Simple

If I was asked what I'd want my ideal life to be but could only use one word to describe it I'd use the word simple.

I know, it's a broad word and what I see as simple could seem complicated to others however it is what I look for and try to create in my life; I succeed and fail in equal measure but success at finding simplicity makes me want more and the failures motivate me to try harder.

A simple life can come in many ways and I thought I'd share a few things that help me move towards it or remind me that I need to.

• Be a good communicator. Poor communication is one of the biggest causes of complexity between people so being better at it helps me remove some of that and move closer to simplicity.
• Discover things that make you proud and do more of them. This one is about happiness within oneself and extends to having the intention of excelling at the things you do, the motivation to work hard and be responsible for your actions.
• Remove negativity like the cancer it is which means influences, people (even if they're family), the blame-game and negative thoughts and habits.
• Plan ahead. This is as simple as filling up your fuel tank on the way home not in the morning when you may be stressed or hurried or by planning ahead for your week, month or year, and certainly your longer-term future. It might seem complicated but it's far easier to do little by little and planning well ahead of needing to rely on those plans.
• Learn to cook, set a weekly menu and shop only for those things you'll need; and buy/cook in bulk where possible.
• Eliminate social media, it's not enriching your life, connections or relationships, just complicating them - There's better ways to communicate and keep in touch.
• Understand that change is inevitable and that anything good or bad in your life will also. Accepting this simplifies the process of dealing with the change and also helps to create positive changes.
• Wake up early and do not snooze the alarm which is tantamount to putting your life on hold.
• Do not dwell on your mistakes and failures, learn from them, find new ways and move in those directions, dwelling on negatives and failures will not address them or change them from occurring again, action will.
• When you're thirsty, drink water. It's good for your brain and your body generally. This one is also a reminder to keep things (not just thirst) simple rather than choosing to over-complicate matters. There's often a simple solution so see and pursue it.

That's not an exhaustive list of items and not all of them, or maybe any of them, are relevant to you personally however they're things I actively do and have done for years. I'm not saying I always do every single thing stringently, like the water comment - I don't exclusively drink water - however taking these things and implementing them has brought more simplicity into my life and they're not even difficult to do, think or feel. It's about actively seeking to simplify (or actively seeking not to complicate) life across many areas all at once which has had a hugely positive effect on my life overall.

Now it's your turn, if you want to.

What things are on your own list of things that help you simplify or streamline your day to day life, remove complexity, angst and stress? Conversely, is it even a simple life you're looking for or do you thrive on leading a complicated lifestyle? Comment should you wish to.