手機版
As minimalists, we often talk about paring down possessions, and sometimes paring down what we do. But what about what we think?
作為極簡主義者，我們常常說削減占有的東西，有時要削減我們所做的事情。但對于思考，我們該怎么辦？
Is there any use in paring down thinking? I’ve found myself doing this over time, in many areas.
為思考做減法有用嗎？我自己已在很多領域親身實踐多次。
My ideas about exercise have been simplified over the years. I used to worry about the ideal mileage, percentage of increase in mileage, intervals, reps and sets, weights and progression, lifts, workouts, programs … it was very complicated. But as I’ve learned more about fitness, I’ve dropped most of those ideas. I now know that none of that matters much, as I’ve let go of specific fitness goals. Now I just try to move on most days, and have fun doing it. I’ve dropped ideas about schedules, about programs, about loads and goals. I’m left with the simplest of ideas.
這些年來，我對于鍛煉的看法越來越簡化。我以前總擔心理想的公里數、逐步增加公里數的比例、休息、幾次幾組、重量和增重過程、鍛煉肌肉、各種日程安排。著實復雜得緊。但隨著我對健身的理解加深，我放棄了以上大部分的想法。如今，我知道這些想法都不重要，我也不必要盯著具體的健身目標不放，而是試著在大多數時間里堅持下去，并且樂在其中。我放棄了定日程、計劃，給自己定目標、加擔子的想法。我的思考進入最簡單的程度。
Same applies to diet. I used to worry about not eating grains, or soy, or processed foods, or fruits, or chemicals. Should I eat quinoa or steel-cut oats or amaranth or chia seeds or bulgur wheat or buckwheat? I used to count calories. Now I just try to eat real plant foods most of the time, and am mindful of my eating. It’s simpler this way.
對于飲食調配同理。我過去總擔心沒吃谷物、大豆、處理過的食品、水果或營養藥，我是否該吃些藜麥、粗切燕麥、莧菜、奇雅子、硬小麥或蕎麥？我過去還查卡路里數。如今我堅持大部分時間都只吃真正的植物性食物，對我所吃的了若指掌，這樣更簡單。
About writing: I worried about structure and voice and style and terseness and grammar and schedules and tools and reading the best authors and the snowflake method and editing and much more. Now I just write when I’m inspired, and I let it flow.
關于寫作：我過去擔心文章的結構、語態、格式、簡潔度、語法、進展、工具、讀最好作家的作品、雪花式寫法、編輯問題，甚或更多。現在我只在有靈感的時候寫，讓思緒自由流動。
About work: I worried about productivity and goals and action items and meetings and paperwork and the Pareto principle and the perfect desk and the perfect computer setup. Now I use simple tools, and do what I’m excited about.
關于工作：我過去擔心工作成果、目標、行動、回憶、書面材料、帕累托法則、完美的辦公桌、完美的電腦設定。現在我用簡單的工具，做我覺得激動人心的事情。
The same is true of anything I’ve done. About finances, I just spend less than I earn, and have my bills paid automatically. About my site, I just write and publish and forget about comments and ads and stats and social networking. About my social life, I just meet with a friend and try to be present. I could go on all day, but you get the point.
對我做的其他事情同理。關于理財，我花的少于賺的，自動還掉賬單。關于我的網站，我只寫并發布，忽略評論、廣告、數據和社交網絡。關于我的社交生活，我一次只見一個朋友，力求在當下。以此類推，我可以這樣說一天，但你知道我的意思了。
When we start out with something, we usually will try everything. But as we learn, we can pare down ideas that we find out don’t matter. We’re left with the essentials.
當開始做一件事時，我們通常會嘗試所有事。但當我們逐步體會時，我們能分清主次，摒棄不重要的思考，只留下那些必須的部分。
