I could go extreme, but the act of simplifying our lives shouldn't be extreme. Moderate simplicity. That's what I'm aiming for. Getting into the habit of doing the simple instead of making everything so complex.
Our world is full of crazy amounts of stuff, information, things to do. There is so much that we miss out on because we are so busy finding the next distraction. My goal is to stop being distracted. Simplify my expectations and "needs" to find the joy in the unexpected.
I so often get distracted by the many, many, many things I “should” be doing or "could" be doing. And I am reminded right now that there is a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3). There is a season for doing more and less and a season for being more, but right now, with 2 littles at home and others that need caring for, my season is here and now to be love to my family, to serve them and to work on myself (to learn and grow and create good habits).
Ways I plan on simplifying:
- Use what I have. When I want to make something or give something I should start with what I own first. Or what I can salvage from the world around me. (So, no more trips to the craft store just because I want to try [and most likely not finish] a new project)
- Less tv/phone/social media/internet distractions. They have a place and they aren’t inherently bad, but limited. Like less than an hour a day.
- To stop being busy and start being purposeful. This isn’t so much about adding things to my life, but about doing things on purpose. Showering people with love and thoughtfulness instead of focusing on the selfish desires for "me" time.
- Food. It should be simple—not full of crazy ingredients or unnatural things. I’m not going to go crazy or a stickler, but I am going to strive to eat the simplest foods.