Simplicity
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about simplicity.
Actually, I’ve been thinking about it steadily for over a year.
KonMari.
I heard about the KonMari method around that time, even talked about it here. I’m a KonMari dropout… I made it through books and clothes, maybe even dabbled into the next section…and then nothing. I love it in concept, but I did not follow through.
Feng Shui.
I also have certain Feng Shui principles that I have applied to every house since the early 2000’s when I learned them.
- No mirrors in my bedroom (we started with the one that was attached to the dresser).
- No TV’s in any bedroom (although the kids seem to have finally gotten around this one with laptops).
- The bed positioned so that the feet do not align with the exit of the door (and placed in whatever is the commanding position for the room. Typically it is a place where you can see whoever is coming in the door).
There are similar principles that I apply to other parts of the house.
Mostly keeping in line with you being able to see what is coming at you.
I think they make sense because I think our natural instincts are to be aware of our surroundings and alert to dangers.
There are plenty of other principles.
I mostly apply what I have found to create a more comfortable environment.
Feng Shui also relates to simplicity because clutter stops the flow of energy.
Clutter.
Clutter distracts.
Clutter creates disharmony in my spirit.
And yet, my house is still full of it.
I am not a good housekeeper.
It is not a trait of mine that I admire.
I have spoken about my lack of skill in the past.
I have shared how easily distracted that I tend to become.
I’m always trying to weed out, to minimize, to simplify.
I have this compulsion that I feel like it’s essential to my growth as a person to complete this task.
I don’t want to be a slave to my possessions.
I don’t want to continually clean my home (and it still look like I’ve done nothing).
I want to invite a friend over for coffee and not race around hiding debris (to be clear, I doubt any of my friends would care. This is self-imposed).
I want to hang out more with my kids…spend more quality time with my husband.
I want to find moments to “just be” and not feel guilty about all the chores hanging over me.
I can see why there is a tiny house movement. 500 sq ft or less is a little too intimidating for me.
But I could downsize.
Lower overhead.
Less to clean.
Less places for clutter to hide.
I could totally downsize.
Which is a huge eye-opener for me. I have steadily picked larger and larger homes…and now I want to revert to something more akin to a bungalow (with terrazzo floors and retro bathrooms if I were still by the Florida seashore).
I am not sure minimalism is fully what I’m aiming for, but it does give me ideas for my process.
Since the beginning of my journey, I have been seeking simplicity and contentment.
Hygge.
Hygge has become the new buzzword in simplicity.
And of course, I only heard about it a few months ago, which I shared here.
(As a side note: I was really hoping that my DNA test would show that I was more than 5% Scandinavian. I was sure that my big hands, big feet, and broad shoulders were because I had an ancestor that was a Viking Princess!)
I decided that I would put some hygge and simplicity books on hold at the library.
Imagine my surprise when they all came in within a few days of each other.
This means that I will be stepping up my reading game. The Hygge books and The Joy of Less are only two week loans because they are new. Which also means that somebody else will probably have them on hold and I will not be able to re-check them out.
In what little I’ve read, I haven’t found hygge to be about the “less stuff” side of simplicity.
It seems to me to be more about the “being present” and “content” side of simplicity.
And cozy.
Cozy is a word that surrounds the concept of hygge.
I like cozy.
Especially because I don’t like cold.
The hubby bought me L.L. Bean slippers for Christmas so my toes don’t turn blue (like literally…I have Raynaud’s).
They remind of little elfin boots…which I find hilarious since I have large feet.
I’ve read that bedtime rituals help prepare your mind for a better sleep. I still haven’t eliminated blue light time in bed (I check my phone…not so good for sleepy time), but I do put on a lotion that’s scent triggers my brain that it’s time for bed.
I am on the slow road to simplicity.
But I am moving ever forward.
Your Turn.
Do you have any parts of your day(s) that help you to find more simplicity?
If so, be sure to share in the comments.
I love learning new things!
Let your light shine!
Amy
