“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” –Joseph Campbell
In , Peter talked about the interplay between mindsets and environments, particularly as they relate to being a .
It got me thinking: for most of us, choosing to be happy requires a shift in our habits of mind. What is the environmental companion to this mindset, and what influence does one have on the other?
To answer this question, we must first understand what it means to be happy. I’ve found Foster and Hicks’s to be an excellent guide. They are:
1. Intention
2. Accountability
3. Identification
4. Centrality
5. Recasting
6. Options
7. Appreciation
8. Giving
9. Truthfulness
Assuming those 9 choices as our goal, what environment will most help us reach them? The answer will be different for everyone, but for me the starting point was clear: Get rid of the clutter that arose from an unhappy mindset.
In , Terah Kathryn Collins suggests we go through our things and ask ourselves, Do I love this? “Imagine,” she says, “being surrounded 100 percent by things that nourish, rejuvenate, and inspire you. In so doing, everything in your home becomes an Environmental Affirmation” (pg. 17).
Removing old clutter can take a long time, but a small gesture can make a big difference. For example, when I started this process several years ago, I had a stack of pictures from a past abusive relationship that I kept in a drawer (pictures seemed sacred somehow). Throwing them away was difficult, but also freeing in a way I couldn’t have imagined. Under the guidance of the book , I’m gradually letting go of the past and refilling my life with things I love.
I encourage you to do the same. Get rid of something in your home that’s keeping you unhappy (the more difficult it is to let go of, the more rewarding it will probably be).
How did this exercise go for you? What did you get rid of? Was it hard for you? Easy? How did you feel afterward?
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I love it Maile how you have taken a perspective and reapplied it giving me a fresh viewpoint worth considering. Thank you for referencing my post
Ditto on Peter’s comment. Check out nomad4ever referenced on the post about the Nomad Meme at the site you have linked in your post.
This is a guy who walked away from a VP position with a great career path.
Thanks for the comments. I find the digital nomad idea appealing because it’s so in line with Voluntary Simplicity. When you’re constantly on the move, you simply can’t get bogged down by stuff, and to me that’s a very good thing.