simplicity on the brain

10 ways i have achieved a somewhat simple life

1. i have a basic cell phone, don't need to have the Internet with me everywhere i go
It’s like I read at this post- http://zenhabits.net/simple-balance/
“staying connected and plugged-in all the time causes enormous amounts of stress and clutters your mind.”
2. i don't buy expensive jewelry or get manicures/pedicures
3. i am not on facebook or twitter
4. my cable package is basic, no movie channels
5. if i have read a book or magazine, i pass it along
6. i re-evaluate my belongings constantly – I think about the freedom of having a clean slate
7. i resist the urge to buy something for a while. if it's still haunting me days later, then i buy it. i think in terms of ‘more money spent, less money saved.’
8. i stopped taking prescription anxiety medication, i trust myself to have gotten past that issue
9. i no longer eat red meat or rice regularly
10. i don't have credit card debt over $200 at any time (that's my self-imposed cap since I can pay it all off at once)

10 things i'm planning to do to simplify life even more

1. use my bike more often now that weather permits
2. look into second hand shopping if i want different clothes/decor
3. declutter my current clothes of duplicates or older items that i am tired of and don't wear- or like it says in Rachel Zoe’s book- ‘clothes that aren’t making me smile’
4. declutter my bookshelf of notes from my editing courses, all the same information (grammar rules, etc) is available in books that i own
5. exercise every day - make it non negotiable and schedule it. i am aiming for 30-60 minutes of cardio 3 times a week and 2 days a week of pilates to tone the upper body and become stronger. 60 minutes of cardio shouldn’t be too hard if it’s broken up and done 30 minutes at time- once in the morning, once in the evening.
6. reduce caffeine intake – this one is tough
7. go on a 9 day cleanse to try to improve my eating habits. a friend told me about 'ben's cleanse' which we are going to try out together. she knows someone who lost 45 pounds with this method
8. listen to relaxing music daily/pray more/meditate
9. figure out where having only one of something is enough- for example: one makeup bag, one set of pajamas, one towel, one travel/overnight bag, one perfume, one wristlet, one set of shorts in a particular color, one set of workout/errand clothes (etc) and get rid of the excess
10. eliminating ugly or unworn shoes
11. (bonus) I am searching for a job with a less stressful boss

song of the day