Domonique Bertolucci - Less is More: 101 Ways to Simplify Your Life

Contents

For Sophia and Tobias

Less is more
except when it comes to love,
and then more is more is more.

Enjoy the little things,
for one day you may look back
and realise they were the big things.

ROBERT BRAULT

Trying to do it all, be it all and have it all is exhausting. All too often people find themselves asking, What was it all for? The sad conclusion for so many is that the things they pushed themselves to do and have were rarely that important and never led to the happy and fulfilling life they longed for.

About ten years ago, something fundamentally shifted in the way I viewed my life. I began my evolution from someone who loved to hit the shops every Saturday and needed three wardrobes to fit all her clothes to someone who still loves beautiful things, but doesnt need many of them to keep her satisfied.

It all started when I ended my career in banking, where massive paycheques and endless spending are a way of life, and moved back to Australia to begin my married life and start my own business.

My husband and I had only been in Sydney for a couple of days when we found our dream apartment. It was in a gorgeous Art Deco building with sweeping views of the city, Harbour Bridge and Opera House. I fell in love with it immediately and (lucky for me, given my newly married status) so did my husband. The only catch was that this apartment was tiny. Although the views gave it a sense of vastness, the rooms were minuscule and there was no storage to speak of. Undeterred, we knew we had to have it, so off to the auction we went, and a couple of nerve-racking hours later the dream home was ours.

Not long after we moved in, our 40 or so packing boxes arrived from England and it became very obvious, very quickly, that a massive clutter-clearing was in order. Once we finally had our home organised, I could see I needed to think much more carefully about what I bought: did I really need it, and where was I going to put it?

This new way of life took a bit of getting used to but my transformation was complete when I read an article about French women and their approach to their wardrobes. The French have long had a reputation for being advocates of less is more, whether in their stylish appearance, the restrained elegance of their homes or the small portions of indulgences on their plates.

This article began by talking about the 8020 rule or Pareto principle, and how most of us wear 20 per cent of our clothing 80 per cent of the time, whereas a French woman aims to only own that 20 per cent. This isnt about austerity: she may only own one scarf, but its probably an Herms one; one handbag but its in the most buttery-soft leather; one pair of black trousers, but with the perfect cut and most flattering fit.

I loved the simplicity of this approach and set about streamlining my life even further, applying this philosophy not only to my wardrobe but to my whole way of living. Is this essential?, Is it the best it can be? and Does it really matter? have become questions I continually ask about everything I think or do.

Ive been living this way for years now and have long given up trying to do it all, be it all or have it all.

If there is one thing I know for certain, when it comes to being happy, less is definitely more.

If you would like to apply this philosophy to your life, visit domoniquebertolucci.com and download the Less is More Manifesto, as well as a series of free guides and checklists to help you simplify your life.

Your time is limited
so dont waste it by trying to live
someone elses life.

STEVE JOBS

When faced with a choice or decision in life, ask yourself, What will make me happiest?

While there will always be more you can do or achieve, being happy with who you are and the life you live is the only real goal to strive for.

Take care of your body.
Its the only place you have to live.

JIM ROHN

When you feel the urge to overindulge, be that with food, alcohol or simply overdoing the good times, stop and remind yourself that the pleasure will be short-lived but the payback will last much longer.

The key to a long and healthy life is knowing when to stop and then doing it.

Start wherever you are
and start small.

RITA BAILEY

If you have a big goal or something substantial you want to achieve, dont let the size of your task overwhelm you.

Break it down into small, achievable chunks, then give all your attention and energy to the single task before you.

Simplicity is the keynote
of all true elegance.

COCO CHANEL

If your wardrobe is overflowing but you never have anything to wear, its time for a spring clean. Sell, donate or give away everything that doesnt fit you or flatter you. Be ruthless. If youre not sure if it suits you, it probably doesnt.

Maintain a wardrobe of a few high-quality items that make you look and feel amazing. Youll save time in the morning and you wont mind wearing the same thing regularly when you are guaranteed to look and feel good.

You dont need endless time
and perfect conditions.
Do it now. Do it today.
Do it for twenty minutes
and watch your heart start beating.

BARBARA SHER

Dont let feeling unfit put you off getting started on a health and fitness regime. Instead of setting yourself a big goal that is way out of reach and then giving up at the first hurdle, make the commitment to do something, anything, that moves your body every single day.

If you keep active, your fitness will steadily increase and before long those bigger goals wont feel so far off.

Those who have no time
for healthy eating
will sooner or later
have to find time for illness.

EDWARD STANLEY

Your body really is an amazing machine, so be mindful of what you fuel it with.

Read the labels of all the food you buy and dont eat anything that contains ingredients you dont recognise or couldnt keep in your pantry. Your body will thank you for it.

Balanced relationships
are always based in freedom,
not obligation.

MICHAEL THOMAS SUNNARBORG

The frequency with which you see your friends is no indicator of the quality of your friendships. So often the people you see the most can be the people whose company you care for the least.

No matter how long it has been, when you are with your true friends, time will fly; you will pick up where you left off and it will always feel like you just spoke yesterday.

Have nothing in your houses
that you do not know to be useful
or believe to be beautiful.

WILLIAM MORRIS