“We are living in a culture of speed.” These are the words that Tias Little opened up with during a yoga training at Breathe Together Yoga a few months ago. Think: fast food, fast internet, fast workout, fast lane, immediate text replies, immediate likes on social media – the list goes on and on. These words correlate to consumerism today, from the large amounts of waste we produce to why more and more people are suffering from high levels of stress and anxiety.
Tias proposed that slowing down is an antidote to the speed culture. The very practice of moving slower gives way to calming the mind, becoming more aware and present. In short, it allows us to feel more at peace. Even though I, myself, can get caught up in the rat race, this simple teaching made so much sense to me and I thought to myself, “Who wouldn’t want more of that in their lives?”
In my monthly ”Simple-Clean Living” column, I’ve been outlining ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Slowing down allows our lives to become simpler. And when we simplify, we get to focus on what’s really important. With awareness, we can make our way back home. We can become better at discerning and prioritizing, letting go of what doesn’t serve us anymore. When we step out of the hamster wheel, we get to enjoy life here and now (and make sense of it all).
Now, I am not implying that a shift toward a simple living lifestyle is easy. In fact, when I decided to start shifting toward this transformative lifestyle, I was confronted with numerous obstacles. The major ones: resistance from the family, difficulty letting go of convenience, and the inevitable challenges that come with forming new habits, routines, and beliefs.
Despite the hurdles, what has motivated me all this time is the belief that the benefits are far greater than the challenges. But, as with every new endeavour, a few more things may be necessary to stay motivated and on track. If you’re considering simplifying your life, here are five ways to stay motivated and be successful as you transition to a similar, minimal lifestyle:
- Define your what-why-how. Whenever I need to get clear about a new project or goal, it’s really useful to define these three points. For instance:
- What: I want to lead a simple-clean lifestyle and reduce unnecessary waste.
- Why: In addition to a positive environmental impact, when I am living more consciously, I feel happier, less stressed, and a greater sense of well-being. My family feels closer and spends more quality time together. It frees up my time and allows me to save more money.
- How: Declutter, buy in bulk, etc. (Check out my comprehensive guide for more ways to live more sustainably.)
- Make it a team effort. Get your family involved from the beginning or recruit some accountability buddies. Talk to friends and find out if they’d be interested in sharing experiences. This is by no means something you are meant to do on your own. In fact, the more others close to you get involved, the more you will get to enjoy the process and your successes.
- Take one step at a time. As they say, “Rome was not built in one day.” Similarly, you do not need to expect to change your lifestyle right away. Being present with every little step you take will make the next steps clearer and more attainable.
- Celebrate your successes. No matter how small or big, they all count!
- Slow down, pause, and breathe. At the very heart center of a simple-clean lifestyle is the extra time, money saved, and happier moments shared with loved ones. So, take your time to enjoy it and breathe it all in.
