Simplicity in everyday life
Simplicity is one of the most important values that I live by.
I try to manifest it in my everyday life in various ways. I try to write simply and never overcomplicate my lectures. I try to offer simple, relatable examples to my students and other fellow humans. I avoid literatures that are written in a pretentious, overcomplicated language, as they are not written with care towards readers coming from different backgrounds, and I don't want to take part in engaging with spaces that are not kind and caring.
In my consumption practice, I try to buy simple, whole, vegetarian food (usually organic, local, seasonal) and cook from scratch. I cook only simple food.
I choose simple, neutral colours and organic cotton fabrics, so I can wash all my clothes together and care for them in uncomplicated ways.
I don't have anything in my home that is incredibly specialised (e.g., special kitchen equipment, special skincare, occasion wear), very expensive, or difficult to care for.
I wear the same outfit every day. Even when I teach, go for walks, have guests, attend formal meetings. At times, my fellow humans ask me what it feels like to wear casual clothes for more formal occasions. I believe that it's very easy to wear casual clothing when one, say, goes for a walk. Deciding to wear casual clothes when one does a presentation is a little bit more challenging, but this is where change manifests. Over time, it becomes easier and even starts interesting conversations with fellow humans. In the end of the day, what matters is how one is in the world, whether they are a kind, gentle, caring person.
In the picture above is everything I carry with me every day when I don't need my laptop. When I need my laptop, I would take a large cotton tote bag (that I also use for grocery shopping) or a backpack (when it rains). These days, I use a simple fruit bag as a handbag. In it, I have a cotton pouch that I use instead of a wallet. I decorated it with some thread/ribbon that came with some other product a while ago. I also have my keys that are tied together using a ribbon that also came with some product. I also have a tissue that I got from bakery or a small, independent ice cream shop here in Copenhagen. At times, I bring a larger, folded cotton bag too. When I go for a longer walk, I bring a reusable water bottle with me. I never bring anything with me that is a just in case item. I've been practising some form of an alternative lifestyle (simple living, slow living, zero waste etc.) for 15 years or so, and I've only faced a situation where I needed something I had at home only a handful of times. In those cases, I bought those items and then used them up. Such items usually included medicine and plasters. When my partner's child is with us, we usually bring some snacks (dried fruit in a glass jar), water, and sunscreen.