National Simplicity Day
National Simplicity Day was created to honor Henry David Thoreau, a great American naturalist, poet, historian, and transcendentalist. Thoreau is widely renowned for his many writings on the natural world, the human spirit, and perhaps most famously, the art of simplicity. On National Simplicity Day, we are all encouraged to step back from our busy lives and contemplate little ways in which to enjoy the simple things.
Here are some suggestions on getting back to basics, staying present, and appreciating life as it is.
Practice Mindfulness
Meditation is an effective way to step back from the stresses and responsibilities of the day. If you are still a beginner when it comes to meditation, don’t worry— all it takes is a little breath work, a place to sit, and the right mindset. Set aside a block of your day where you can have a quiet room or outdoor space to yourself, get comfortable, and make sure you are free from distractions such as your phone. Concentrate on keeping your eyes closed and your breathing steady, gently brush aside stressful thoughts, and let your mind wander.
Make a regular habit of practicing this mindful state, and always begin each session with a goal in mind; you can choose to make the day’s meditation session about silencing negative thoughts, relieving stress, promoting mental clarity by allowing yourself to freely contemplate your day or your surroundings, or simply allowing yourself time to rest and reflect. Whatever the goal may be, you will find that the time spent without distractions is both refreshing and energizing.
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”
Simplify Your Routine
If you sat down and documented your whole morning, from the time you woke up to when you started the day’s work, what portion of time would you find was spent on nonessential tasks? Similarly, if you laid out all the items in your work bag, briefcase, or or purse, how many of these items would you say you truly use? By taking some time to re-organize your routines, your belongings, and even your living and working spaces, you can save time and effort spent on controlling all the chaos.
Start small by picking one or two efficiency goals to meet at a time. For organizing your schedule, these goals could be: cutting down on social media surfing, training yourself to wake up earlier in the day, making a weekly house-cleaning chart, and preparing meals ahead of time. Reorganizing your physical space can involve any little area of your life that feels cluttered, such as your desk, a closet, a kitchen drawer, or a vehicle. Though these tasks may seem small, even little steps taken towards having a simpler, more organized day can make a big difference.
“The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”
Incorporate Self Care
As we all take stock of our daily lives, we shouldn’t forget the importance of looking inward. Often, in the bustle and stress of normal life, we can take our mental and emotional health for granted and quickly become overwhelmed. National Simplicity Day is a great reason to take some time for rest and relaxation, and also make a plan to incorporate self care into your everyday life.
If you enjoy the spa experience, schedule weekly or monthly massages, facials, or acupuncture treatments to give yourself a well-deserved break. If reconnecting with nature is your preferred way to relax, plan visits to your local botanical gardens or make a habit of frequenting walking trails in your area to help recharge. Finally, if you are a homebody at heart, there’s nothing wrong with drawing a hot bath and relaxing with some scented candles and a good book.
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.”
Plan an Escape
Henry David Thoreau devoted his life to the admiration of the natural world, and championed the practice of stepping away from modern life in order to appreciate all that our planet has to offer us. In honor of Thoreau’s commitment to naturalism, plan a holiday retreat that gets you out of the city, out of the suburbs, and into the wild.
Remote cabins and lodges are an easy way to escape for a weekend, and provide the perfect balance of natural living and the comforts of home. Bring wood for the fireplace and a camera to capture the emotions of your journey. If camping brings you the most tranquility, national parks and local campgrounds in your area can provide all the marvels of nature that you’ve been looking for. Bringing a journal to record your thoughts, or a book on wildlife to name any animals you spot along the way, are just a few small yet impactful ways to appreciate life’s simple wonders and live the way Thoreau did.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear...I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life...”