From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Simple Living by Georgene Lockwood, 2000.

Chapter 8: Location, Location! The Simple Truth about Where You Live

“The country has its charms — cheapness for one.” Robert Smith Surtees

The Least You Need to Know

1. Before making a move, you can make a lot of progress toward your simple living lifestyle right where you are.
2. After researching your own community, you may realize you’re better off staying put.
3. City, suburb, or country — each has its own set of advantages, opportunities and challenges.
4. You’ll make an easier transitionh to a new community if you send plenty of time there in advance, get involved right away, and learn to adapt to the way things are done.

Things to Consider when Contemplating whether to Move or Stay Put

For each catetgory, identify the advantages and disadvantages of where you are now and where you are thinking of moving to (or multiple other places, if that’s appropriate.)

1. Cost of Living.
2. Safety, crime and law enforcement.
3. Weather.
4. Health.
5. Environment.
6. Character.
7. Education.
8. Natural resources.
9. Transportation.
10. Culture and Entertainment.

Humans tolerate a lot. Often, we’re taught not to complain, that life is difficult, not to rock the boat, to go along with others, to be grateful for what we have, to be understanding. Not bad advice, but we can still stop tolerating what is bugging us!

When a person has stopped tolerating

• They are happier, more fun to be around.
• They have extra energy to express their values vs their egos.
• They have the Edge: they “step-over” nothing.

What happens when one tolerates

• They and their work becomes mediocre; people are tired.
• Natural creativity is squashed.

THE 10 STEPS TO A TOLERATION-FREE LIFE

❑ Get” that putting up with things is good for no-one.
❑ Make a list of 10 things you are tolerating at home.
❑ Make the requests/take the actions to eliminate these items.
❑ Make a list of 10 things you are tolerating at work.
❑ Take the actions to eliminate these items.
❑ “Get” that you’re getting juiced by tolerating things!
❑ Be focused to being toleration-free.
❑ Stop complaining: instead, make a strong plea.
❑ Invest $1000 to handle the tasks/chores which pain you.
❑ Do steps 1-9 above, again, after you’ve done them once! Number of checked boxes (10 max)

_____ Number of items marked True (10 max)

____________________________
From The Personal Foundation 100-Point Assessment developed by Thomas J. Leonard and Coach U, Inc. Modified by LMK.

When you’re ready to de-junk and unclutter your home, the first step is to get four boxes together. Identify each box as follows and then go to town!

Box 1, Junk
Into this box goes obvious trash and stuff so awful you don’t want to sic it on anyone else, even if it’s in perfect condition.

Box 2, Charity
It’s still good and useful, but not for you — you don’t want, need or like it anymore. So put it in here and pass it along to a friend, relative or the charity of your choice.

Box 3, Sort
It’s something you need or want, but it isn’t doing you any good where it is now. Drop it in here so it can be put in position to actually be used.

Box 4, Emotional Withdrawal
Into this box go things you know you should get rid of, but you can’t quite bring yourself to do it. When it’s full, put it in the garage or attic with a date 6 months into the future. If you get to that 6 month date and haven’t gone into it, give it to your favorite charity without looking at it for ‘one more look’.

From How to Handle 1,000 Things At Once by Don Aslett, as offered in Lists to Live By, The 3rd Collection compiled by Alice Grav, Steve Stephens, John van Diest and modified by Louise Kaelin.