IN THIS ISSUE:

I. An Eight-Year Review
II. 5 Quick Tips
III. Their Quotes
IV. References
V. VRSelfHelp.com Free Resources

I. An Eight-Year Review

VOLUME 9 ISSUE 1. Wow. As I look at the Volume Number for this issue, I realize that I've been writing this newsletter for 9 years. In looking at past issue numbers, I also noticed that I used to write more newsletters per year than I do today. I know I want to write newsletters and that I want to support you, my subscriber, but I must admit there are times when I wonder what new things or new ways I might have to share with you to help you simplify your life.

It does seem there are always new physical "tools" on the market to help you "simplify." New organizing systems, new storage containers, new day planners. (I know what I actually need is a new mental storage container or organizing system for all of my thoughts!)

Given that my newsletters also have been a refection of the things I've been learning, doing and changing in my life, the question for me today is, “what am I doing now that I wasn't doing 9 years ago?” And there are some things!

1. I'm eating more organic foods and reading labels even more than before. That has created its own challenge for me to “keep it simple!” Making one shopping trip to one grocery store is a thing of the past. For the variety of good, healthy foods along with good tastes that my husband and I desire, I now have 4 different grocery stores to go to (5 if you count Costco and I'm a big fan of Costco!). However, the quality of what we eat has become more important to us so it's worth the extra planning and shopping time. Simplifying creates it's own new challenges!

2. I've increased the time I spend on my morning routine, which includes yoga, meditation and breakfast. It's longer than before which means that something else was eliminated. What's funny is that I don't remember what I used to do in that time frame before! What I do know is that when something is important to me, I am able to easily add it to my life and eliminate something else that isn't serving me as well. I don't have to "think" about making these types of changes anymore, I just "do it!" Simplifying sometimes manifests itself!

3. I exercise more than before. In addition to my daily morning yoga, I go to the fitness center twice a week for a weight class. I prefer to do that rather than doing it on my own at home. Iwalk at least three times a week which includes playing and walking the golf course once a week, and doing errands like going to the post office which is a little over a 2 mile round trip from our house. With these exercise routines in my life, I feel much better today! Simplifying can mean doing what you already do, just in a different fashion!

4. When I think of simplifying, I do know one area where we do a great job in our lives. That's recycling. It's become such an ingrained “as we go” part of all our activities. We have recycle boxes in our offices to catch mail, envelopes, and other office papers. We use the backside of paper. We donate goods, reuse or find a home for older electronic parts. In fact, we now only need to put the "garbage" out every other week. It's simple for us to put approved paper, metal and glass in one container and garbage in another. We used to have to separate into four containers, but a few years ago, even our city trash company “simplified,” and now we have only two! Simplifying can be done by anyone.

5. I definitely have more "free" time than I gave myself 9 years ago. Back then, I was still a person of "shoulds." I rarely sat down without thoughts of what I “should” be doing, something for my "new" Simplify Life business, or something around the house or yard. My “to do list” was consistently long and I always had a lot to choose from, yet a lot wasn't always getting done. Simplifying is often just waiting to happen!

As I look at the differences between now and then, I see that a big difference is with "conscious choices." Today, I am making those kind of choices related to how I want to live my life and spend my time. It has become as easy to say “yes” to the things I do want in my life as it is to say “no” to those I don't. I am clear in what I do and don't want without feeling guilty about saying so.

I think another key element for me was that I didn't try to change everything all at once. This has been an on-going process rather than a quick project. If there's a lot of "clutter" in all parts of your life (things, activities, people), it's more effective to choose one small clearing project and then another small one until clearing becomes a process that, in itself, becomes part of your life.

So what's next for me? I've had my eye on how to incorporate even more renewable energy sources and biodegradable products into our home. Just like the organic foods, it will probably take new time and energy. However, given the way I've simplified my life so far, I have that time and energy to dedicate to my “next project.”

