Simplicity

Many people I know are on a quest to simplify their lives. Their reasons vary.

I have been working on simplicity for a long time. Like exercising, simplifying takes a continuing effort, but I do get a touch of bliss when occasionally I win a small victory in the duel with complexity. After many years, my conclusion is that the single, best way to pursue simplicity is to lower one’s noun count.

A noun, you will recall, is a person, place, or thing. A noun is the object or subject of a verb. Nouns and verbs go together. We each take actions, described with verbs, on our nouns. The more nouns we live with, the more actions we must take—or are at least consider taking. The more actions we take or contemplate, the more complex our lives. “I’m so busy.” When we reduce our noun counts, we simplify our lives. There is no better way. Fewer nouns, more simplicity.

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