In the United States, this Saturday, the 16^th of July recognizes ‘Toss Away the Could Haves and Should Haves’ Day.  In addition, this past Tuesday, July 12^th honored ‘National Simplicity’ Day. We’re going to be focusing on the two ideas together in this week’s newsletter. Read on to learn more about the origin and meaning behind these designated days, and how honoring them might provide you with some personal benefit.

If you are anything like us, the thought of a designated day for things sometimes feels arbitrary or like more of a marketing ploy than anything. But on the other hand, having a day designated where we slow down and think through some things can actually be pretty helpful. ‘Toss Away the Could Haves and Should Haves’ Day was founded by author and motivational speaker Martha J. Ross-Rodgers. Celebrated annually on the 3^rd Saturday in July, this day is intended for everyone to let go of the past and live for the present. In short, a day to remind ourselves to try to live with no regrets.

‘National Simplicity Day’ (July 12) honors Henry David Thoreau who lived, you guessed it, a simple life. Living in a world where our biology cannot keep up with today’s technology, this day encourages us to pause and try to eliminate any unnecessary burdens that are weighing us down. Living a simple life doesn’t mean living without, but rather living only with what you need and getting rid of the excess.

These two days really center around some of the same main ideas: paring down, clearing out the unnecessary habits of thinking or behaviors that are not serving us, and moving forward with greater clarity, efficiency, and even a sense of lightness. So now you might be wondering where to start!

The first step to participating in ‘Toss Away the Could Haves and Should Haves’ Day is to find a pen and paper. Then write down your “could haves” and “should haves” on the paper. Could haves and should have phrases take many forms. “What if I…” or “If only…” type thoughts keep us from moving forward. Once you are doing writing, throw away the list.

Once you have thrown your “could haves” and “should haves” in the trash, make the following resolution: “From this day forward, I choose not to live in the past. The past is history that I cannot change. I can do something about the present; I choose to live in the present.” This day focuses on eliminating the thoughts that cause us to choose the past over the future. Sometimes it’s a matter of making different choices now that matters most.

Ironically, by throwing away some unhelpful thoughts you are actually simultaneously celebrating ‘National Simplicity’ Day. Living a simpler life includes identifying not only thoughts but also objects and activities that waste time or hold you up from living in line with your values. To honor this day, we have two suggestions: (1) Go find a bag that you can fill with items that you are going to donate or throw away. If you are inspired after the one bag, keep going! And (2) Decrease your digital connection (e.g., move your phone out of reach; decide not to listen to anything as you commute or exercise). This can be for an hour, a few days, a week, or more. Living in this way can help decrease stress, which has a huge impact on not only our minds, but also our bodies. As we move forward in this month of July, let’s all unplug and detach from what’s not serving us, and take the best of each and every day!

“It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.”

– Henry Ward Beecher