The Art of Subtraction

Aug 11

Here we are 17-months after life as we knew it came to a screeching halt. Our calendars are starting to fill up, traffic is back in full force, and crowds are forming. A familiar kind of stress is creeping in.

Be honest. Are you missing a bit of the pandemic-forced life of ‘less’?

During the shutdown, the pressures of showing up, being seen, and doing more were eliminated overnight. Our routines shifted and things we didn’t think possible came to be. We thought differently to do our best with what was handed to us. It was A LOT. The rhythm of life slowed down.

Without intending to, we subtracted stressors from our lives. Did new ones creep in? Yes, they did. Can we take what we learned and apply it to life going forward? Absolutely!

Subtracting, rather than adding, is a way to create room for what means the most to you. It helps you lighten your physical and mental load which leads to a happier life.

If the art of subtraction is appealing to you, start in the areas causing the most frustration and stress. Here are a few ideas for you:

Home:

live with less stuff - clear the clutter, donate the duplicates
organize what you have & keep your space clean - less stuff makes this easier!
order groceries online to save time
unsubscribe from email lists you never open or that encourage you to spend money
unfollow social accounts that don’t add value to your life
limit the time you spend on social media

Money:

create a budget to know where your money goes
spend less
reduce/eliminate debt
save for emergencies and retirement

Relationships:

end high-maintenance and toxic relationships
set boundaries and stick to them - get comfortable saying no
spend quality time with friends and loved ones

Mental health:

know your values and align your choices and actions with them
practice self-care daily - put it on your calendar
stop comparing yourself to others
be okay with failing - it’s how you learn!
find the joy in missing out

Physical health:

simplify your physical activity (see the MOVE article for more on this!)
schedule your next primary care physician appointment before you leave the office - do the same with the dentist
remove as many processed foods from your diet as possible

Schedule:

maintain blocks of time where nothing is scheduled (white space)
schedule recurring appointments as far out as possible - for example, if you have a monthly appointment with your stylist, schedule out the whole year at once
limit the number of appointments/meetings/events in a day and week

Once you start, you will find more ways to practice the art of subtraction. Go ahead. Start creating space for what means the most to you!

What have you simplified in your life? What was the easiest for you? What was the most challenging?

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