‘Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.’
~ Confucius
How do we complicate our lives? Usually, it is because of too much. Too much stuff. Too much to do. Too many commitments. Too many distractions. Our world has a habit of coming at us from all directions. It can be nerve-wracking and overwhelming at times. We just keep going round and round on the hamster wheel. Sometimes, we don’t even recognize it. We are so conditioned to stay on the same path, our same thoughts, and our same ways of doing things.
Do you recognize the complexities of your life? Sit in stillness and examine how you go about your days. What is your motivation for doing what you do? Is it your passion? Is it to be of service to others? To get noticed? To get ahead and land the next promotion, deal, or contract? To keep yourself busy? Does it all make you feel complete? Is crazy busy a badge of honor for you?
Granted, everyone will have a little bit of all of the above going on depending on the particular components of our lives. However, if you discover that some of these motivations are not in your best interest, serving your soul, making you feel good about yourself, or causing more stress and heartache, it is time to re-think. Again, sit in stillness and ask yourself what is really necessary. Are you trying to be too perfect in everything you do? Are you shaming yourself into thinking that this is what you should be doing? Do you do these things to feel loved? Do you become obsessed with one thing to keep you from doing another? Are your expectations unreasonably high? Over my life, I have answered yes to all of these questions at one time or another.
The next point to ponder is how and what you can do to simplify. This is not an easy task! We get so programmed into doing things and thinking the same way that it is hard to shift gears. And it takes effort. It’s easy to stay in the hamster wheel but potentially more damaging if you never hop off.
So as you start to re-think the complexities of your life, begin to embrace simplicity. Figure out what you can let go of. We don’t have to do it all! Stretch out your timelines – not everything has to be handled right now. Say NO to those things that do not promote a sense of simplicity and well-being for yourself. And let go of doing everything perfectly. Chances are it is only you who sees the perfection or lack thereof anyway!
I have lately found that I can enjoy the smaller things when I don’t pile so much on my plate. I can notice more of the good things around me. I can take more time in conversations and gatherings with friends and family. I can listen better. I can appreciate and cherish everything more. I make it a point to find time to do what makes me feel full of life rather than full of chores or those dreaded should-do’s.
Our electronics are a blessing and a curse. Although they can do miraculous things for us, they also bring added complexities to our life. At a minimum, we should decide what notifications we need chirping at us, when, and how often. We don’t need to be interrupted constantly for minor details that can take us down time-wasting rabbit holes. I’m guessing we can catch up on our email and social media feeds once a day rather than every time a post, a tweet, or whatever pops up! And while we are on the subject... do we really need to fill our lives with so much social media? Wouldn’t a nice walk in the neighborhood be more rewarding than seeing so much of what we probably don’t want to see on our phones? We might even strike up new in-person friendships as we encounter our neighbors.
Take a look at your to-do list as well. Is it overreaching? Unrealistic? When we add too much, we can feel guilty if we are not successfully crossing them off. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to accomplish a lot. Our society also piles it on and expects us to be overachievers. So the next time you start making your list, try to make it more manageable. Think of fewer necessary items and more time to complete them. Think simple! Think of easing your burden and uncomplicating your life first and foremost.
When life is simpler, we can enjoy it more. There will be more time for the things you really want to immerse yourself in. When you can uncomplicate your life, your stress level lowers, and your happiness increases. You have more time to notice Mother Nature and her endless beauty around you. You can spend more time playing and laughing with your loving family and friends. You can embark on a new hobby. Everything boils down to choices. Why not choose to be less complicated and more simple?
Is your life overcomplicated? How do you complicate things in your life? What can you do to simplify? What does your ideal simple day look like?
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