A Vacuum-less Life
One of the most frequent questions I'm asked about simplifying and slowing down is: "What if my husband/wife/kids/parents aren't onboard with adopting this lifestyle? How can I convince them to join me?"The short answer is: you can't.Unless you do it for them, which I don't suggest as an option because A) that's not really them joining you anyway and B) getting rid of stuff that doesn't belong to you is a really great way of pissing people off.The fact is, you can't force someone to adopt a new way of living.What you can do is start making changes to your own life. Declutter your belongings, start saying no, intentionally slow down, change the food you're eating, start moving more.You can make these changes, you can start to feel the benefits and maybe, just maybe, they will see those benefits and feel inspired to join you. But also, maybe not.The key to moving forward with these changes and being content with the impact it makes on your life is to understand this: You don't live in a vacuum.Your decisions, your choices, your actions have implications on those around you. If you start simplifying, slowing down, eating different foods, the people closest to you will notice. They might join you, they might be happy for the change, but they might not.Similarly, the decisions, choices and actions of those around you will have an effect on your life. They might pick up after themselves, they might honour your request to not buy toys for the kids, they might accept that you don't want to go to the candle party, but they might not.We don't live in a vacuum. And yet, wouldn't it be easier if we did?We could say no and not care and toss that annoying trinketty crap that clutters our flat surfaces. We could get rid of the toys our kids love but that drive us mad. We could let go of the old, holey t-shirt that is special to our boyfriend, and the expensive yet ultimately unused crystal wine glasses we were given as a wedding gift from a great aunt who asks about them when she visits.But that stuff is called life. Or, more specifically, it's called being part of someone else's life. There are thousands of ways our lives interlink with each others, some of which makes life easier, some make it more complex.So understand that you do not live in a vacuum. You will meet resistance. There will be friction. You will face challenges. But ultimately you are in control of your own choices and reactions, not anyone else's.And in terms of how to deal with this resistance and this friction, my philosophy is quite simple:Don't be a jerk. But don't be a doormat.Remind yourself to be grateful, to understand that we each have different love languages, to recognise that the world does not revolve around you and your desire to simplify.But also remind yourself that it's OK for you to want different things in life. To crave different outcomes. To want a slower home or a decluttered bedroom or an empty space on the calendar. You're allowed to want those things just as much as someone else is allowed to want their torn, holey t-shirt.Also remind yourself that you are in control of the choices you make and the reactions you have. You get to choose how these frictions feel. And you get to tell yourself that your relationships with the people you love are not defined by stuff at all. So either they will get on board, or they will not. Allow your vacuum-less life to continue on regardless, and enjoy all the moments and the links and the relationships in spite of your differences.Don't get caught up on what you cannot change. After all, creating a slower life is about saying no to unnecessary stress, and there's nothing more unnecessary than stressing about things you cannot change.
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In other news, I was recently interviewed by Joey over at Fearlessly Questioning. We spoke about slowing down, making room and how video games or Walking Dead comics fit into a simpler, slower life. (Hint: they totally do.) Head over here to see the video or check it out on iTunes.Finally, I'm interviewing Carl Honore this week for my upcoming podcast. If you have any questions you'd like me to ask him let me know in the comments.Enjoy your week!