I remember exactly where I was last January. I was working a twofer and hating every minute of it. What’s a twofer you ask? Well in my case, it’s when you work for one company and get contracted out to work at another: two companies, two managers, two sets of “rules”…you get the idea. Why am I telling you this? Because January 2011 was also when I decided to break free and re-commit to simple living.

You see, three months prior I’d realized that I had allowed my life to become complicated. I was unhappy and this time it wasn’t because my finances were in shambles. No, it was because I had committed to a job I knew was wrong for me and, in turn, sacrificed what I knew was right. My days were spent juggling. I had three computers on my desk: one for each company and my personal laptop. You can imagine how cluttered my calendar and desk must have been! Worst of all, my lifestyle encouraged schizophrenic consumption. For example, I lived a car-less lifestyle on the weekends, but during the week I rented one to go into the office. It was a complete waste of money. I needed relief. I craved simplicity.

Does any of this sound like your life? If so, I bet you’re aching to make some changes. You want to live a simpler life, but have you thought about what that means, exactly? Obviously, simple living means different things to different people, but there is a central theme that attracts many: less is more. But to have less, you have to let go–you have to break free.

But, how exactly do you break the mental and emotional chains of consumption and live simple? In this three-part series, I’ll break down three areas of simple living: Less Stuff, Less Distraction and More Meaning. I’ll share what I think are crucial points for each area (and hopefully you’ll share your thoughts too!) and provide some tips for success. Let’s start with getting rid of the stuff you don’t need. Continue Reading →