#857: How to Simplify Your Life in 2026 — New Tips from Maria Popova, Morgan Housel, Cal Newport, Craig Mod, and Debbie Millman

The podcast episode explores strategies for simplifying life, posing the question: "What are one to three decisions that could dramatically simplify my life in 2026?" Five guests share their approaches to simplification. Maria Popova prioritizes spending time only with people whose company she cherishes and eliminates apologies for managing her time, arguing that apologizing for one's time is apologizing for one's life. Morgan Housel advocates for simple investment strategies using Vanguard index funds and reading history over forecasts to better understand recurring psychological trends. Cal Newport defaults to saying "no" to most opportunities to avoid overcommitment and unifies his academic and writing careers by focusing on the impact of technology. Craig Mod cut out alcohol, commits to therapy for mental clarity, and focuses on the craft of writing. Debbie Millman turned down a CEO position to pursue a life with more writing, teaching, and creative projects.