A Quick Checklist for Living a Simpler Life
June 22nd, 2011 - Guest Post - 30 Comments »
This is a guest post from my friend Sam Davidson. Yeah, that Sam Davidson. He’s written here before, and today he takes a look at a few things no one should have more than one of. Make sure to comment for a chance to win his new book, Simplify Your Life.
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No one says it, but really, when you ask most people how they’re doing, if they were honest, they’d tell you, “Stressed. Overworked. Out of whack. Lost. Confused. Catching up. Stupid busy. Hectic. In need of a solution to my super-complicated life.”
Enter the answer to everyone’s problems.
To write my newest book, Simplify Your Life, I spent the better part of last year thinking about organization, multi-tasking, clutter, stress, and work/life balance. You know, stuff that you wish you had time to think about but you don’t, so you’ll happily shell out $14.95 to let me tell you how to make this all happen (Bonus: If you include my previous book, 50 Things Your Life Doesn’t Need to your order, you only need to add this oil spout to get free shipping).
The other reason you should own Simplify Your Life: Tyler Stanton’s endorsement on Page 2. It’s only the second time the name of his book has appeared in print, and if you visit his boyhood home, you’ll find this page framed next to his perfect attendance certificate from VBS and a photo of him on a family vacation to Colonial Williamsburg. What can I say? His parents are proud.
Of me, that is.
On to more pressing matters. For those of you who don’t even have time to read the rest of my book – and thus are all the more in need of reminders about keeping things simple – I offer the following list. Follow this handy checklist and you’re at least one step closer to simplifying your life:
Things no one should have more than one of:
- Wife/husband (unless you’re Mormon or famous)
- iPad
- Nose (does not apply to Bryan Allain)
- Appearances on reality TV
- Earring (if you’re a guy)
- Nose ring (if you’re a human)
- Maid
- Unidentified growth (more than one mandates a doctor visit)
- Panic room
- Nobel prize (any more and you’re just showing off)
- Weird uncle
- Mustache
- Oil spout
- Stories per conversation about things you think are awesome but I don’t (namely: horsepower, movies about vampires, partisan politics, weight loss fruit shakes, or underground mix tapes)
- Copies of Everyday Absurdities (exception: uneven coffee tables that require more than 100 pages to make level)
- Baby daddy
- Elevator in your guest house.
Make sure your life only has one each of the above list and you’re on your way to an easier existence.
Got your own ideas about a simpler lifestyle? Weigh in –
What else do you think people only need one of?
I’ll pick a winner at random to win a copy of Sam’s book AND a copy of my book. Or, if you prefer, just a copy of Sam’s book. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow.











