Ask HN: How have you successfully simplified your life?
I’ve read that the likes of Barrack Obama, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg built daily uniforms for themselves. Others have moved into Tiny houses, or moved to all cash to limit spending, or eliminated political news consumption, etc. I’m curious what ways you’ve successfully reduced and simplified in your life.
Some examples: eliminated social media, never watch, read or listen to live TV or news, don't own a smartphone, own very few personal possessions, have very few clothes, only own electronic books (with a couple of exceptions). Never read, watch or listen to anything with adverts. Moved from a large, expensive house into a rented cottage in the countryside (which had the side effect of freeing up enough money to live almost indefinitely without work, and absolutely until my pension kicks in), changed from permanent to contract-only work, reduced time worked dramatically, simplified diet, simplified health and fitness, and on and on...
The key turning point really is the understanding, actually the revelation, that debt-fuelled consumerism will never give you happiness and contentment. It's like a curtain was lifted and you say "Oh my God, I wasn't expecting THAT!". The trouble is most people don't believe it. Like the Matrix - you have to see it for yourself - one day it will happen.
With regards the electronic books it is to do with space required for storage. I used to have well over a thousand physical books and that took up quite a bit of space. When I knew I needed to downsize I donated the books to my favourite charity. I had already started buying e-books, so the transition was fairly painless. When we moved I was grateful I didn't have to lug around boxes and boxes of books!
This is just one small detail in an overall strategy to simplify though - it's not just about owning fewer things, it's about simplifying so I have more freedom to live to the priorities that make me happy: freedom, health, less stress, more time and on and on.
- I have stopped consuming (news, politics, articles, videos, etc) and have started creating more (drawing, writing, building, etc)
- I have adopted the idea of digital minimalism, using only the essential applications, not participating in social media (hi, hn!), no roaming the internet/using the internet less, etc
- Also, physical minimalism, again only the necessities: comfortable bed, desk, chair, bookshelf, simple and fashionable clothes and shoes, etc
- Food minimalism? Eat only well-cooked, healthy food, also fruits and vegetables, drink only water, fruit drinks and wine/beer on the special occasion
- Taking time to reflect and being consciously aware of what I consume and whether I ought to stop or continue consuming x and y
- Exercise/proper sleep (hiking, swimming in the ocean, cycling rather than driving, etc), the backbones of my life
- Again, doing away with non-essentials: television in your bedroom, unhealthy food, fancy materialistic items, etc
- More of the natural things and less of the artificial things: more: sitting in my backyard and watching the night sky, walking in the morning, etc less: roaming the internet, using my mobile device, having headphones in when there are people who I can talk to around me, etc
- Most importantly: less thinking, no worrying, no comparing, no using labels and identifications, no judging, no interpreting every experience I experience, more just being with no interpretation, natural mind > cultured mind, etc
+1 for the elimination of news. I've found one useful tip for that on HN - never read an article when you click on a headline - bookmark it, so if you really want to, you will read the next day. Probably 90% of stuff I was reading before, fall in that category.
I’ve come to the point where I have stopped bookmarking all together. Well, at least on my home, personal computers.
Bookmarking is overwhelming. I tried Pocket (the bookmarking tool) a few years ago and I would just bookmark everything I came across that I found interesting but not get around to reading anything at all out.
It’s not efficient if you would like to read a book online, but now I do all the online reading once I come across it or not at all.
Delete as many apps from your phone as possible. If you can do it on a computer, ditch it.
Turn off notifications. Check apps when you're ready, not when it tells you it needs attention.
Personal hack, using Tasker, the phone stays in monochrome except for a few apps. HM and websites feel more like newspapers. Simpler in a cognitively relaxing way.
Monochrome is a nice idea. Windows phone is a good way to achieve the first part. Most of the apps you might use aren't available. Put the phone in "battery saver" mode and things don't run in the background, so no notifications. Battery can last 2-3 days this way
Get rid of as many things as is possible. Imagine that you'll need to grab your closest family and friends, a bunch of survival gear, and the 10 things you value the most, and escape to a remote region. If you can't carry it, don't bring it. If you haven't used it in the last year, sell it.
I tried to follow the concept of minimalism a few years ago. For everyone else who is struggling with it: don't stress out because you can't live with one backpack.
Yes, you can get rid of a lot of stuff and you should do it, but don't do it too extreme. I don't want to live without my music instruments or my sports (which requires a lot of gear) - don't fall into the trap as I did and feel bad for owning it.
