Last Updated on August 16, 2015 by Kate Darktea
I like simple. It is something I aspire to because things are easier with fewer decisions and it is quicker to clear up. I’ve made it very clear that I like simple by including it in my strap line Capture > Process > Simplify, however I’ve realised I’ve been concentrating on the wrong type of simple. Recently my simple has been about simplifying processes to make them more efficient, so I can do more. I’ve been focussed on being busy and getting more done. Instead I want to focus on simplifying my life and activities.
I’ve recently returned from our holiday to Dorset, and it was the most relaxing holiday I can remember for a long time; because it was simple (and the Isle of Purbeck is a beautiful place as you can see in the photographs). It started as simple because I had a constant sinus headache and the weather forecast was not great so we didn’t plan activities until part way through the day. This meant we got into the routine of having lazy mornings, which the children loved, staying in their sleepwear for hours. Normally I would have spent that time working on my task list, but due to lethargy from my sinuses I rarely looked at it over the holiday, instead I just sat thinking, rediscovered logic problems, sorted photos from the holiday and taught my daughter to play patience and sevens.
The thing I’ve realised is I love how I feel from a simpler life and I’m keen to retain it. My first priority is to continue getting more sleep as I find everything easier and more relaxed when I’ve had enough sleep. The next thing is to decide on my priorities and book them into each week or do them in the mornings – tips I’ve picked up from What the most successful people do before breakfast. I’ve never had weekly goals before so this is new to me.
I recognise that simplifying my life has several aspects: my thoughts, activities and stuff. I’ve started reviewing my activities by letting most of them slide and learning which ones I miss. In the past I would feel guilty by not completing tasks, but now I’m telling myself that I approve of my actions and it doesn’t matter if I don’t schedule posts on Twitter for a few days. The outcome of this maybe I stop some activities, ask people to help me or return to them with increased enthusiasm. Stuff is another area I will benefit from simplifying and my sister has recommended a book (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing) that sounds useful so look out for me sharing my thoughts about it on Periscope (although that is one of the activities I’ve currently dropped, but I’m sure I’ll be back).
How do you incorporate simple into your life? What is the hardest thing you’ve had to simplify?
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Hi Kate, yes simplicity is something I come back to again and again. It is good to have reminders though as I think it is so easy to overcomplicate things (or maybe that’s just me!). We have the same reading list I think! I remember chatting to you on twitter about the things people do before breakfast book. I also have the Marie Kondo book and I LOVE it! I’m in the (slow) process of de-cluttering my life and it feels better with everything I throw away; the air feels cleaner and my shoulders lighter! Glad you had a good holiday in Purbeck. Just being there feels like going back in time. It’s a magical place 🙂 Happy simplifying! Emma x
Yes you are right Emma. It was our Twitter chat that inspired me to start reading What successful people do before breakfast. Although I’d read the book before, this time I took it slower and I’m trying to implement more of the ideas. I’ve started reading the Marie Kondo book this week and I’m very keen to start decluttering things. I hope yours is going well.