Simon Bacher Of Ling app On How Simplifying & Decluttering Your Life Can Make You Happier

An Interview With Drew Gerber

Set priorities: Identify the things that are most important to you and focus on them. This can help you simplify your life by eliminating unnecessary tasks and activities.

We live in a time of great excess. We have access to fast fashion, fast food, and fast everything. But studies show that all of our “stuff” is not making us any happier. How can we simplify and focus on what’s important? How can we let go of all the clutter and excess and find true happiness? In this interview series, we are talking to coaches, mental health experts, and authors who share insights, stories, and personal anecdotes about “How Simplifying and Decluttering Your Life Can Make Us Happier.” As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Simon Bacher.

Simon Bacher is the Co-Founder of the start-up Simya Solutions. They are the creators of the Ling App, a gamified language learning app with over 10 million downloads.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share your “backstory” with us? What was it that led you to your eventual career choice?

The most impactful decision for me and my wife, who is a cofounder of Ling, was quitting our high paying consultant jobs in Germany, and moving to Thailand to start our own business. At that time it was a difficult decision between a comfortable life in a stable career, or taking the plunge into the unknown full of challenges but also excitement.

In hindsight it was the perfect decision. What I learned from this is (as a left-brained, rational person) for the most important life decisions, while facts are still important, listen to your heart and gut as well. It’s bound to lead you in the right direction.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

Ling started as a means and desire to learn Thai. I’d met my wife Khwan, who is from Thailand, and I wanted to learn Thai to communicate with her friends and parents. At the time, we couldn’t find a good app to learn it, so we decided to make one ourselves!

When the app made some revenue, we decided to go all in. We quit our well-paying consulting jobs in Germany, and moved to Thailand. We’ve never looked back.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

We are working on a spectacular platform called “Ling Live” where you can learn any language with an online tutor. This can help learners learn 1–1 with tutors, Students can learn from educated teachers with years of teaching experience, Students can learn at their own pace and when it’s most convenient for their schedule, and Students are able to check a teacher’s ratings before booking a lesson and are encouraged to rate the teacher after each lesson.

Can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority on the topic of “How Simplifying and Decluttering Your Life Can Make You Happier”?

Simplifying and decluttering as a way to improve happiness and well-being. There is evidence to suggest that having too much clutter and too many possessions can be stressful and overwhelming, and that simplifying and decluttering can help to reduce stress and increase feelings of control and accomplishment. In addition, decluttering can also create a sense of physical and psychological space, which can allow for better rest, relaxation, and enjoyment of one’s surroundings. Being a business owner, it is essential to have a clean and decluttered home as it helps me to focus.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. We live in a time of excess. We have access to so much. But studies show that all of our “stuff” is not making us any happier. Can you articulate for our readers a few reasons why all of our possessions are not giving us happiness?

1. Our possessions can never truly satisfy us. They can provide temporary pleasure, but they will never fill the void that is within us.

2. Our possessions can often become a source of anxiety and stress. We worry about losing them or them being stolen.

3. Our possessions can take up our time and energy. We have to clean them, maintain them, and organize them. This takes away from time that we could be spending on more important things, like relationships or hobbies.

4. Our possessions can create jealousy and envy. Seeing someone else with something we want can make us unhappy.

5. Our possessions can give us a false sense of security. We may think that we need certain things in order to be happy, when in reality, they are just holding us back from true happiness.

On a broader societal level, how do you think this excessiveness may be harming our communities and society?

On a societal level, this excessiveness may be harming our communities and society by creating a culture of wastefulness and entitlement. It encourages people to overconsume and to expect more than they need. This can lead to environmental harms as well as social harms. For example, if everyone expects to have the latest iPhone, this can lead to e-waste as people dispose of their old phones. It can also lead to income inequality as people who can’t afford the latest gadgets are left behind. In addition, this entitlement mentality can make people entitled and narcissistic, which can damage relationships and community bonds.

The irony of struggling with happiness in modern times is glaring. In many places in the world today, we have more than ever before in history. Yet despite this, so many people are unhappy. Why is simplifying a solution? How would simplifying help people to access happiness?

There’s no question that the irony of struggling with happiness in modern times is glaring. So many people have access to more resources and opportunities than ever before, yet they’re still unhappy. Why is simplifying a solution? How would simplifying help people to access happiness? Simplifying can help people to access happiness because it allows them to focus on what’s truly important to them. When people are bogged down by excess stuff, they often feel overwhelmed and stressed out. But when they simplify their lives, they can focus on the things that matter most to them and that make them happy. So if you’re struggling with happiness, try simplifying your life. declutter your home, get rid of excess stuff, and focus on what’s truly important to you. You may be surprised at how much happier you become in the process.

Can you share some insights from your own experience? Where in your life have you transformed yourself from not having enough to finally experiencing enough? For example, many people feel they don’t have enough money. Yet, people define abundance differently, and often, those with the least money can feel the most abundant. Where in your health, wealth, or relationships have you transformed your life?

Khwan and I lived on a $ 400 budget for 2 people in Chiang Mai for about a year before our app got successful. The key was persistence and making yourself believe in success every day, we are now continuously growing our business and helping people learn something new every day!

People, places, and things shape our lives. For example, your friends generate conversations that influence you. Where you live impacts what you eat and how you spend your time. The “things” in your life, like phones, technology, or books impact your recreation. Can you tell us a little about how people, places, and things in your own life impact your experience of “experiencing enough?”

Our personal experiences definitely play a role in how we define and experience “enough.” For example, if we’ve grown up feeling deprived or constantly wanting more, we may have a difficult time feeling satisfied with what we have. On the other hand, if we’ve been fortunate enough to have our basic needs met and have had positive experiences with abundance, we’re more likely to feel that we have enough. Obviously, our individual circumstances also come into play. If we’re struggling to make ends meet or are dealing with difficult life circumstances, it can be hard to feel like we’re experiencing enough. But if we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, it’s often easier to see that despite our challenges, we’re actually doing okay. So yes, our personal experiences definitely influence how we experience “enough.” But it’s important to remember that everyone’s definition of “enough” is different. What matters is that we’re able to find satisfaction and contentment in our lives, whatever that looks like for us.

What advice would you give to younger people about “experiencing enough?”

It’s important for young people to remember that experiencing enough is a highly personal and subjective concept. What is enough for one person may be different for another. It’s important to take the time to figure out what truly matters to you and what you want to experience in life, and to try new things and take risks that help you grow and learn. It’s also important to be present in the moment and to appreciate and savor the experiences that you do have, rather than constantly feeling like you need to be doing more or experiencing more.

This is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience and research, can you share your “five ways we can simplify and declutter our lives to make us happier?”

Here are five ways that you can simplify and declutter your life to make you happier:

1. Get organized: Take the time to organize your space, whether it’s your home, your office, or your digital life. Having an organized space can help reduce stress and improve your overall sense of well-being.
2. Simplify your possessions: Take a look at the things you own and consider getting rid of anything that you no longer use or need. This can help free up space and make it easier to find the things you do need.
3. Set priorities: Identify the things that are most important to you and focus on them. This can help you simplify your life by eliminating unnecessary tasks and activities.
4. Learn to say no: It’s important to be able to set boundaries and prioritize your time. Saying no to things that don’t align with your priorities can help you declutter your schedule and focus on what’s most important to you.
5. Take breaks: Taking breaks from your daily routine can help you recharge and feel more refreshed. Find ways to relax and unwind, whether it’s through meditation, exercise, or spending time with loved ones.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 😊

As an expat in Thailand I see on a daily basis how language impacts our world. People who know the local language are so much more closely integrated in the culture, and connect to people on a deeper level.

Language is so important in connecting people, understanding different cultures and contributing to peace in the world. Imagine how different the world would be if everyone spent 10 minutes a day learning a new language in some way.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can find my work on ling-app.com or connect with me through LinkedIn

Thank you so much for these insights. This was so inspiring, and so important!

About The Interviewer: For 30 years, Drew Gerber has been inspiring those who want to change the world. Drew is the CEO of Wasabi Publicity, Inc., a full-service PR agency lauded by PR Week and Good Morning America. Wasabi Publicity, Inc. is a global marketing company that supports industry leaders, change agents, unconventional thinkers, companies and organizations that strive to make a difference. Whether it’s branding, traditional PR or social media marketing, every campaign is instilled with passion, creativity and brilliance to powerfully tell their clients’ story and amplify their intentions in the world. Schedule a free consultation at WasabiPublicity.com/Choosing-Publicity