Start small and collect all the stuff you didn't touch for more than 1 year - don't throw it away, just put it in the cellar and after a few months realising you don't need/want it give it away.
There are also probably a few things you want to keep even if you use them less than once a year, just because either a) when you suddenly do need them you really want them on hand, or b) they're really expensive to replace every couple years, and a PITA to borrow or rent. There are also (c) some things with fuzzy definitions around the term "use" and (d) items with sentimental value.
For me, category A includes things like the toilet plunger, flashlight, certain OTC medicines and first aid supplies, and the like. A few flattened cardboard boxes. A couple faded old towels. That step stool in the back of the closet. An extension cord.
Category B includes a minimum quantity of formalwear (tuxes may be easy to rent; heels that don't cause bleeding are another story), snow gear or an emergency generator in certain climates, perhaps certain types of cookware, etc.
As for category C... you don't use houseplants, but having a couple around can work wonders for your quality of life. The same goes for a poster/painting or two to liven your environment, or a few framed snapshots of family and friends. These aren't things that complicate your life - once you have them they don't cost money or significant time to maintain; there's no real pressure to keep accumulating more - and they're good for the soul.
Which is also why category D is important. Yes, you need to let go of things, and no, you shouldn't keep that takeout carton just because your ex touched it. But there are some things - that art project your kid made, or the cufflinks your grandfather left you, or the scarf your mom knit you the year before she died - that have value far beyond their utility. The challenge there is to decide which ones are really important.
But there is stuff most of us should be much more ruthless about getting rid of (living in a small apartment can help develop the ruthlessness habit; so can moving frequently). Top of the list for many of us is clothing. Stuff for hobbies we wanted to take up or just never get around to. Small kitchen appliances. Electronics and gadgets. Knick-knacks and collectibles. All the stuff you keep accumulating more of but that don't actually add anything to your life.
"...having a hard time moving the family fully in that direction..."
Hehehe.
Dad: Hey, I'm run ragged with stress and work and my life sucks. I think this simplify thing might help. Let's start by getting rid of the flatscreen TV and the couch.
Kids (much wailing and gnashing of teeth): No, no, nooooo!
Wife: You are sleeping in the spare room tonight asshat.
This scenario probably plays out a thousand times up and down the country.
This is like a solved problem (see any number of resources such as Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez, Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin, blogs by The Minimalists, Mr. Money Moustache, Early Retirement Extreme, ad infinitum...).
My advice, you can start by simplifying your own life. This frees up more time, money, you will be less stressed.
New scenario: You and your wife take a day off on the kids INSET day, go to the park, share a lovely picnic, chat together, take photos and take a walk around the lake...
Kids: Dad, this is the best day EVER! Can we do this more often?
Dad: I think I might know a way...
Wife: You are definitely NOT sleeping in the spare room tonight bigboy...
Eat one meal a day simplified and improved my life in a way that I can only explain it as a "lifehack". I guess it is the dirty little secret of a lot of people.
I fast all day and eat all my needs at night, a huge and delicious meal and dessert. There are a tons of benefits, in logistics/time, health and aesthetics. Google for intermittent fasting or "The Warrior Diet".
Plus I sleep better if I only eat a light meal in the evening. I tend to have a very light breakfast, decent meal at lunch time, light meal in the evening. I keep the sugar out and carbs low.
I guess different things work for different people.
There is some effect at work here though, individual experiences may differ. If I eat one meal per day after that meal I will feel lazy and quite tired.
So if I finally ate at 6pm, hours later than 6pm I would feel like sleeping.
If I finally eat any later than 6pm I will start getting weak/shaky beyond 6pm.
This isn't a result of lack of acclimation. I've done fasting for 4+ month stretches multiple times in the past 6 years and have even experimented with 24+ hour fasts on a regular basis.
> If I eat one meal per day after that meal I will feel lazy and quite tired.
It takes some days/weeks (dependending on the individual) for your body to switch from carbs-only to carbs & fat burning so when you feel lazy and tired it is because your body is not properly burning fat to supply you with the energy required thus asks for food always that it depletes carbs of easy access.
> If I finally eat any later than 6pm I will start getting weak/shaky beyond 6pm.
Yup! I feel the same. I eat 8-9pm and around 11pm I sleep like a baby. Win-win.
I've committed to telling the truth, even when it's difficult or unpleasant. I no longer have to keep track of what I had said or what I should say and I know nothing's going to come back and bite me later.
It means at times I deal with the unpleasantness but I'd rather that than fearing whether it will come out later. This book by Sam Harris was a large influence https://www.samharris.org/lying.
