On July 12, it is time to celebrate National Simplicity Day by getting back to basics. Every year, the holiday falls on this date to honor Henry David Thoreau who was born on July 12, 1817. So keep on reading for some modern-day tips on how to celebrate National Simplicity Day.
History
Henry David Thoreau was an author, a poet, an environmentalist, an abolitionist, and a transcendentalist. He and his contemporary transcendentalists believed, in simple terms that people have knowledge about themselves that “transcends” all the outer forces in their lives. They supported living a more uncomplicated life to better get in touch with those feelings. It is sometimes necessary to take a day to evaluate your life and find out what elements of it are simply the most essential to you.
This day was created to liberate individuals from the complications and fuss of daily life. Even though technology has made our lives easier, it has also swallowed us and created competition in all spheres of life such as increasing the desire for accumulating more things, comparing lifestyles, and the view that everyone should be living a luxurious life. A simple life barely gets the proper attention on social media. For this reason, National Simplicity Day highlights the significance of directing our focus internally and getting rid of the unnecessary chaos in our lives. It is an opportunity to re-assess our needs and understand that sometimes less is more.
The concept of minimalism has become widely popular in recent years. People in some countries like Japan have started to understand that if they get rid of items that don’t serve them any fulfilling purpose their lives can be less stressful and much happier. Minimalism has spread to areas such as fashion. In this domain, people are choosing timeless articles to create “capsule” wardrobes, instead of hoarding fast fashion.
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Timeline of National Simplicity Day
July 12, 1817 (Birth) – In Concord, Mass. Henry David Thoreau was born.
July 4, 1845 (Triple Twos) – Thoreau moved into the house near Walden Pond for 2 years, 2 months, and 2 days.
August 9, 1854 (Fresh off the Press) – “Walden; or, Life in the Woods” was published.
May 6, 1862 (Thoreau Died) – Thoreau died in Concord, Mass.
Traditions
National Simplicity Day is an opportunity to reflect and explore what we are filling our lives with. People who celebrate this holiday take a step back and organize what they require and don’t require, not only materially but also mentally and emotionally.
Many people cleanse their belongings, dumping things they don’t need anymore or clothes that no longer fit them. Donations and contributions are also made to various organizations.
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FAQs about National Simplicity Day
How do you celebrate National Simplicity Day?
This day is celebrated by getting some perspective and check listing everything that you own, then cleansing items that are no longer useful. Minimalism is very popular all around the world and learning the art of facilitating material or immaterial aspects of existence will improve our lives for the better.
What is the national day for July 12?
National Eat Your Jello Day, National Pecan Pie Day, National Different Colored Eyes Day, Orangemen’s Day, and National Simplicity Day are some national holidays observed on July 12.
What is minimalism?
Minimalism suggests owning fewer things and rather opting for a few quality items that will serve us more than multiple items that won’t last long. Around the world, minimalism is a lifestyle that is increasingly being embraced to address the problem of constantly increasing consumerism and resource-wasting.
Activities On National Simplicity Day
Reread Walden – Take Thoreau’s birthday to pick this book again. Thoreau decided to remove himself from society for 2 years to live as simply as achievable in the woods near Walden Pond, in a cabin and wrote his reflections on that period. Nowadays it is almost unrealistic to expect a person to give up on Television and takeout for that long, but one can at least live indirectly through him.
Disconnect from your devices – We know that it feels like it’s impossible to get through a day without constantly checking your work email, catching up on the latest HBO show, Snapchatting, and posting to Instagram, but try to challenge yourself to take a break from your smartphone and computer for a day. You will be surprised at how refreshing it can feel to not be continuously plugged into everything that is going on in everyone else’s life.
Declutter your home – Whether it is a four-bedroom house or a tiny apartment you probably sometimes feel like you have too much stuff squeezed into your home. Use this day as an excuse to take a long, hard look at all your various objects and determine what is actually necessary to you versus what is just taking up space. Take everything that is unnecessary for you and donate.
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5 Interesting Facts about Minimalism
1) It reduces excessive waste – Every year, $1.2 trillion a year is spent on purchasing non-essential items in the United States alone.
2) Shop til you drop – In a lifetime, the average female spends around $125,000 on fashion accessories and clothing — embracing a minimalist lifestyle prevents this.
3) Silence is golden – You begin appreciating solitude and silence with a minimalist lifestyle – there is no pressure or guilt to live a high-maintenance lifestyle though.
4) Do I really need that? – Minimalism makes one admit just how useless most items are in the long term – your obsession to collect and have more starts to weaken, and you become more aware of your acquisitions.
5) A healthier lifestyle -When you are a minimalist, it allows you to pay attention and listen to what your body is telling you about what is really necessary, and make the essential changes for a healthier lifestyle.
Why We Love National Simplicity Day
It is an excuse to unwind – Our lives are always planned out between jobs, school, childcare, workouts, etc. and we often forget how hard it can be to always be moving from one thing to the next. Simplicity Day gives us an opportunity to put all of those components of our lives on pause, mentally, and focus on the significance of the simple things.
It celebrates getting out into nature – A big part of living simply, for Thoreau, was getting away from the distractions of everyday life by spending time in nature. That could be on a beach, by a lake, or in the woods. Spending time in nature is one of those special, simple pleasures.
It is an ancient idea – Despite the fact that Simplicity Day is celebrated in honor of Thoreau, the principles behind it go back way further than the 19th century and span across many different cultures. From the monks of both eastern and western traditions to the founders of the yoga practice, many groups of people through the ages have united around philosophies that highlighted simplifying your life in both material and mental ways.
