The first week of August is Simplify Your Life Week, and I thought this
would be a great topic to address. So, grab an iced tea, sit back and put your
feet up. Let's talk simplifying!!
So, what does it mean to
simplify? I can guarantee you the definition is different for each of us
because we all have differing priorities. But if you could simplify one area of
your life, what would it be?
For me, it started when my
daughter became a teenager. I felt it necessary to take a new part time job in
the area so that I could be home more. This was a big change for me. I'd
always been wrapped up in my career, commuting and working long hours. But I
knew life as a teenager in today's society was much more challenging than when I
was a teen. I wanted to be available and visible. So, I jumped in with both
feet! Let me tell you, this was a huge adjustment for our entire household . .
. including our bank account.
In my situation, I
simplified in many areas: New job, less hours, lower income, shorter commute,
and cutting back on unnecessary spending. It's a lot of changes all at once,
and not something I'd normally recommend. Too many changes at once
= overwhelm. For me, I was motivated, and there was no changing my
mind.
But under less stressful
situations, take a moment and make a list of small changes you can
immediately put in place. For example, if your dresser is crammed with clothing
you don't wear or can't fit into, make time to sort through three drawers.
It'll probably only take you 45 minutes. Have a box next to you and place your
old clothing in it for donation to your favorite charity. Set the box aside
and out of the way. The next day, do the same thing with another three
drawers.
The point is, trim the
excess around you a little at a time. Then, you can consider bigger changes.
I have a quote that I relay to all of my clients: "Inch by inch is a cinch.
Yard by yard is too hard." I don't know who coined this phrase, but it's right
on!
Now, just to give you a
chuckle, I will give you an example of where I recently tried to implement too
much at once. You could say I definitely bit off more than I could chew! One
day I decided to bicycle more, eliminate sweets, and try to eat a more balanced
diet (I say this as I'm at this moment waiting for our pizza deliveryman to
bring us dinner), and cut back my visits to the quilt stores. I succeeded at
this for two months, but it was overload and overwhelm. I broke down and went
to In N Out for a burger and fries. I found that once I let one vice slip, the
others weren't far behind. How I should have simplified this was to allow
myself a certain number of sweets per week, and one night a week for pizza or
burgers. I have succeeded at telling myself 'No' when I'm in quilt stores. If
a piece of fabric, tool or book doesn't call my name, then I leave empty-handed
and I don't feel resentful with myself. In fact, I feel proud.
Another example of using
the word 'No' is saying it to other people. Cut back on your
commitments. I personally won't serve on more than one committee at a time.
When I explain that to people, they understand. In fact, they usually say they
admire my ability to say no because they aren't able to!
Yesterday I met an
elderly lady who was simplifying her life in a big way. She had a large home
and was downsizing to a smaller one. She's also a quilter, and doesn't sew as
much as she used to. She simplified by clearing out her fabric stash, and
keeping just a handful of projects. She wasn't giving up her hobby, just
simplifying it and her life.
Simplifying = peace of
mind. Give it a try, and let me know how you do.
Wait, I hear the
doorbell. Time to wrap this up -- pizza's here!
