D
Sean May302009 at 11:18 pm
All very good. I committed to much of what’s on this list, in slightly altered forms, several years ago and my life became so much more… a LIFE. I recently discovered these “police pants” called 5.11 Tactical Pants. They are kind of expensive but SO comfortable and versatile and very durable, that that’s about ALL I wear now. Kinda like Einstein, no big “what will I wear” decision… I only have to avoid the pairs with the big BBQ sauce stains on them when I go someplace nice! BTW, I have nothing to do with 5.11 or anyone that sells them. I just like them a lot.
Trudy May312009 at 10:04 am
I’m in the process of a separation/divorce after many years of not being happy…with the big house, cars, and tons of stuff which were possessions to try to make us happy. I’m looking forward to a small apartment. I’m actually looking for a studio and getting rid of all the possessions that I don’t need or use. I want to live simply with only the things I need and use everyday. My goal is to live a frugal yet comfortable lifestyle where I can save and plan to retire at an earlier age. I have realized that time is more important than money and there is no way to buy it back.
Elizabeth Rasche Gonzalez May312009 at 10:46 am
I think most of us can remember times when we were more concerned with impressing others than with living our own lives with integrity. You have made many fine suggestions for self-improvement in this area.

Still, I think we need to remember that “artful” can also refer to the exercise of art or skill, while “artless” sometimes means clumsy, unskillful, or lacking in knowledge. For art-ISTS, in particular, there is often great joy in the more decorative aspects of life. A creative person may craft a colorful, unusual wardrove that attracts some degree of attention — may live in a quirky dwelling which is altogether too “busy” to satisfy your taste or mine — may labor happily in a studio space which is highly functional but unusually “cluttered.” Many artists make all these choices mindfully and consciously, seeking only to satisfy their own aesthetic and perhaps to inspire or uplift others .
Stephen May312009 at 6:38 pm
I have read this blog since almost the beginning, and this is the first post that ever depressed me… odd.
Stephen May312009 at 7:07 pm
I guess I should clarify my thoughts in regard to the above post – I can absolutely understand the need for constant/frequent evaluation of life/lifestyle, but on the other hand if everyone arrived at the same conclusions, I don’t think the resulting world would be one I would find very appealing. When I meet friends, I want them to be them, and when I travel I want to see the world, not necessarily an efficient, streamlined, minimalist, version of them/it. As far as dress, there are still many situations in the world that require ceremonial (even a simple t-shirt, shorts, and running shoes form a ceremonial uniform of sorts), or other specific forms of dress that extend beyond what is simple or practical. The same can be said for grooming, decorating, and the rest (at least I believe this). What we can cynically refer to as academic or geek speak does have a purpose. More complex words and terminology serve to help clarify important topics and ideas – that’s why I use them and the reason many people I know do the same. Also, I have found that sometimes when I do something at work with the initial purpose just being to impress – even if I do so to impress myself or a friend, the end result ends up being that I achieve something I either didn’t know was possible or find a new interest in. Sometimes any inspiration to act is better than resisting that urge because of fear – fear of doing things for the wrong reasons. I am not afraid to fail or stretch myself to far and I hope that there is still a place for aesthetics and unique choices in terms of dress, grooming, language, decorating, gifts, work, transportation, and devices.
Roberta Beach May312009 at 8:31 pm
Love this piece and took it a bit differently than some others. I never was under the impression that you meant we should literally follow what you are able to do (sandals, shorts); I am an RN - no job for me if I showed up in that get up :). At home, I am a solitary and/or hermit, take your pick: newly defined, definitely paring down using the 100 things guide.

One change I am planning is to do away w/my cable including internet as well as my land line and go straight w/my iPhone and Macbook (under a program that gets me a new computer every two years for $30/month). Plan to use free WiFi or the iPhone - free up lots of time at home…also help me focus when I AM online.

Speaking of, home is not only my home but the residence of my dog sanctuary - currently 20 dogs. Again, pareing down is in process, to make simple, colorful walls and put my stuff in the 1/2 floor above - my space :) including my worship space.

As a nurse, I like to use the most correct language for the situation - then explain what that term means to my patients so when someone uses it and doesn’t take the time to explain it, they will at least have a reference point. I also let them know many of us no matter what profession can tend to get stuck in our own language and to let me know immediately should they not completely understand something I said; I love language, I love to use correct terms in my life but am very willing to be clear to those who don’t know them and to ask for clarification of those who use terms/words I don’t know.

