In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

We live in a complicated world, with taxes and devices and every imaginable complication the world can provide. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just take some time to keep things simple? To winnow life down to the bare essentials and hold onto it like the precious thing it is? Simplicity Day encourages you to do just that, to let go of all of life’s complications and live a day… simple.

WHEN IS NATIONAL SIMPLICITY DAY?

“Look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities,” on National Simplicity Day on July 12.

History of Simplicity Day

Simplicity Day was born out of a need to be free from the complications of the world and to allow ourselves to just be simple. Celebrate life through simplicity by turning off your devices, getting rid of complicated things and just let life be about living for a day.

One of the great conundrums of the modern world is that the more opportunities and options you have the less happy you’re going to be. Some of the happiest people in the world have been determined to be those who live in uncivilized areas concerning themselves only with what they’re going to eat that day and where a good place to sleep is.

We can learn much from them, though few of us would want to go to such extremes. However, we can all benefit from just cutting out the things that make our lives difficult. Simplicity Day is about getting rid of these complications and culling from your life what doesn’t bring you joy.

5 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT MINIMALISM

1. It reduces excessive waste

   $1.2 trillion a year is spent on buying non-essential items in the U.S. alone!

2. Shop til you drop

   The average female spends approximately $125,000 on fashion accessories and clothing in a lifetime — adopting a minimalist lifestyle prevents this.

3. Silence is golden

   With a minimalist lifestyle, you begin appreciating solitude and silence — there is no pressure or guilt to live a high-maintenance lifestyle, and doing less feels rewarding.

4. Do I really need that?

   Minimalism makes one realize just how useless most items are in the long run, especially the ‘just-in-case’ items — your obsession to collect and have more starts to wane, and you become more conscious about your purchases.

5. A healthier lifestyle

   Being a minimalist allows you to pay attention and listen to what your body is telling you about what is really important, and make the necessary changes for a healthier lifestyle.

NATIONAL SIMPLICITY DAY DATES