A couple of nights ago, I picked up a book from one of my housemate’s bookshelf called “How to Simplify Your Life: Seven Practical Steps to Letting Go of Your Burdens and Living a Happier Life”. I’m not one to read self help books, but decided that maybe the book could be somewhat insightful.
Step 1 – Simplify Your Things
I had a lot of things in DC and that was after getting rid of unneeded stuff when I moved twice in 3 years. Here in Banda, I started playing house with 2 suitcases that I carried out (that included packing my pillow). Over the last 11 months, I’ve definitely accumulated some stuff - 3 lamps from 3 different countries, a secondhand TV, myriad of clothes, bags, shoes and accessories, and lots of books and magazine. But when I look around my room, I use everything (including toiletries and makeup) at least once week and I wear all the things in my closet at least once every 2 weeks (except for those pieces of Aceh inappropriate clothing).
Step 2 – Simplify Your Finances
My paycheck gets transferred to my checking and savings accounts on the 10th of each month. My credit card and student loan get paid automatically on the 15th. My IRA automatically takes money out once a quarter. I don’t trade my stocks actively (haven’t touched them since I bough them 2 years ago). I have a couple of mutual funds that I don’t touch either. I use my per diem as my pocket money. I only go to the ATM when I have to buy a paper plane ticket.
I’d have to move to the island of Yap to further simplify my finances.
Step 3 – Simplify Your Time
Weekdays
7:30 Get up, jump rope or some other form of exercise and shower
8:00 Watch CNN/BBC while eating breakfast and checking email
9:00 To the office
12:30 Lunch in the office or out with friends
6:30 Out of the office
7:30 Cook dinner in the house or out with friends
8:30 Read/TV/Email/Blog or out for a few beers
11:30 To bed (later on weekend)
Within each Step, the book presents you with ‘Ideas’. Idea 14 is called “Escape Now and Then”. Just look at that list in the sidebar.
Step 4 – Simplify Your Health
I don’t smoke. I led an alcohol-free life for the first 7 months here. But lately, I’ve probably been having one too many beers a little too often. Got to cut back on that. I should follow up on Idea 19 and try to get a massage or cream bath (head massage) more often!
Step 5 – Simplify Your Relationships
Most relationships in Banda are professional relationships. I would like to think I have a really good relationship with my office staff (haven’t made anyone cry yet, and no one’s made me cry yet). Outside of my little microcosm that’s called DAI, I’m by no means completely hooked into the social scene in Banda, but I do have a circle of friends that I can rely on and hang out with regularly and know enough people to get invited to parties.
Step 6 – Simplify Your Life Partnership
Huh? What’s that?
I feel like my personal life has been on || pause the last year. Friends have had life altering moments since I’ve been here: started relationships, ended relationships, gotten engaged, gotten married, had babies, moved to a new city, a new country, a new continent. ‘Life Partnerships’ as the book calls it are difficult to start in Banda. Work is all-consuming for so many people and even when two interesting people meet and sparks fly, he may be in Jakarta next week and Singapore the one after that, and she may be in Calang the week after that.
My life is pretty drama-free here. But my friends’ dramas are enough to keep me entertained. You know who you are…
Step 7 – Simplify Your Self
Here’s where I get into trouble and could probably use some help. The book talks about goals and knowing your weaknesses and strengths. Goals? What goals. I better go figure some out and start thinking about an exit strategy…
Life is never simple, but my life is by far much simpler here than back in DC. Will I get completely spoiled by all this simplicity and go nuts when I return to a society with a complete different set of cultural norms? Only time will tell.
No comments:
Post a Comment