A newsletter of simple ideas #5 -- August 1998

Relax, and Enjoy

Last week was the last day of my day job as a contract proofreader at Microsoft. Far from seeing my impending unemployment with dread, I looked forward to it. That attitude surprised some of my friends, who wondered how getting dumpted into the bread line could possibly be something to be anticipated with glee.

An important concept in the voluntary simplicity movement (in fact, so important that it's in the name) is that simplification of one's life is voluntary. It's the choosing to keep the bits you enjoy, and eliminating the bits you don't enjoy. Elaine St. James, in her book Living the Simple Life, points out that simplifying means different things to different people. For some, it means getting rod of the extra boat they never use and moving into a house without a pool or hot tub. For others, it means finding a cabin in the woods on the shores of Walden Pond.

One of the suggestions in the book is that we look at what complicates our lives, or at least makes them less than idea. St. James points out that while some things are beyond our control (like inflation, attourneys, bad weather, and blown-in subscription cards in magazines), most things we can avoid or lessen the impact they have on our lives. So, by taking time (from a few minutes to a few days) to come up with a list of things we'd like to not have to worry about, it's easy to start simplifying--just pick something from the list and find a creative way to eliminate it.

Another suggestion is essentially the opposite approach. By determining what are the things you want to keep, you can begin asking yourself "Does this further my goals?" This is the approach that I used when I started simplifying. In Life 101 by Peter McWilliams, there is a technique for determining your ten most important things to work towards (Elaine St. James suggest determining the five most important). Essentially, you brainstorm all the things you'd like to do, have, maintain, or whatever, and then go through a process of narrowing it down until you have the absolutely most important ones. For me, these were: getting and maintaining a relationship; spending time with friends; achieving financial independence; developing my "inner self" through taijiquan and meditation; supporting myself through the use of words (writing, editing, or other language-based work); making Rubicon Games a successful company; learning Chinese; developing my physical self through working out and other exercise; travelling to China; and taking a return trip to the United Kingdom.

Although I only actively work on the top five or six, and have modified the list somewhat, almost everything I do furthers one of these goals. For example, publishing Reasonably Simple is work towards supporting myself with words, and towards achieving financial independence. It could also be considered contact with friends, since many of my friends receive the newsletter.

Simplifying is a process, not an event, however. Even though I know the stuff I want to get rid of, and the stuff I want to achieve, there are still changes to be made. This brings us back to my unemployment. I look forward to this time because although proofreading was supporting myself with words, I enjoy proofreading less than I enjoy editing. So, I see it as an opportunity to refine that goal. My unemployment also allows me to work on other areas--it allows me to be more flexible to meet with friends, to practice taiji, and to catch up on Rubicon work.

So spend some time and come up with a list of things that complicate your life, or things that you really want to focus on. Make small changes (or big ones, if you feel the spark) to make your life one where you can relax, and enjoy what you're doing.

Quote of the Month

--Henry David Thoreau

Found in Chop Wood, Carry Water

Tips

Some hints for zooming in on what you enjoy and what you don't:

• Think of times when you were very happy or satisfied. What was it about those times that made you feel that way? What kinds of activities make your current (or previous) job fun? Brainstorm other activities or jobs that will provide similar situations
• Do the above exercise, only think of things that have made you feeel dissatisfied or unhappy. Pick one or two that you can avoid and do so.
• Keep a regular journal or chart (or whatever is appropriate) so that you can review your progress towards your greater enjoyment and away from dissatisfaction.

Editor's Notes

As always, you can contact Reasonably Simple with your submissions, suggestions, stray thoughts, new subscribers, or Free Market ads through me: