Simplicity

Every year I try to pick a word or idea that I can focus on for the year.  At the end of the year I reevaluate and see how that word/idea played out in my life.  Do you do something like this?  If not, I encourage you to do the same.  Sometimes setting intentions for the year or even the day can give your whole day or year new meaning and focus. 

I am looking forward to this year because of some exciting changes in my career and life.  I have chosen the word Simplify for my focus this year.  I see this year not as what kinds of things do I need to add to my life, a list of do’s, but more so a list of things that I can take out in order to simplify.  Simplify… I look forward to spending less time in the car, less time hurrying around, less time on my phone and more time focusing on what is important.  Which areas of your life do you need to simplify?  

Last month my family and I had the privilege of travelling to Italy for a couple weeks at Christmas from Seattle. Each of us packed only a small rolling suitcase with just enough room to bring back a few souvenirs to remember our time together.  Having very little options was a great reminder that we really don’t require much to live a pretty comfortable life.  I will always treasure that time because we bought just a couple of things to decorate our apartment for Christmas, shopped at the local farmers market for dinners and mostly walked from place to place or took advantage of local transportation.  This was a breath of fresh air compared to our busy lives at home, driving through traffic in the city to get to places we need to go, social events, sporting events, weekly grocery shopping trips, errands, appointments…you name it!  Taking a step back from even the hustle and bustle of the holidays to enjoy the simplicity of the season and having time together was priceless.  

Simplify.  Focus on what you do have instead of what you could have.  Which relationships do you have that are life giving?  Which ones do you spend a lot of time on but are very one-sided?  Which things in your space can you get rid of to decrease the clutter both in your environment and your mind?  How much time do you spend listening to the television, music, news, podcasts?  How much of that time do you need to spend sitting in silence and listening to your own thoughts?  I have always heard that if you can’t stand sitting in silence with yourself, how much more are those around you bored listening to you?  

Get rid of your list of things to do and start each week with one thing that you can cut out.  Pick one day to do the shopping instead of running back and forth for unnecessary items.  Pick one friend that you can reach out to, have coffee with or a meaningful conversation, instead of trying to pack numerous lunch dates into your week.  Focus on quality and not quantity.

Now sit back and reap the benefits of simplification.  Appreciate the things you do have instead of pining for the things that you wish you did.  Make 2020 a year of dont’s instead of a year of do’s.  And if simplify isn’t a word that resonates with you, choose another one to focus on for the year. Set those intentions for the year or even the day and enjoy the benefits.