This wasn't an easy change to make, because we all know it can be really easy to lie and move past an issue at times, but the trust that builds over time when people know you will be truthful is incredible and freeing for both parties.
One of the other benefits that stemmed from this is I no longer feel as though I'm robbing people of the information they need to make a conscious decision.
Interesting answer! I think this is even truer when it comes to lying to myself.
Trying to pretend something that does not match reality can create enormous stress. I realised this one day when I had rather strong feelings of being burned-out without actually being in stressful situations (like working long hours etc). All my stress came from inside me.
Do more and more with less and less. In the end do everything by doing nothing. It all starts with going inward and finding your self with meditation. I follow Heartfulness, feel free to explore and do what works best for you.
blocked all social media(except HN) and news sites. It truly changed my life, I am not it continuos gloom and doom mood, my mind is in a clam exploration mode rather than some sort of media induced frenzy. I am unable to access some good links to medium from HN but I am willing to pay that price.
I've done this for over 8 months now, never going back to reading "news".Ignorance is bliss.
I was using this heuristic for a while and then realized i hadn't left the house in 3 weeks... SO it might not be the best thing for serial introverts.
One monitor - reduce distractions that weren’t ever really helping.
Paper/physical books - reduce distractions and interaction friction from medium in reading on.
Taking notebooks to meetings and when I’m out. This helps especially when I just need to jot an idea or thought down without getting myself hit with a million notifications.
Recently I stopped keeping lists, using todo list managers etc. It's destressed me a lot. Time crucial stuff gets noted on a paper calendar, but that's all.
Another +1 for dropping social media. Nothing anyone posts on Facebook is going to change your life
One thing that drastically simplified my life and removed an incredible amount of stress was getting rid of my car. Since graduating college in 2010, I have moved apartments ~13 times and lived in 4 different cities (Baltimore, D.C., Denver, Breckenridge, and ~NYC). Initially, I needed a car to drive to work, but then I got a new job which allowed me to walk to work. I still kept my car because it was already paid off, but it was an incredible source of stress for a bunch of reasons:
- What day of the week is it? Do I need to move the car for street cleaning today? (If I get this wrong, I get a parking ticket).
- Did I remember to lock the car and put all of the windows up? (I once thought that all of the windows were up not realizing that one of the back windows was open a few inches and my car was broken into).
- What do I have to do to register my car in this new city? How much will it cost and when can I take an entire day off work to go do it? Can I even complete all of the required steps in one day?
- The car is making a strange sound. I better get it to a mechanic. How do I find a good mechanic? How much will it cost to get it fixed? That feels like a really high price, should I get a second opinion? Where do I find a second mechanic? When am I able to take off work to bring the car to the mechanic?
- I have to fly out of town for work/pleasure. Where do I park my car while I'm gone. Parking at the airport is really expensive, but maybe the best option? Can I leave it parked on the street? What are the parking rules for my neighborhood?
- Car insurance. Am I getting a good deal? Do I have to do anything when I move addresses and/or states? Am I covered if a friend borrows my car? etc, etc
- Costs associated with gas, insurance, maintenance, loan...
I had a huge amount of anxiety from constantly worrying about the cost associated with owning a car and the required time to maintain it. Eventually, my car got old enough that I couldn't justify putting more money into it and I sold it for a nominal amount to CarMax. I should have done it sooner. It was an interesting transition to not owning a car, but was overall incredibly liberating. I had removed an entire source of stress from my life and haven't looked back since. I don't plan to buy another car anytime soon.
To get around now, I rely much more heavily on public transportation, biking, walking, and Lyft/Uber, Car2Go, non-profit carshare programs, etc. I also don't hesitate to rent a car from Enterprise/etc if I need one for an errand, vacation, etc. Being able to give the car back when I'm done with it and literally not having to worry about anything is quite amazing.
Disclaimer: I realize that some people need a car to get to work or for other important reasons. I'm not saying that owning a car is bad or encouraging anyone else to go sell their car to CarMax tonight. I'm just sharing my story about removing a source of stress that I had in my personal life.
Some examples: eliminated social media, never watch, read or listen to live TV or news, don't own a smartphone, own very few personal possessions, have very few clothes, only own electronic books (with a couple of exceptions). Never read, watch or listen to anything with adverts. Moved from a large, expensive house into a rented cottage in the countryside (which had the side effect of freeing up enough money to live almost indefinitely without work, and absolutely until my pension kicks in), changed from permanent to contract-only work, reduced time worked dramatically, simplified diet, simplified health and fitness, and on and on...
