You might think living simple is easy. It’s not. Modern culture would not have us live simple. It’s a challenge to let go of all the stuff that’s been thrust upon us. Will you stand with me and take the 10 step challenge to simple living?
I’m no different than you. I make choices each day that effect my own well-being and the health of the world around me. Some of those choices deliberately go against cultural norms. I attempt to live minimally, without extras. Still, it’s a challenge for me. Too much fast food, too much media and too little exercise are common in my world. I often have to challenge myself to get back on track. That’s why I created this 10 step challenge. I’d like to share it with you.
When I was younger, I lived with less because I had little means. For the past ten years I’ve been learning to live with less by choice. I still slip. Lately, I’ve been developing some new websites. My passion for creating websites and writing content has cut into other areas of my life. My diet and exercise has suffered. I’m ready to get back on track. Will you join me? Will you take the 10 step challenge?
Are Your Ready To Take The 10-Step Challenge?
Make a promise to be intentional in these things:
- Unclutter: We feel more at ease when our environment is open and spacious. It allows us room to inhale and exhale freely. Look around. Start with your immediate surroundings. Do you see a few things out of place. Challenge yourself to make a place for them.
- Relax: Make a point to take some time in the morning and evening to relax. Be intentional. Spend 10-20 minutes with a cup of tea doing nothing.
- Do less: I have a tendency to be over productive. I get finished with one project and I go straight to the next one. I forget to leave space. We need space between the things we do. That space is where our creative energy is renewed. Leave some space between. Do less.
- Eat right: When we work too hard, we forget to eat right. I’ve made great strides in eating healthy foods the past few years. My rhythm was interrupted when I took a vacation in August. Sometimes we need to challenge ourselves to get back on track. Our overall well-being will benefit from eating better foods.
- Walk (or ride a bike): One of the best forms of exercise is walking. It’s simple and easy. It requires no equipment. It allows one to relax and meditate while exercising. I walk regularly, but I’d like to up the ante and double my weekly mileage. I challenge you to do the same.
- Turn off: Turn off the screens. Between TV, smart phones, tablets and computers we are spending more and more time in front of screens. This is bad for our bodies and our minds. Limit your screen time to less than a couple of hours a day. This is very hard for me, because I try to justify my screen time as productive time. Still, too much is too much.
- Bond: Take time to bond with your family. Letting go of screen time frees up togetherness time. You can walk, cook or just share conversation together. In the letting go of excess, we find room for growth in our relationships.
- Make Music: I’m a musician. This comes naturally to me. Music lifts our spirits. I encourage you to fill your house with music. It might be your own or it might be the radio. Either way, music soothes the soul and rekindles the spirit.
- Read: As I have started writing more, my reading has suffered. You may or may not read regularly. If you do, that’s great. If not, I challenge you to read for 15-30 minutes each day. It stimulates the mind and fosters creative thought.
- Pray: Take a few moments each day to be thankful to your deity.
The 10-Step Challenge Is Just The Start
In the future, I’ll be creating the “Live Simple” program. I’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions on living more simply.
Make a point to slow down. Inhale. Exhale. Be intentional. Relax. Do what’s good for your body, mind and spirit. When we live simply, we develop positive habits that will change our lives.
I used to smoke. I used to drink. I used to consume more than 20 hours of media per week. I was 30 pounds overweight. I made a decision to let the excess go. I still struggle. I’m human. But knowing that we need to change is the beginning of change. I’m committing myself to stay on track with this 10 step challenge. I challenge you to join me:
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