The benefits of a simpler life

The other night I went to put the bins out and it was a beautiful, fresh kind of evening. 

I glanced up into the sky, and noticed it was a full moon. 

The moon was shining brightly through the clouds, and it looked so beautiful. 

I took a breath and had a moment of pure… appreciation.

(You know those times when you realize how small you are, and how big the world is?!)

It got me thinking about all the people over the centuries who have looked up at the moon (or stars) and had similar moments of wonder.

As I had this thought, I had an immediate realization… that I was yearning simplicity.

I wanted (needed?) things to be simpler. 

And I started mulling over what that might look like. 

What does "simpler" look like?

I took a deep breath, and ideas started rushing into my head. (I guess they were just waiting for the invitation!) 

An image came into my head of sitting around a campfire, quietly chatting with friends.

Or relaxing in a comfy chair, looking up at the stars.

I took out a pen and paper and started noting down what a simpler life meant, for me...

• less phone time
  
  
• simple hobbies (I’m not exactly sure what this means, but it feels good!)
  
  
• home-cooked food
  
  
• a decluttered house
  
  
• being in nature
  
  
• comfy clothes
  
  
• space between things, less rushing
  
  
• spending time with awesome people, lots of laughing
  
  
• spiritual things in my life - meditating etc

Not just me...

I think it’s the same for many of us.

Many of us are craving a move back to simplicity in some form. 

What does that entail?

Maybe taking 5 or 10 minutes to do nothing. (If that elicits a negative or fearful response in you, it might be worth looking into!)

Sitting around a fire, roasting marshmallows.

Eating a really simple meal (some of my best meals or recipes are the ones that consist of just a few ingredients!)

Turning the main lights off and using fairy lights or candles one evening.

(It’s only a small thing, but it completely changes the atmosphere in the house. Safely, of course ;)

My suggestion to you...

If any of this is striking a chord with you, take a minute to think about how you could make your life simpler.

Life is busy these days! 

We live in a fast-paced, on-the-go world – which has brought many benefits – but we need to have ways to get out of that crazy as well.

It doesn't have to mean swapping your four-bedroom house for a yurt in the middle of nowhere. 

It doesn't mean saying no to every social invitation and sitting at home meditating every night :)

What it might look like...

• It might mean saying no to an invitation so you only do one thing a day, rather than rushing to three events but not feeling present at any of them.
  
  
• It might be taking time to get rid of some clutter - even in just one area of your house - so you have room to breathe.
  
  
• It might be having a phone-free evening for two or three hours (send your phone to “Phone Jail”!) 
  
  
• Or it might be laying down on grass, or feeling sand between your fingers (as the kids say: “go touch grass!”) 

Because the crazy pace of life isn’t working for most of us. 

I think we put up with it because we think we have to.

But we don’t.

We really don’t. 

If you want to make a change...

Here’s the kicker - no one else can do it for you. 

If you’re craving a simpler life: start small.

Start with one thing, or one area.

Take a few moments to think about this: What does “simple living” mean to you? 

It doesn't need to be ground-breaking or involve shaving your head, moving to a different part of the world, or only eating lentils (phoof!)

It might just be giving yourself permission to say no more than you do currently. 

It might be making a conscious shift from owning more things towards having more meaningful experiences.

It might just mean pausing before you eat your dinner, or before you talk to your child or spouse.

Or just closing down this webpage, so you have one less tab open ;)

Take back the power - however it feels right for you!

Until next month, lots of love,
 
Claire  

❤