The promise of technology has always been that it would simplify our lives. Tasks would be easier and faster to complete, we would be more organized, time would be saved.

But as I look at the world around me and observe people it strikes me that in many ways just the opposite is happening. The technology makes it possible for us to do more, to be sure. But it also means that more is expected of us.

Too, technology creates its own demands on our time and resources. We must work to pay for that technology, take the time to learn how to use it and to keep it updated. The ubiquitous cellphone makes us available always and to everyone and that means that the intrusions on our time have only increased.

We have lost control of our lives.

As all of this complexity has increased, so too have the number of books and websites that seek to help us simplify our lives. Many people have begun to realize that far from relieving our stress, technology has increased it and they are now taking steps to take back control of their lives.

Perhaps you are among those who have realized this. If so, I’m sure you’ve read lots of blogs and lots of books on how to simplify your life. So have I.

The thing I’ve noted about most of them, though, is that many of the suggestions they make add their own level of complexity with rules and guidelines and hints on ways to manage your life more effectively, to get things done more efficiently and so forth. But shouldn’t simplifying your life be, well, simple?

It seems to me that you shouldn’t need a “system” in order to simplify. Can’t you just get rid of the crap that’s cluttering your house? Throw out what isn’t needed? Get rid of the crap that clutters your life simply by looking at it and deciding what makes you happy and what doesn’t and getting rid of the latter?

And you certainly shouldn’t need technology to simplify your life. I have to laugh as I read some of the comments on some of these websites. Reading a blog that described the “hipster PDA” (a few index cards clipped together to form an erstwhile information storage system)several comments berated the author for promoting such an item. Use a PDA, they shout. But why? Why pay $150 or more for an electronic device that can run out of power when a few note cards can do the same thing, for mere pennies and will always work when you need it?

Simplifying your life means different things to different people, to be sure. So, for some the systems and the technology might work. I’ve come away from those I’ve looked at with the sense that they required more effort than was warranted.

I think I’ll just stick to throwing out the crap I don’t need and a few note cards to keep track of ideas and obligations.