The dogs take most of my money; even before, I had become a small philanthropist. I have let my family know since we no longer need “things” I will be giving to causes about which they care on their behalf - and only once a year; else, they get an e-card :).

My debt is out of this world; cancer can do that to you. The cancer is 10 years past (after on/off for about 20 years) - insurance helps w/the medical bills but not the mortgage or monthlies and when I was able to survive only on one paycheck a month, I didn’t go that route, now regretting it - but hey, that is past and as the prayer says “what is done, is done - let it be.” So, one of my foci for this year is to start making some serious dent in my debt. Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks again - I have you bookmarked and RSSd :) Thanks for all the inspiration.
Heather May312009 at 9:04 pm
Awesome post, Leo.

Just an honest guy on Guam w. a lap-top and flip-flops :) and not pretending to be anything “more”.

That’s why we all listen.

Heather
Elizabeth Rasche Gonzalez June12009 at 2:18 am
Stephen, I can not thank you enough for your beautifully expressed thoughts,. You achieved what I had hoped to in my own earlier comment, but you did so with clarity and elegance.

I fear we may be approaching yet another wrongheaded era in groupthink and the hegemony of popular opinion. Yes, it is important not to live gluttonously, to conserve our earth’s dwindling resources, etc. — but we should never have to bow to some trendy demand that we all spend our lives in picnic clothes and embrace a style in home decor that is so pared-down as to be monotonous bordering on antiseptic.

Leo, please, give us a break. Leave some room in the world, Leo, for individual taste, for a love of beauty and novelty — for preferring a homey, cluttered abode to the zendo — for choosing a witty, literate statement abounding in rich and expressive language to a few deliberately “simple” words designed to hide any education or special verbal finesse that the speaker/writer might have,

What next? — Perhaps the abolition of all departments of comparative literature and art history? The elimination of programs in art, architecture, interior design, creative writing?

Enough already. Your spare lifestyle is commendable and obviously works beautifully — for YOU!.
Elizabeth Rasche Gonzalez June12009 at 3:02 am
Leo, I want to add that I hope you will have a chance to read all the comments and respond personally to some of the more critical ones. Having followed your blog for some time now, I get the sense that you are a kind person of genuine modesty who does not hold his own principles inviolate for everyone for all eternity or consider his opinions Holy Writ.. Still, I found this recent post peculiarly unsetling, even distressing.

I realize, now that I have read more of the comments myself, that my own little critique may have been supefluous. It is great to se that others are thinking the same way — are thinking at all, in fact, enough to reason out their own thoughts on the important issues you raised.

I know you clarified that your choice of clothing may not be for everyone. The workplace everywhere has gotten more casual. Still, outside a few places — Tucson comes to mind as I know of an IT guy who goes to his job there in sweats, and maybe wherever you work in Guam is similar (what do you do for a living, anyway?) –many people just do not have the latitude to show up in shorts and sandals. And not everyone would WANT to. I guess the problem I am having is that in spite of such qualifications, you sometimes seem to be sending out a subtle innuendo that your way of life is really THE way to live and to be. I am hoping that you never become enamored of your own way to the point where you see yourself as a specially evolved role model for humanity! All kinds of lifestyle-choices — some widly different from yours — are IMNSHO worthy of respect and even admiration..

It’s said that Socrates once addressed the ultimate minimalist, a seemingly humble fellow in tattered clothing who was begging on the streets of Athens, with the following words: “Your vanity shows forth from every hole in your coat.”
Stephen June12009 at 2:18 pm
Wow, Elizabeth, I have never read that but it is really an amazing quote -

It’s said that Socrates once addressed the ultimate minimalist, a seemingly humble fellow in tattered clothing who was begging on the streets of Athens, with the following words: “Your vanity shows forth from every hole in your coat.”
Kira June12009 at 4:57 pm
I traded in a swanky cell phone for a used one. I eliminated all phone numbers through the transition, and it felt refreshing. My cell now has a swipe of orange paint from my apt. paint job over the weekend, and I appreciate that personalized mark more than any Ipod gizmo.
Dhammika June42009 at 3:28 am
Hi,

I like this article. I mean I really like it.
End of craving is end of suffering.

Regards
Dhammika
Fan Siteleri June282009 at 3:05 pm
I have read this blog since almost the beginning, and this is the first post that ever depressed me… odd.

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