Archive for Simplicity
Internal Changes
Posted by: | CommentsWhen I coach or teach people, the ones that make the most progress are the ones that bring the lessons deep inside. Simplifying or any other change works better if the changes are internal as well as external.
Photo by Jeff Dargis
You can do all the time tricks in the book, but if you are still rushing to please some inner critic or because you feel you aren’t good enough you may not slow down. You need to figure out the internals. Notice what is happening.
You can work on decluttering, but if you haven’t dealt with the belief that ‘more is better’ it’s going to be a tough battle.
If you simplify your life without figuring out your values, you may be living a simplified, but boring life. One that is not for you.
Paying off your debt is great, but until you know why you got in debt in the first place you may be in the same place in a couple of years.
If you don’t practice saying no because you are afraid people won’t like you, you will always have too much to do.
Which part of simplifying gives you the most trouble? What underlying beliefs can you question?
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After writing this, I ran across this video from Brene Brown on Listening to Shame. Very helpful in seeing what might be underneath your shell.
Letting the Necessary Speak
Posted by: | Comments"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." ~Hans Hofmann, Introduction to the Bootstrap
In your life do you know what is necessary and what is unnecessary? Do you need all the things you think you need? Do you need to do all the things you think you need to do?
If you stripped down your life to 5 necessities what would they be? And how do you want them to speak?
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Photo by Mykl Roventine
Freedom of a Simpler Life
Posted by: | CommentsAn overwhelmed life can feel like a one way street – cramped, no way out, frustrating, shut in.
Simple living gives you freedom. Without being weighed down by debt you have the freedom to take more opportunities. With margin in your day you are free to choose to eat lunch with a friend that calls you out of the blue. With less stuff you have the freedom to do more fun activities and less maintenance.
A person living a simpler life knows they have the freedom in what they choose to do. They don’t yield to the over busy pressure of society, friends or family. They know how to say no to what is not their purpose and say yes to what calls to them.
Without the overwhelming pressure to do, do, do you can become what you were meant to be, taking flight and expressing yourself fully. You see things from a higher view, rather than day to day minutia.
When you slow down, you connect with what you need. You can nurture and renew yourself so you are ready for whatever is next.
You have the freedom to be totally present without the worry of what you aren’t doing. You can be fully engaged in your life – exploring each moment.
What in your life is stifling and overwhelming you? What is one action you can take to gain more freedom in that area?
(renegotiating a deadline, returning those clothes and paying down debt instead, taking a quiet time first thing in the morning, splitting responsibility with someone)
