CAN'T MISS: This will improve YOUR life

From unending chores and attention-seeking children to stressful jobs that squeeze every last drop of energy out of us, our lives seem to get busier by the day. Not only does this place an immense burden on us physically and emotionally, but it is also mentally exhausting, often inducing anxiety, poor eating habits, low libido, sleep deprivation, and frayed relationships with those closest to us. Though certainly not a panacea, making a conscious effort to simplify your life will help you feel more in control of it. What’s more, it’ll keep those nerves in check!

So what are some ways that you can keep your life simple?

For one, if you’re contemplating having a boatload of kids – say, five or six –  you can rest assured that a plethora of sleepless nights are in your future. Why not just aim for one or two and go from there?  You get the opportunity to experience the joys (and headaches) of parenthood without feeling as though you’ll be changing diapers into retirement. Let’s face it – children are draining and awfully expensive! Cute as they may be, having too many children is the perfect recipe for a stressful, migraine-prone life.

Moreover, the well-known truism “keep it simple, stupid” is one that should guide our purchase decisions. Why must so many people try so hard to keep up with the Joneses?  Do you really need a high-def television as opposed to a standard TV set?  Why opt for a shirt at Brooks Brothers when you can find plenty of nice ones at Marshall’s or Ross?  Why go for a Mercedes Benz when a Toyota Camry also gets you from A to B for thousands less?  Why push for a big house, which involves mowing the lawn and handling exterior repairs on your own, when a condo can give you a low-maintenance lifestyle?  

In the end, having to choose between different brands forces us to consider a slew of factors (price, quality, etc.) and thus eats away at our mental resources.  We’re also likely to experience cognitive dissonance – or buyer’s remorse – a feeling of regret after having made a purchase. 

Let me give you an example, Two years ago, I sought to sign up for a new credit card and found myself torn between between two choices: One card offered 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, with no sign-ups for rotating categories required. The other card offered 5% cash back on categories that rotate every quarter. At first blush, the latter seemed like a sweet deal, but the caveat with that card was that you had to activate such categories by a certain date, and since they’re always changing, you have no choice but to keep tabs on them every so often. Can you guess which card I chose? The hassle-free card, of course!

As any ardent shopper will tell you, shopping can be quite stressful. That’s why it helps to make a list of whatever it is you need before visiting Amazon.com or ambling to your local mall or grocery store.  Such organization can bring peace of mind and help minimize stress. Resist the urge to buy on a whim; focus only on those things you know you’ll use on a consistent basis. It’s easy to snap up something you think you’ll use fairly often, only to leave it collecting dust in a closet.  

Then there’s one’s choice of careers. Many people will chide you if you don’t decide to pursue a high-powered career a la medicine, law, or accounting. While such fields do pay handsome salaries, they tend to require longer days at the office. Various studies have confirmed that money buys happiness – but only up to a certain point. (Many have found that a salary above $75,000 doesn't make us any happier.) So if your job pays well but is causing you to work 60 hours a week and miss out on sleep, is it really worth it?  

A good night’s rest ensures that you’ll have a clear mind at work the next day, resulting in higher productivity.  If you’d rather angle for a “low stress” job, like that of a chef, hair stylish, or proofreader, and you know it won't bring financial hardship, go for it!  Money isn’t everything, and the less stress you have at work, the healthier you’ll ultimately be.

The pressures of everyday life can surely tax us -- physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s important that we take a few deep breaths each day and find ways to simplify our lives as much as possible. I think Thoreau was onto something when he said, “Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.” Why not strive for a simpler life?