Living an illumined life means you aren’t recreating every day with every decision, rather you’ve found what works best and you create variations on that theme. In other words, you spend most of your time simply being amazing.
In this quote: Wake up, Kick Ass, Be Kind, Repeat, the last line, REPEAT, happens when we have simplified and made our lives a little more efficient. ILLUMINE shares a few resources on how, practically, this can be done, while staying stylish and showing up powerfully. Click on the resources below for ideas to make the good stuff happen more often and with greater intensity.
(*All of these resources are unsolicited recommendations used and curated by Lourdes Paredes)
For everyone
A good place to start: Sometimes we don’t know where to start. Simplifying is something we need to live into and not just get rid of everything all at once. Here is a good list to begin considering what things can go and/or minimize.
Even following your passion needs some focus: like Simon Sinik’s Start with Why this article helps to focus you on what and why you do what you do. Rather than focus on selling what you do or branding who you are, try first to clarify for yourself what drives you. Then, notice when making choices how this helps you to prioritize your time and energy more effectively.
Let the experts do their thing: Minimizing time spent on decisions on a day-to-day, like what to wear, will help you to spend more time living your life. Trunk Club now offers services for men and women by trained stylists who listen for lifestyle, budget and what would make you look great with ease. You’ll receive a “trunk” at home and keep only what you love, or go into the showroom to try on with the stylist to give you objective feedback. Seek out other services that help to curate your choices and decrease time spend on deciding. Spend that time on living.
Making dinner just got a whole lot easier with Blue Apron, and you’ll save money too: While there are many prepared-meal delivery services, Blue Apron has ILLUMINE’s stamp of approval. 3 out of 4 of our editorial team (they don’t deliver to the fourth person’s city) use and love this service. Once a week (you can choose your frequency) the ingredients for three meals arrive measured and identified, ready to make dinner fun and super delicious! It’s like having a little elf shop for me (and I love grocery shopping but spend way to much time and money going several times a week for just a few items and end up buying the eye candy items tempting me left and right). The visually-aided recipe cards makes it easy to feel like a bona-fide chef! There are even ideas on plating.
A new mindset: Letting go is never easy and if you are going from clutter and chaos towards your vision of simplicity and efficiency, it may require changing your mindset. Check out this blog, New Minimalism, for ideas and guidance for changing your thinking on making less more. So far, my favorite blog post is Let Go of ‘Just in case’.
Mix it up and schedule in your fitness activity/ies: I’m not sure who wins bigger with Class Pass! It’s very likely a win/win/win situation for consumer, studio, and Class Pass. There are so many options within many cities around the world for working out at boutique gyms and even some open workout times at larger gyms. No need to manage class packages at several studios, and no excuse for trying something new and mixing up how you stay physically and mentally fit, strong, and ready for anything.
Especially for women
How the French women always look so good: Less is truly more, and this guide to essentials provides a good template for creating a capsule wardrobe. Use it as an example of choosing what will work for you.
Create a system that works for you: While we are not promoting this particular designer, it is a great example of buying a few items that mix and match within your style. A first step might be working with a stylist to figure out your authentic style (check out Fredda’s article on this topic). Sometimes we buy and attempt to wear what looks good on other people, but in some cases, not so good on us. Work with a stylist, or maybe just a friend with style, to find what looks best on you. Then find a line/designer/store that sells that look, and start with the basics.
Especially for men:
Capsule Wallet: To avoid any chance of extra bulk in a wallet, I’ve seen men use a binder clip to hold their money and essentials. This Capsule Wallet is a brilliant minimalist wallet approved by ILLUMINE’s creative director/designer, Jason Campbell, developed by entrepreneur, Robert Sha.
Do you have any tips for being simply amazing? Please comment below or email ILLUMINE: lourdes@illuminechicago.com.
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