The key turning point really is the understanding, actually the revelation, that debt-fuelled consumerism will never give you happiness and contentment. It's like a curtain was lifted and you say "Oh my God, I wasn't expecting THAT!". The trouble is most people don't believe it. Like the Matrix - you have to see it for yourself - one day it will happen.
This is just one small detail in an overall strategy to simplify though - it's not just about owning fewer things, it's about simplifying so I have more freedom to live to the priorities that make me happy: freedom, health, less stress, more time and on and on.
- I have stopped consuming (news, politics, articles, videos, etc) and have started creating more (drawing, writing, building, etc)
- I have adopted the idea of digital minimalism, using only the essential applications, not participating in social media (hi, hn!), no roaming the internet/using the internet less, etc
- Also, physical minimalism, again only the necessities: comfortable bed, desk, chair, bookshelf, simple and fashionable clothes and shoes, etc
- Food minimalism? Eat only well-cooked, healthy food, also fruits and vegetables, drink only water, fruit drinks and wine/beer on the special occasion
- Taking time to reflect and being consciously aware of what I consume and whether I ought to stop or continue consuming x and y
- Exercise/proper sleep (hiking, swimming in the ocean, cycling rather than driving, etc), the backbones of my life
- Again, doing away with non-essentials: television in your bedroom, unhealthy food, fancy materialistic items, etc
- More of the natural things and less of the artificial things: more: sitting in my backyard and watching the night sky, walking in the morning, etc less: roaming the internet, using my mobile device, having headphones in when there are people who I can talk to around me, etc
- Most importantly: less thinking, no worrying, no comparing, no using labels and identifications, no judging, no interpreting every experience I experience, more just being with no interpretation, natural mind > cultured mind, etc
Bookmarking is overwhelming. I tried Pocket (the bookmarking tool) a few years ago and I would just bookmark everything I came across that I found interesting but not get around to reading anything at all out.
It’s not efficient if you would like to read a book online, but now I do all the online reading once I come across it or not at all.
Delete as many apps from your phone as possible. If you can do it on a computer, ditch it.
Turn off notifications. Check apps when you're ready, not when it tells you it needs attention.
Personal hack, using Tasker, the phone stays in monochrome except for a few apps. HM and websites feel more like newspapers. Simpler in a cognitively relaxing way.
Start small and collect all the stuff you didn't touch for more than 1 year - don't throw it away, just put it in the cellar and after a few months realising you don't need/want it give it away.
For me, category A includes things like the toilet plunger, flashlight, certain OTC medicines and first aid supplies, and the like. A few flattened cardboard boxes. A couple faded old towels. That step stool in the back of the closet. An extension cord.
Category B includes a minimum quantity of formalwear (tuxes may be easy to rent; heels that don't cause bleeding are another story), snow gear or an emergency generator in certain climates, perhaps certain types of cookware, etc.
As for category C... you don't use houseplants, but having a couple around can work wonders for your quality of life. The same goes for a poster/painting or two to liven your environment, or a few framed snapshots of family and friends. These aren't things that complicate your life - once you have them they don't cost money or significant time to maintain; there's no real pressure to keep accumulating more - and they're good for the soul.
Which is also why category D is important. Yes, you need to let go of things, and no, you shouldn't keep that takeout carton just because your ex touched it. But there are some things - that art project your kid made, or the cufflinks your grandfather left you, or the scarf your mom knit you the year before she died - that have value far beyond their utility. The challenge there is to decide which ones are really important.
But there is stuff most of us should be much more ruthless about getting rid of (living in a small apartment can help develop the ruthlessness habit; so can moving frequently). Top of the list for many of us is clothing. Stuff for hobbies we wanted to take up or just never get around to. Small kitchen appliances. Electronics and gadgets. Knick-knacks and collectibles. All the stuff you keep accumulating more of but that don't actually add anything to your life.
Hehehe.
Dad: Hey, I'm run ragged with stress and work and my life sucks. I think this simplify thing might help. Let's start by getting rid of the flatscreen TV and the couch.
Kids (much wailing and gnashing of teeth): No, no, nooooo!
Wife: You are sleeping in the spare room tonight asshat.
This scenario probably plays out a thousand times up and down the country.
This is like a solved problem (see any number of resources such as Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez, Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin, blogs by The Minimalists, Mr. Money Moustache, Early Retirement Extreme, ad infinitum...).
