Why Not . . . Simplify Your Life?

One of the reasons I came upon the name Simply Luxurious is because I truly believe that less is more, and quality must supersede quantity.   One item of luxury doesn’t need any adornment.  It simply draws attention completely on its own.

With this in mind, why not bring a bit of simplicity into your life?  With the help of Elaine St. James’ international best seller Simplify Your Life, I’ve hand picked a few of my favorites and meshed them together with my own ideas.   These are the first five ideas in a three week series.  So if you like what you see, be sure to stop back by next Wednesday.  I’ll be curious to know what resonates with you, what you are going to try and what would be to impossible to attempt.  Here we go!

Keep Only What You Use

If you haven’t used or worn it in a year, toss it.  The hardest part is the initial toss, but from there on out, you most likely won’t realize you removed it from your home.  Whether it’s clothing you have been promising yourself you will wear or gadgets in your kitchen cupboards, they are taking up space for what you really would put to good use. The unburdening of stuff is a de-stressor because when you aren’t looking at clutter, your mind is free to think about ideas and not the perpetual reminder of excess stuff that needs to be picked up.

Do What You Really Want to Do

In June’s issue of Vogue Natalie Massenet, the founder of Net-a-Porter, discusses how she made $76 million on an idea that ten years ago caused people to scoff. Women who want to buy designer clothes, what a concept! (written with sarcasm) Needless to say, today she is standing above an empire she has created based on knowing what women want.  (Click here to read a bit more, but unfortunately, you’ll have to pick up the issue to read Jonathan Becker’s entire article – if nothing else, read it in the grocery checkout line – page 160 – shh, don’t tell.) Needless to say, why not go forward toward your dream job.  Sure people will laugh, but if you put your earplugs in and strive forward, you’ll be the one laughing later because you’ll be spending your entire day doing what you love.

Plant an Herb Garden

Regardless of what four walls you inhabit, you can always bring a bit of the outside in, impress your dinner guests and eat a bit healthier.  There are a handful of ways to bring this idea to life: either a potted herb garden indoors on a window sill, just outside in a window box or create a sanctuary in your traditional garden reserved exclusively for herbs. All that is required – dirt, water and sun.  A few herbs to consider: basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, Italian parsley, mint, and sage. If nothing else, grow basil and a variation of parsley and you will save yourself money, as well as be stocked and ready to go when a delicious meal just needs that extra something. Tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil is an easy appetizer or salad.

Get Up an Hour Earlier

Before you completely dismiss this idea, hear me out.  This extra hour in the morning is for you and only you. By giving yourself this extended period, you are setting a calm tone for the beginning of your day.  Even if you choose to workout with your hour, it is still a positive step to begin the day.  However, in order to be motivated to try this, make sure you do something that is a treat. For example, use the extra time to read your favorite blogs, enjoy more snuggle time, or grab a chair and greet the day. Hello sunshine! 

Create Your Own Rituals

I end with the idea of creating a ritual because it ties in nicely with the fourth suggestion.  The type of ritual I speak of is something you can look forward to enjoying every day – time to read the newspaper, while sipping your morning dose of caffeine, and a puppy on the lap is even better.  So if you choose to add an extra hour to your morning, why not fill it with a ritual that you will look forward to each day.  Because while the events of your days aren’t always in your control, at least the time you carve out for something good is one thing that will have gone well each day.  Something to think about.
View Part 2 and Part 3 of the Simplify Your Life series.

(1) Fantastical Fashion – Mariah Carey’s closet (2) Country Living  (3) Source  (4) We Heart It (5) Young Janes