simplify your life

Have a relaxing Sunday everyone! :)

(Source: blackandtypeprints)

CREATIVITY IS SUBTRACTION

I love taking my sweet time browsing books at the Kinokuniya bookstore. One of the books I found was Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon. Here’s are the 10 things in summary:

In the last chapter, he talks about the important role simplicity plays when it comes to creativity.

In the end, creativity isn’t just the things we choose to put in, it’s the things we choose to leave out. Choose wisely.

It was a short read that got my creative juices flowing. I recommend you also check out Austin’s speech that started this book and his TEDx Talk.

(Source: store.austinkleon.com)

‘Creativity is subtraction’ by Austin Kleon

(Source: store.austinkleon.com)

INSANELY SIMPLE

When we talk of simplicity, we often think of it’s application to our personal lives. However, simplicity must also be applied to a business all the time to be able to serve it’s customers with laser like intensity.

Clarity propels an organization. Not occasional clarity but pervasive, twenty-four-hour, in-your-face, take-no-prisoners clarity.

However, being a creative director (who worked closely with Steve Jobs and being the guy responsible for the little “i” that’s a part of Apple’s products), Ken’s book couldn’t help but lean towards benefiting marketers, advertisers and the like. But despite that, you can still apply his lessons on simplicity to your business or even your personal life. 

Simplicity is not the goal -it’s the guiding light that can help a business achieve its goals.

I totally agree with him that simplicity is a great tool for both our personal and professional lives. My verdict? Good read for those in the creative business. Want to learn more? Here’s his blog ‘Observatory’ and an interview with Ken.

BACK FROM JAPAN

The Japanese people have always inspired me to live a simple life. Everywhere you can see an effort to balance things. They have an eye towards the future and are technologically advanced. Yet, they have great respect for their past and their environment.

One of my favorite places which exemplifies this is the Meiji Shrine. Tucked in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Harajuku is this relaxing 175 acre evergreen forest. And in the middle of more than 120,000 healthy trees is this tranquil shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji.

Emperor Meiji devoted himself to the modernization of the country, sharing the joys and sorrows of the people, and living a simple and frugal life.

Traveling has always allowed me to rest and reflect. And being in places like this inspires me to further use simplicity as a tool to achieve balance and success in life. I look forward to visiting the land of the rising sun again. I suggest you visit places like Japan too.

Simplifying,

Danny

SIMPLIFY YOUR JAPAN TRIP

RIght now I’m on vacation in Tokyo with my family. Last year we were in Osaka. They say it’s expensive here in Japan and that makes people think twice before visiting. Here are three tips that will save you a lot of money here:

1. Buy plane tickets and hotel rooms on sale. It just takes a little planning ahead of time and surfing time on the net. Also look into business hotels if you like. Less fancy but has all the basics.

2. Buy food from their grocery. Or better yet buy and pack dry goods from your country (which we also did). Our breakfast and in between snacks definitely came from the grocery. Cereals, milk, noodles, water, biscuits and juices top the list.

3. Walk and learn to use the subway. There’s a great app called trains.jp which is so helpful. Plot your travel path in advance. And buy a PASMO for tourists. Walking around really places you in their shoes.

So start simplifying and saving to build up your travel fund. Stop spending for eating out all the time, spending for entertainment like movies, magazines & books and unnecessary shopping. 

Keep in mind, whatever country you have in mind, yes, you can go there…if you really want to.

Simplifying,

Danny

Hahaha! But seriously…don’t stress yourself out too much! :)

(Source: loldamn.com)

Thank you BNN for the recommendation! To those who found me through this link, thank you also for following and welcome! Feel free to ask or contribute anything related to simplifying and minimalism. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! :)  -Danny

buynothingnewforayear:

Post Buy Nothing New Year I am on a mission to minimize and organize. Keeping only that which is essential is my current M.O.  

When I started my BNN Year I became a bit of a hoarder, not a TLC worthy hoarder, but I began keeping things just in case I might need them later in the year. Now that my year is up and I have permission to buy whatever I want, I am realizing how much stuff/junk I have that I don’t need that is just taking up my precious space. One of the greatest things I learned from my year of consuming less, is how little I actually need. Having more stuff means more work; more to clean, more to maintain, more to fix, more to organize. I am on a mission to live more simply with less. I love following this blog for inspiration: Simplify Your Life

Stuff I don’t need that is still in good condition will either be given to people I know that might want it or dropped off at Goodwill. The rest will be headed to the trash or recycling. 

So far, minimizing has been a lot of work, but with each unnecessary thing I get rid of, I feel a little more liberated. 

LESS CAMERA, MORE FUN

Last year, the heavy weight of my DSLR (plus equipment) was my primary reason for wanting to let go of my camera. I was further convinced to go light after reading Learning to Carry Less by Mountain Light. Finally, I decided to simplify my camera gear by selling it all.

I took my time to search for a replacement and, after narrowing down my choices, I placed the Canon S100 on my 30 Day List (a minimalists tool). Just recently, I bought it and it’s been traveling with me ever since. I have no complaints. It functions like my old DSLR but without the weight.

With technology advancing, and cameras just getting better, smaller and lighter we can now ask ourselves, “Why do I have an expensive camera?”  Do I really need this heavy and bulky DSLR? What camera fits my needs? What am I really going to use it for?” 

As for me, at the end of the day, I just want to capture the beautiful once-in-a-lifetime moments in my life. And with a minimalist and quality camera by my side, I don’t have to worry about missing a magical moment again! :)

Simplifying,

Danny