My advice, you can start by simplifying your own life. This frees up more time, money, you will be less stressed.
New scenario: You and your wife take a day off on the kids INSET day, go to the park, share a lovely picnic, chat together, take photos and take a walk around the lake...
Kids: Dad, this is the best day EVER! Can we do this more often?
Dad: I think I might know a way...
Wife: You are definitely NOT sleeping in the spare room tonight bigboy...
Plus I sleep better if I only eat a light meal in the evening. I tend to have a very light breakfast, decent meal at lunch time, light meal in the evening. I keep the sugar out and carbs low.
I guess different things work for different people.
Not what really happen though. When you eat less frequently, your body improves insuline usage and glucose levels stay steadily all day.
So if I finally ate at 6pm, hours later than 6pm I would feel like sleeping.
If I finally eat any later than 6pm I will start getting weak/shaky beyond 6pm.
This isn't a result of lack of acclimation. I've done fasting for 4+ month stretches multiple times in the past 6 years and have even experimented with 24+ hour fasts on a regular basis.
It takes some days/weeks (dependending on the individual) for your body to switch from carbs-only to carbs & fat burning so when you feel lazy and tired it is because your body is not properly burning fat to supply you with the energy required thus asks for food always that it depletes carbs of easy access.
> If I finally eat any later than 6pm I will start getting weak/shaky beyond 6pm.
Yup! I feel the same. I eat 8-9pm and around 11pm I sleep like a baby. Win-win.
> This isn't a result of lack of acclimation.
Now this is a point difficult to prove.
It means at times I deal with the unpleasantness but I'd rather that than fearing whether it will come out later. This book by Sam Harris was a large influence https://www.samharris.org/lying.
This wasn't an easy change to make, because we all know it can be really easy to lie and move past an issue at times, but the trust that builds over time when people know you will be truthful is incredible and freeing for both parties.
One of the other benefits that stemmed from this is I no longer feel as though I'm robbing people of the information they need to make a conscious decision.
Trying to pretend something that does not match reality can create enormous stress. I realised this one day when I had rather strong feelings of being burned-out without actually being in stressful situations (like working long hours etc). All my stress came from inside me.
I've done this for over 8 months now, never going back to reading "news".Ignorance is bliss.
Paper/physical books - reduce distractions and interaction friction from medium in reading on.
Taking notebooks to meetings and when I’m out. This helps especially when I just need to jot an idea or thought down without getting myself hit with a million notifications.
Another +1 for dropping social media. Nothing anyone posts on Facebook is going to change your life
- What day of the week is it? Do I need to move the car for street cleaning today? (If I get this wrong, I get a parking ticket).
- Did I remember to lock the car and put all of the windows up? (I once thought that all of the windows were up not realizing that one of the back windows was open a few inches and my car was broken into).
- What do I have to do to register my car in this new city? How much will it cost and when can I take an entire day off work to go do it? Can I even complete all of the required steps in one day?
- The car is making a strange sound. I better get it to a mechanic. How do I find a good mechanic? How much will it cost to get it fixed? That feels like a really high price, should I get a second opinion? Where do I find a second mechanic? When am I able to take off work to bring the car to the mechanic?
- I have to fly out of town for work/pleasure. Where do I park my car while I'm gone. Parking at the airport is really expensive, but maybe the best option? Can I leave it parked on the street? What are the parking rules for my neighborhood?
- Car insurance. Am I getting a good deal? Do I have to do anything when I move addresses and/or states? Am I covered if a friend borrows my car? etc, etc
- Costs associated with gas, insurance, maintenance, loan...
I had a huge amount of anxiety from constantly worrying about the cost associated with owning a car and the required time to maintain it. Eventually, my car got old enough that I couldn't justify putting more money into it and I sold it for a nominal amount to CarMax. I should have done it sooner. It was an interesting transition to not owning a car, but was overall incredibly liberating. I had removed an entire source of stress from my life and haven't looked back since. I don't plan to buy another car anytime soon.
To get around now, I rely much more heavily on public transportation, biking, walking, and Lyft/Uber, Car2Go, non-profit carshare programs, etc. I also don't hesitate to rent a car from Enterprise/etc if I need one for an errand, vacation, etc. Being able to give the car back when I'm done with it and literally not having to worry about anything is quite amazing.
Disclaimer: I realize that some people need a car to get to work or for other important reasons. I'm not saying that owning a car is bad or encouraging anyone else to go sell their car to CarMax tonight. I'm just sharing my story about removing a source of stress that I had in my personal life.