By the way, as I begin the 9th year of this newsletter, I'd like to remind you that issues from all 8 previous years of “Making Life Simpler” are available on my website at www.simplifylife.com. Just click on the Making Life Simpler link to find the back issues and glance at the headlines for ideas and tips on the part of the simplification process you'd like to work on next.

Warmly,

Linda

II. 5 QUICK TIPS

1. How long have you been in the process of simplifying your life? Whether it's been days, months, or years, can you look back and observe the ways in which you've changed? Looking back can help you see your progress and even lead you to where you want to head next.

2. Break down your "projects" to the smallest part needed for you to take action. Keep your focus on just that one part until it is completed and then move on and choose the next.

3. You will probably have to "eliminate before you add." Keep this as your motto because it works well in all areas of your life. For example, go through your closet and drawers and donate unworn clothes each time you buy new clothes. Say “no thank you” to participating in any activity that you know deep down you don't have the time to do well and say “yes” to new found time to devote to the things that are important to you.

4. Consciously choose what's important to you in your life. Choose the people, activities, and things and put what's important to you first.

5. Always remember that the “work” to simplify isn't always difficult. Many times, it just presents itself when you simply make a small, positive change in your life. You know it's happened when you feel relieved, relaxed, stress-free, and happier about a decision you made! Have fun! Simplify!

III. THEIR QUOTES

"It is your choices that make you uniquely you." - Walter Anderson
Source: The Confidence Course: Sevens Steps to Self-Fulfillment by Walter Anderson

"Sometimes we become locked into a short-term pattern of reacting to immediate needs and missing the long-term benefits of positioning ourselves to deal with more important life issues and priorities." - Eric Allenbaugh
Source: Wake-Up Calls : You Don't Have to Sleepwalk Through Your Life, Love, or Career! by Eric Allenbaugh

"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want." - Margaret Young
Source: Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach

IV. REFERENCES

The Simplify Your Life tips book is now available as a $3.00 ebooklet. You can read some of the tips by going to: http://www.simplifylife.com/i-tips.html. Or just Shop The Store at http://www.simplifylife.com/store.html and have your ebooklet sent to you as a PDF file today.

To find more resources, go to

http://www.simplifylife.com/reference.html

V. VRSELFHELP.COM FREE RESOURCES

Connecting Physical, Mental Health, and Wellness Education with compatible self-help products and programs to help you create your complete personal growth and wellness plan.

Here are some free resources you might find helpful:

Under Education / Articles / Feature Article
"Attaining Inner Peace with Two Rules" by Don Miguel Ruiz
http://www.vrselfhelp.com/education/articles/default.asp

Under Education / Articles / Stress
"Stress, Fear & Creating a Career/Life You Can Love" by Hershey Wier, MBA
http://www.vrselfhelp.com/education/articles/2003_wier.asp

Under Shopping / Assessments
"Self-Defeating Self-Talk" Parts One and Two by Dr. Robert Gore
http://www.vrselfhelp.com/shopping/shopping.asp?pid=15
(This item is normally free to members and $1.00 for non-members. I have adjusted the non-member price to FREE for the month of April only.)

MORE ABOUT "MAKING LIVES SIMPLER"

Linda Manassee Buell is a full-time Personal and Business Coach, and author of the tips eBooklet, "Simplify Your Life, 101 Ways to Create the Life You Love," the audiotape, "Simplify Your Life, 7 Simple Strategies for Doing What You Love to Do," the revised edition of the workbook, "Simplify Your Life: A Journey of Personal Discovery," and her latest book, "Panic and Anxiety Disorder, 121 Tips, Real-life Advice, Resources & More." She is also the President and Executive Director of The Virtual Reality Self-Help Center, vrselfhelp.com, an Internet- based resource center for mental well-being.

To order your personal copy of any of the above by check or credit card, just go to http://simplifylife.com and click on "Shop the Store."

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The contents herein are solely the opinions of Simplify Life and Linda Manassee Buell.

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