Clear Your Damn Plate

Clear Your Damn Plate I dont own much, but I have a lot to live for. And so do youâ€"but you know this already. Paring down my possessions over the past few years has afforded me more time, more freedomâ€"and less stress. That’s why I’m trying a new experiment next month: I’m going to clear my damn plate (a phrase my mother deployed with vigor) and focus on one thing at a timeâ€"I will place only one thing on my empty plate at a time. There is no physical clutter in my life, but I still get stressed at timesâ€"by self-imposed deadlines, by other people’s expectations, by my own standards of supposed accomplishment, by constant interruptions. But I am in control, just as you areâ€"we must remember that. This is my life, I am in charge, and I have the freedom to do what I want. So next month I’ll clear my plate, and I’ll do only one thing at a timeâ€"all the time. I won’t take my computer with me when I want to read a book, exercise, or visit a friend. I won’t check my phone when I’m eating a meal with someone. I won’t browse email while brushing my teeth. I’ll be in the moment: If I’m on Twitter, I’ll give my full attention to Twitter. If I’m reading a book, I’ll read a book. If I’m writing, I’ll write. If I’m interacting with friends, I’ll interact with friends. I’ll stay focused on the current activity, and I’ll allow no interruptions. I will live my life one moment at a time. The moments of our lives merit our full attention: let’s give our lives the consideration they deserve, and let’s start living more meaningful livesâ€"lives we love. Care to join me? Want to clear your damn plate for a month? If you find value in The Minimalists, consider donating a dollar.