National Simplicity Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

On July 12, it’s time to get back to fundamentals and celebrate National Simplicity Day! The holiday occurs annually on this date in honour of Henry David Thoreau, who was born on this date in 1817. Therefore, keep reading for contemporary suggestions on how to commemorate National Simplicity Day. As stated by Thoreau himself, “as you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will become simpler.”

The background of National Simplicity Day

Henry David Thoreau was a jack-of-all-trades — an author, environmentalist, abolitionist, and poet — but you presumably remember him primarily as a transcendentalist from your high school English class. In simple terms (see what we did there? ), he and his contemporary transcendentalists believed that individuals have knowledge about themselves that “transcends” all external forces in their lives. They advocated living a simpler existence in order to be more in touch with these emotions. Now, we’re not suggesting that you abandon your life and live in the woods for a few years, but we adore the idea of taking a day to evaluate your life and determine which aspects are the most essential to you.

National Simplicity Day was created to liberate individuals from the complexities and chaos of daily existence. As much as technology has made our lives easier, it has also consumed us and generated competition in all spheres of life, such as comparing lifestyles, increasing the desire to amass more possessions, and the notion that everyone should live an extravagant lifestyle. A basic lifestyle is rarely highlighted on social media. National Simplicity Day emphasises the significance of directing our attention inward and eliminating superfluous clutter from our lives. It is an opportunity to reconsider our requirements and recognise that “less is more.”

In recent years, minimalism has gained widespread popularity. In some countries, such as Japan, people have begun to realise that discarding unnecessary possessions can make their lives significantly joyful and less stressful. People are opting for timeless pieces to construct ‘capsule’ wardrobes as opposed to stockpiling fast fashion.

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NATIONAL SIMPLICITY DAY ACTIVITIES

Reread Walden

We know you haven’t read it since high school, so why not use Thoreau’s birthday as an excuse to bring it up again? Thoreau chose to isolate himself from society for two years in order to live as frugally as possible in a cabin in the forests near Walden Pond, and he reflected on his experiences in Walden. We realise it is unrealistic to expect you to give up television and takeaway for so long, but at least you can live vicariously through him.

disconnect from your devices

It may seem impossible to get through a day without Snapchatting, constantly checking your work email, posting to Instagram, and watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones, but attempt to challenge yourself to take a day off from your computer and smartphone. You’d be surprised how refreshing it can be to not be constantly connected to what’s happening in everyone else’s lives, and we’re willing to wager that when you log into Facebook the next day, you won’t have missed much.

declutter your dwelling

Whether you live in a studio flat or a four-bedroom residence, do you ever feel like you have too much stuff? Use Simplicity Day as an excuse to take a long, hard look at all your possessions and determine which are truly essential and which are simply taking up space. Donate everything that falls into the latter category; you’ll feel more at ease in your residence and you’ll have performed an additional good deed!

5 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT MINIMALISM

In the United States alone, $1.2 trillion is spent annually on non-essentials.

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle prevents the average female from spending approximately $125,000 on fashion accessories and clothing over the course of her lifespan.

There is no pressure or remorse to live a high-maintenance lifestyle, and doing less feels rewarding with a minimalist lifestyle.

Minimalism reveals how useless most items are in the long run, especially ‘just-in-case’ items; as a result, your desire to accumulate and acquire more diminishes, and you become more mindful of your purchases.

Being a minimalist enables you to pay attention and listen to what your body is telling you about what is truly essential, allowing you to make the necessary adjustments for a healthier lifestyle.

NATIONAL SIMPLICITY DAY DATES