2. Preface

For me, a simple life is not something that can be obtained easily! It's more like the end result of a slow transformation, the idea growing stronger: a life of less dependence, but more freedom and relaxation. Of course it needs to be more delicate and elegant. Little by little I learned that the more I took off, the less I could live without. Ultimately, life requires very little. Therefore, I have established a strong and deep belief: the less you have, the more you will be free and bloom. But I also know that we need to be vigilant: consumerism, physical and mental inertia, and the trap of negative emotions are waiting for us to relax at the slightest moment.

This book is excerpted from the notes I took during the years I lived in Japan. It is the result of my experience, reading, communication and thinking. It expresses my ideals, beliefs, and my longings and efforts to practice Life goals and ways. I have always cherished and carried these notes with me, used them to guide myself, used them to remind myself of what I might have forgotten, or what I had not practiced, and also to strengthen my deep beliefs in a chaotic environment. .

In our age, we are becoming aware of the dangers of indulgence and abundance, and more and more women are looking to rediscover the joys and benefits of living a simpler, more natural life. Facing the increasingly strong temptation of consumer society, they seek the meaning of life while maintaining harmony with the times.

This book is for them.

I hope that through this book they can concretely understand the art of simplicity, the art of living as fulfilling a life as possible.

4. If a house is empty except for a few pieces of very nice and indispensable furniture, it can become a haven of tranquility. Love it, clean it, live in it with respect, and use your home to protect your most precious possession—you.

Only when you no longer worry about material things can your soul bloom.

The body protects the spirit, just like the house protects the body; our spirit should be liberated in order to develop.

Every object we own should make us think:

We need nothing but it, and its function makes it so precious; without this We can no longer "turn" items.

A home should be a place of rest, inspiration and healing. The city we live in is crowded with people, and their voices are noisy, bizarre, and dazzling, impacting us and hurting us. Home gives us energy, life, peace and joy. It is shelter both materially and psychologically, physically and spiritually.

5. Bauhaus architecture, Shaker art and Japanese living rooms have the same thing: efficiency, flexibility and the concept of "less is more".

6. As for color, choose black and white. The five colors make people blind. Black, white and gray are neither any color nor a fusion of all colors. They bring a minimalist style and it seems like all the clutter has been evaporated.

7. A perfect corner, a good book and a cup of tea can bring the ultimate feeling of satisfaction.

Living on very little material can be an ideal state; but to do so you must be immersed in a state of mind: choosing emptiness over abundance, silence over noise, classics and enduring elements rather than popular elements.

....

A house can be little larger than a suitcase, containing only the essentials, rather than being filled with things that will one day be used. An unchanging room with "something" in it.

8. Try an experiment, even if it’s just for a week: Keep all your odds and ends out of sight. Nothingness may be a revelation to you.

9. Everything a person owns should fit into one or two luggage bags: a carefully curated set of clothing, a handbag, a favorite photo album, two or three personal items. Everything else, that is to say everything that can be found in a house (beds, dishes, television, furniture) cannot be considered as belonging to us.

11. Only keep what you like, everything else is meaningless. Don’t let tacky and outdated stuff take over your space. Have very little, but have the best. Don’t settle for just a nice sofa, buy the most beautiful, softest, most “ergonomic” and most comfortable sofa.

Ditch “almost” without hesitation and replace it with something perfect. Even if doing so will make many people think you are lavish. Minimalism doesn't come cheap, but for the price, you can achieve self-sufficiency and rigorous minimalism. It’s by making the wrong choices that we discover what’s best for us. Mistakes are our teachers!

12. Simplicity is the perfect combination of beauty and convenience. There can be nothing superfluous.

13. Try to feel more intuitive beauty rather than "fantasy" beauty (signed plates, designer underwear, etc.), only use items that meet necessary needs, and use those items that have beauty, but Items not made for beauty.

14. Use more "basic" items.

To free your imagination, choose items made from traditional craftsmanship, created by craftsmen using skills, experience and wisdom passed down from generation to generation. Don’t choose the creations of individual artists who are chasing fame and fortune.

15. When people buy, they are always buying a part of themselves.

16. If you can’t afford the sofa you’ve longed for, save money every minute until you can afford it. But don't buy a temporary replacement. Because you may get used to living a life that matches your wallet!

It is better to have good wishes than to settle for a mediocre reality.

17. The Japanese concept of otakusabi was created in the 14th century and represents the ideal and pure form of sterility.

18. In addition to meditation, monks also do housework, cleaning and gardening. He took care of everything around him with respect, knowing that his life depended on the world. For him, the broom is a sacred thing. When he picks up the broom, the first thing he cleans is his own soul.

Zen teachings believe that housework makes people pure. In a spotless place, putting things back in their place, tidying up the room, and locking the door is like clearing away the dirt of the world. Sasao Tingchu distills the essence of man and nature.

Cleaning a small and insignificant item can bring instant comfort. There's a god hidden under your pans, so polish them until they're sparkling like new. All kinds of daily labor are part of life activities. Be your best every day and every season.

19. The following three maxims may help you:

20. Obtain the necessities of life at any cost: Financial security can ensure your independence and dignity.

21. The strange thing is that it is the person who gives up himself who retains everything he wants. Because he gave up everything he didn’t clearly desire. He who has very little is not poor, but he who desires too much is poor. He who is content with poverty is rich.

Optimism stems from abstinence: any wealth will be of no benefit to the owner if he is not prepared in advance to lose it.

Imagine that you only have a room, a bed, a desk, a computer, an organized kitchenette, and a few clothes. Without jewelry, books, and knick-knacks.... would you be in hell or heaven?

Train yourself to adapt to poverty. Treat abstinence as a regular training. You should always live an abstinent life. It will bring new forms to your life and help you learn to be detached enough from the wealth around you. We should always deprive ourselves of luxuries so that we will not feel unhappy if fate one day leaves us with nothing. You should live a happy and simple life through self-training.

22. The wandering tribes in the desert only have what they need, and all they need are the necessities of life rather than wealth.

23. Simplicity is a kind of balance, knowing how to appreciate the material world, enjoying happiness efficiently, and using money, time and things you have wisely.

A happy life is not a "poor" life, nor is it endless moderation. To achieve a good living condition is to have a positive attitude towards frugality and not to measure happiness with material things. We have a lot of riches that are yet to be discovered.