Simplicity
Life tends to get hectic and the fog surrounding us often shades us from residing in simplicity. With the most recent pandemic still imprinted on our lives we have the amazing opportunity to reset. Readjust our attitudes, reset on our priorities, and refocus on our goals. The extra time to reflect, talk with clients, spend time with family, and explore has been enlightening. I have come to discover that the most joy, peace, and healing has come through the power of simplicity. This is a concept that I have found to be applicable in all areas of my life.
Last week I had a Zoom Meeting with a friend and fellow classmate. We were talking about some of our clients, brainstorming some new intervention techniques, and tossing random thoughts around. She told me about a client that she was working with who so desperately wanted to develop healthier eating habits. As they talked about her current circumstances and routines they came to a realization together. She was simply too busy to introduce anything else into her life. There was quite literally no space in her life for any additions. I said to my friend, “Maybe the problem isn’t that she needs to add anything else to her plate, perhaps she just needs to subtract out things that are nonessential.” This prompted a lengthly discussion and flow of ideas. We came to the consensus that simplicity=more space for healing.
More space doesn’t mean more time to tediously fill. There is a common misconception that we need to add more things to our to-do list in order to practice a healthier lifestyle. FALSE, FALSE, FALSE. A client will say to me, “I work part time, have 3 little kids, am an avid gym rat, am a member of the PTA, am apart of a religious group, etc. etc. etc.” Then they follow up by saying, “But I am coming to you because I want to start including a healthier eating routine, exercise schedule, maybe meditating more, blah blah blah.” Usually I silently sit back, listen attentively, and just look at them with awe. How do people continue to stretch themselves so thin and somehow they still want to add more to their plates?! IT IS CRAZY!!!
This is where this weeks epiphany comes into play. My first piece of counsel to this client and to anyone who is taking 3.5 minutes to read this post is SIMPLIFY. Before you can ever attempt to reset your lifestyle practices you must get rid of excess. Do you really need to be a member of 30 clubs? Is it necessary to have a schedule booked 23 hours a day? Does every activity, hobby, and practice taking up space in your life serve you? When is the last time you asked yourself what is essential and what isn’t? Taking a few minutes to check in with yourself and streamline your priorities will allow you to free up time/space for healing.
I’m a visual type A personality, so for me this process means sitting down and making a list. I made a list of all of the things happening in my life: Clay, Jerry, School, Work, Cooking, Blogging, Coaching, Yoga, Running, Wifing, bottom line is the list was long. Then I went through each one and decided if that thing was essential, worth consuming my time/thoughts, and if helped me achieve my goal of a healthy lifestyle. The funny thing is that the things I ended up highlighting were really just the first three things on my list.
Simplicity is a practice that can be applied to every facet of life. Ridding my life of unnecessary excess has given me the freedom to explore happiness in new areas of life. I have come to find so much peace in silence, exploration, and in simplicity. Health isn’t a holy grail grand prize to be achieved. It is achieved in balance and looks differently on every person. What are some ways I’ve slowed down and simplified different areas of my life, and how can you? Here are a few tips:
Eating
Work with simple, raw, organic, ingredients.
Try to work with an ingredient you have never used before
Make a plan to cook meals that are time sensitive and fit into your schedule.
Go to the farmers market to enjoy the humble roots of where food originates.
Eat with the seasons
Start a garden at home
Movement
Morning yoga flow
Daily walk with your dog
Plan a hike with some friends
Use resistance bands in your house
Go for a run
Social
Zoom call a friend
Have an edgy topic discussion with someone you live with
Read a book with someone and discuss you thoughts
Watch a movie and put your phones in the other room
Take a drive
Cook a meal with/for someone
Technological
GET OFF OF YOUR FREAKING PHONE
No electronics after 8PM to prepare for sleep
Be present when you are around other people
Twitter is dumb
Simple practices open the door for more meaningful and fulfilling experiences. Want to start living a healthier life and habitually practicing nourishing behaviors? SIMPLIFY. Eliminate excess, enjoy nature, make meaningful connections, cook simple meals, sit in silence and check in with yourself often.
