Remember when life was simpler? Of course you don’t; it’s never been simple. It’s easy to fall into tired old stereotypes about the good old days – easy enough that the concept has been lampooned to hell and back since well before the first memes hit the internet.
Tough as life in the US has always been, one way or another, it always seems to find ways to get tougher. There’s no more apt time to address this than now, when, after being expected to give almost every spare hour of our day to our phones, we’re also being asked to give even more time to training AI algorithms to steal our joy. Want a simpler life? You’re not alone; many of us are craving less.
Simplicity As Resistance To Excess
There’s a lot more to unpack about wanting for less than there might initially seem. Yes, we’re overwhelmed in a world where we all have access to the total of human knowledge of experience in our pockets – but it’s more than overwhelm that describes our restless need for rest.
There’s a wider stance to take here, against overconsumption and the ever-present pull of “more”. By embracing simplicity, we opt to reclaim our time, wrest control over our own attention and create space for the things that really matter, outside of outsized influence.
Digital Detox: Simplifying The Screen Life
It stands to reason that one of the major ways we reclaim this control is by reclaiming our schedules from the digital world. It’s a sad truth that our digital lives often mirror our physical clutter, clamoring for our attention and not really letting go. Immediate gratification is a trap, and more of us are finally setting boundaries around devices, notifications and online consumption in favor of circumventing that trap; in favor of lighter, richer experiences.
Investing In Timeless Over Trendy
The pull towards less-lessness is more than spending less time on your phone, though. There’s also a major physical overconsumption problem, exemplified by the stratospheric success of Amazon and other online retailers. How are you meant to live with less when you’re being spurred on to buy, buy, buy?
The answer is to reject retail therapy; to buy with intention. Jewelry is a great example. Opting to invest in a simple solitaire engagement ring instead of a crowded, maximalist and gem-laden affair makes a statement of intention and restraint – and becomes the only piece of jewelry you’ll ever need.
Everyday Rituals That Elevate Simplicity
These instances of rejecting maximalism are all well and good, but how do you make it the habit of a lifetime? Well, the answer is in the question: make it a habit. The devil is in the detail; small rituals like a morning coffee, a phone-free walk, or a handwritten note instead of a text act as anchors of meaning. It’s in these little acts that living simply finds depth.
The Power of Simplicity: Why We’re Craving Less, Not More