Here are the next 4 in our Top Ten List for simplifying our lives:

4. In the carved out space and time begin to examine what’s truly important to you. What gives you joy, satisfaction, fulfillment, what makes you laugh or cry movingly. Look beyond just the momentary surface level stuff and see what provides deeper moments of meaning. Remember back to your childhood years. Were there moments with yourf amily that, while they may have appeared routine in the moment, you now remember fondly?

5. While examining what brings joy and satisfaction to your life,also spend some time examining your values. As you do, notice whether your current life is consistent with those values. If not, where have they been compromised, and how might a simpler, less complex life allow for a renewal of those values.

6. Last of all look at your life to see where it’s primarily being shaped by a particular lifestyle, as in the “keeping up with the Jones mentality” and where it’s being shaped by your values. One useful way to do this is to draw a line down the middle of a page of paper. On one side write “Lifestyle-based Life,” on the other write “Value-basedLife.” Then, looking at your life write down whatever fits under the two headings. For example, does the car or cars you own represent your values or your lifestyle, how about where you live – the home and neighborhood, how about your job, how much or little you’re involved in the community, etc. By the way, there’s nothing wrong with lifestyle. It’s just not a very good way to shape a life if you’re interested in joy and satisfaction. There are also no right answers. Each person must look and make the call for themselves.

7. By this time in the process you’ll probably see some areas that could benefit from simplification since it appears that a “value-based life” and a simple life go hand-in-hand. If you’re into making lists,you might want to list what possible actions you could take towards that aim, then prioritize them. Or just pick two or three activities that would be fun, engaging and would move you further down the simplicity path.

Ok, still looking for some new tips and techniques for simplifying our lives? What do you have to share?
Next post, we’ll look at some key strategies for simplifying our finances. No, one of them is not to send me all your money.