Simplicity is a concept I’ve always been fascinated with although I didn’t understand it correctly. I thought it had to do with choosing to live a life devoid of comfort.
I’m beginning to understand that simplicity is living a life that is uncomplicated by a need to have, do and achieve more and more. Living a simple life is living a stress-free life.
I love these words and for me they define what simplicity truly is.
Just say no. To people, places, things that don’t fill your heart with joy. ~Louise Morganti Kaelin
I’m Daring To Be Simple
I’ve signed up for KindSpring’s 21 Day Simple Living Challenge. Although the challenge started on the 8th, I was travelling and couldn’t get into it. I started with the challenge today.
Here’s a sample of the kind of ideas that KindSpring suggests. I find every one of them meaningful.
Day 1: Declutter Your Home. Give Away At Least One Thing You Don’t Need
Day 2: Make Time To Unplug. Reduce Screen Time Today
Day 3: Spend Ten Minutes In Silence
Day 4: Clear Out Your Inbox / Mailbox
Day 5: Do Something That You’ve Been Putting Off
Day 6: Reflect On Three Things That Bring Meaning To Your Life.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what living a simple life would entail for me and I figured out a few things already:
1. Focusing on my health. Ill health complicates life and I must do all I can to stay healthy. Better health, less tension.
2. Staying grateful. When I focus with gratitude on all that I have in my life, I can’t really yearn for more, can I? More gratitude, less greed!
3. Having an abundance mentality. Knowing that the Universe is generous and that I must be generous too. I am confident I will be taken care of and that all is well. More abundance, less stress.
4. Investing in healthy relationships. Rather than trying to be nice and popular, I will focus on people who add meaning and joy to my life. More love, less pretence. More joy, less drama.
I’m glad that I’m making these choices. I can already begin to feel a difference in my outlook in a short space of time. I will keep you updated on how the Challenge makes a difference too.
I’m daring to be simple. Are you doing the same?
Aha! That’s wonderful! Love this 21 day challenge.
They say life is really simple but we make it complicated. If only we can enjoy the simple pleasures of life, make simple changes in our day-to-day life, it would be so awesome and worthwhile too!
Shilpa Garg recently posted..Why I Read
That’s a wonderful post Corinne. I am bookmarking this. Would like to try this. 🙂
Vinitha recently posted..#MicroblogMondays – LOL, I never did!
What a great idea! We all need to simplify in this complicated, fast paced world where so much is competing for our attention and it isn’t necessarily good for us either. I like the sound of that challenge. All the best with it.
Cathy Graham recently posted..Facing My Fears
Simplicity is really an attitude of life. Your list says it all. Concentrate on what brings joy, to yourself and others. What could be more helpful? Add that to accepting your loved-ones just as they are, and you will have conquered your stress. 😉
Francene Stanley recently posted..How taking a daily shower can harm your skin.
AH Corinne…simplicity! That word brings me such joy. I don’t believe I am a type A person, but I am OCD so simplicity can be difficult for me at times. I get caught up in things and thought processes way too easily. I’ve been working towards simple for about a year now. I think I’m getting somewhere with it!! Thanks for the great link!
Robyn recently posted..I’ve Discovered a Creature of Happiness
love the post Corinne. We make things so complicated that it is great to put time aside to celebrate simplicity. Great tips on how to implement it too! Although I think I’d find it hard not to speak for 10 min!
That sounds like a very worthwhile and meaningful challenge. All the best.
Laurel Regan recently posted..BlogHer ’15: A difficult decision
I love this!! And I’ve been working on all these things lately. Great post.
Talya Tate Boerner recently posted..Farm Art Friday: Big Green Tractor Rut
O how I love this post! Thanks Corinne for this much-needed dose of sanity this morning. I love the way you use these phrases – More joy, less drama. More love, less pretense. More gratitude, less greed. These sound so simple and express such profound truths for life and living. Thanks much for this post.
Beloo Mehra recently posted..Book She Wrote
Choosing to lead a simple life is definitely not easy, it takes some courage to take the path untrodden. I wish you good luck, in your quest to bring more meaning into your life. My husband and I strongly believe and practice to the best of our ability, to live a simple, uncomplicated life 🙂
Vidya recently posted..The Words Within
Superlike! Today only I got a guest post on the KISS syndrome for writers.. (keep it simple stupid ) and now this. Should I take this as an indication from the upstairs MAN. 🙂 Full of postivity Corinne. Love it.
Simple living and high thinking is the best way to live.. I am glad you joined this.
Day 1 to 6 are so easy and doable. I will too just action and simply do these steps. Good idea it is.
Loved the quote “Just say no. To people, places, things that don’t fill your heart with joy. ~Louise Morganti Kaelin”
Inderpreet recently posted..Being West is Best Book Review
Keeping life simple is what it’s all about. I truly try to practice this outlook each and every day, with gratitude and joy because I know, like you, God will provide. Looking forward to reading your posts in this challenge, Corinne!
Blessings!
Martha Orlando recently posted..Make Us Fruitful!
To be completely honest, I have been simplifying my life for quite a while. The less stress the better.
Kathy S Combs recently posted..Never Ending Winter
I really really really loved this article. I totally am in full on belief of this way of living. I have something to share – the four points you shared that you have found to live a simpler life are ones that I am focusing on this year as well. Healthier living through our bodies, mind and relationships. Go us, right?
Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.
Irish
Irish Carter recently posted..Girls and their exes – ending unhealthy relationships
Simplicity indeed takes courage. Beautifully written and loved the quote 🙂
Yes I am daring to live simply – being simple – simplifying! We began giving away things we didn’t use or were not blessed by. We would take them down to the spot at the end of our driveway after praying the right one would find the right thing, put up a sign that stated, “FREE” and without fail, things would disappear quickly. What was very surprising is that no one took it all. They only took what they wanted and left the rest for someone else. It was such a lovely surprise. We also found out that one couple (who actually live sort of across the road) had NOTHING and found our two recliner chairs to be the biggest blessing in their life (and came to tell my husband so). Giving is so much more fun than hoarding! It also helps one live simply!!! GREAT post.
nan recently posted..Whatever Lola Wants…