National Simplicity Day 2020: Important date, History, Purpose and Quotes

National Simplicity Day 2020: National Simplicity Day is observed on July 12 every year to honour the life works of Henry David Thoreau, who advocates the life of simplicity. Get the information about the purpose of this day, details of Walden book, and quotes from this article.  

Niranjani Jesentha Kumari Prabagararaj

National Simplicity Day 2020

National Simplicity Day is celebrated on July 12 in the remembrance of Henry David Thoreau birth anniversary. He was an author, naturalist, historian, philosopher, tax resister, abolitionist, surveyor, and transcendentalist. He wrote 'Walden', a famous book that emphasized simple living in the natural environment. He encouraged people to live in a simple way by decluttering unnecessary things. This day is an opportunity to simplify ourselves by eliminating unwanted things in our lives.

Who is Henry Davis Thoreau?

Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817, in Concord, Massachusetts, US. He is an essayist, poet, naturalist, historian, philosopher. He also became known for his belief in Transcendentalism and civil disobedience and a devoted abolitionist. In the 1840s, Henry David Thoreau started writing poetry about nature, with poet Ralph Waldo Emerson as a mentor and friend. He began his famous two years stay at Walden Pond in 1845, which he wrote in his masterpiece, 'Walden.'

About the book - Walden 

Walden is the outcome of the two years, two months, and two days of Thoreau life who lived in semi-isolation near Concord, Massachusetts, by Walden Pond. On property owned by his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson, he built a small cabin. He grew his vegetables there, and acquired many natural experiences. At Walden Pond, it was his plan to live simply, and have time to reflect, walk in the woods, write, and connect with nature. He used these observations to explore the basic elements of identity and listed them in the Walden book. 

The resulting Walden is a series of essays, starting with 'Economy' in which he discussed his experiment and contained a detailed account of his cabin construction. In the following essay, 'Reading' in which he discusses the benefits of reading, Sounds that is the sounds and sights in one's own life and 'Solitude' a praised nature's friendliness. Additional essays included 'Visitors', 'Ponds', 'Village', 'Higher Laws', 'Winter Animals', 'Spring', etc.

Walden's book reveals diverse perspectives on life. Thoreau observed nature and appreciated it, and wrote his experiences into the book. Walden is one of the early attempts to put the Eastern ideals of mindfulness, detachment, simplicity, and living in the present moment before a Western audience. Thoreau always said to 'simplify' the things so that oneness weakness or poverty or solitude won't be a weakness or poverty or solitude anymore.

What is the purpose of National Simplicity Day? 

National Simplicity Day was born out of the need to be free from the world's complications, and allow ourselves to be simple. The basic things such as food, job and rest will fulfill our greatest needs. Everything that remains falls down. Living simply doesn't mean to live without anything, it means to live on what we need rather than what we want. When life gets simpler, the stress and pressure on acquiring things will automatically decrease, and so life becomes more meaningful and joyful. 

How to observe National Simplicity Day?

On this National Simplicity Day, take a break from hectic daily life and relax to enjoy little things in life. Read about Henry David Thoreau, his books, essays, and philosophy. Some of the tips for simplifying life, 

  • Identify the essential facts of life 

  • Put a ban for impulsive buying

  • Decluter the unnecessary things in life

  • Live away from modern technology and spend some time with nature 

  • Don't get too stressed about acquiring a job or things. Be happy and grateful for with what we have

  • Have clarity on what we need in life 

National Simplicity Day - Special Quotes

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.” - Henry David Thoreau

“My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions but in the fewness of my wants.” – J. Botherton

“Simplicity is the essence of happiness.” – Cedric Bledsoe

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault

“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

“The simplest things are often the truest.” – Richard Bach

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National Simplicity Day 2020- FAQ

1. Who is Henry Davis Thoreau?  

Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts, US. He is an essayist, poet, naturalist, historian, philosopher. He also became known for his belief in Transcendentalism and civil disobedience and a devoted abolitionist. 

 

2. What is the purpose of Walden by Henry David Thoreau?  

The main purpose of Thoreau 's living at Walden Pond was to eliminate himself from the fast paced way of life. At Walden Pond, it was his plan to live simply, and have time to reflect, walk in the woods, write, and connect with nature. 

 

3. How long did Thoreau live in Walden?  

Thoreau lived for two years, two months and two days in Concord , Massachusetts by Walden Pond. On property owned by his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson, he built a small cabin.

 

4. Why is simplicity important in life?  

The key advantage of simplicity is that it offers more suitable conditions for a life of reflection, meditation, all of which are essential to improve the ability to regulate our thoughts.