One thing I love about summer is that I can start my day outside. This morning, I woke up, grabbed my notebook and a glass of water, and went up to the roof of our apartment building. The sun was just coming up and the sky and clouds over the mountains were magical.
It’s one of the many reasons I wake up early. I like carving out time for my morning routine. I love that I can see and appreciate things that do not exist after 8am.
When I start my day in awe of my surroundings, I’m reminded that the best things are never things.
Let go
I’ve let go of thousands of personal possessions, a beautiful home with a big yard and lots of storage space, a fancy car with heated leather seats, an impressive job title, a busy social calendar, a closet full of brand name clothes, and decades of ideas about what I thought would make me happy. I let go and created the time and space to be in awe of the things that really matter.
If you want peace, let go.
Say no
I say no to myself and others. Instead of trying to do all the things, or entertain every idea or choice I have, I choose carefully to protect the precious time and space I’ve created. Saying no didn’t feel comfortable at first, and I worried about disappointing people, but with practice, I’ve learned that it’s ok to say what you want, and what you don’t want.
If you want ease, say no.
Be Awestruck
I see the sky and clouds almost every single day and I never take the view for granted. I am awestruck on a daily basis walking through the city, hiking with my husband, hearing a powerful story, or simply by looking up. Being awestruck feels like a delicious mash-up of gratitude, joy, and delight.
If you want joy, be awestruck.
There is a path from overwhelmed and crazy-busy to peace, ease, and joy. It’s a long path, with lots of ups and downs, but there is so much beauty, and many opportunities to be awestruck along the way. I hope I see you there.
Elizabeth says
July 16, 2015 at 11:58 amSo well said, Courtney! I love your blog and have found all of these to be true and liberating. One of the challenges for me is to not get caught up in looking at others and what they have or why they see me as doing less and not understanding my “less.” However, my entire journey through having/doing less has made me more self confident and most definitely happier. Thanks for always showing us the simple and powerful.
Laura J Tong says
July 16, 2015 at 12:22 pmAh, what a beautiful picture you’ve painted Courtney. That’s exactly how we start every morning – up an hour earlier than necessary, breakfast in the garden (weather permitting) with a full bird table and wild pheasants pecking around us – that fills us with awe every day. Enjoy your peace, your space and your awestruckness!
Dennis says
July 16, 2015 at 1:57 pmThank you… Simply “Thank you.”
Great reminders.
Jo-Anne says
July 16, 2015 at 7:36 pmYES!! Just do it.
Eve says
July 17, 2015 at 8:43 amI think that is a wonderful idea. I forget to just go outside and look up, not just in yhe morning but at night. Thanks for reminder that we have an awesome world all around us and it’s free.
Dan says
July 19, 2015 at 1:17 am“Instead of trying to do all the things, or entertain every idea or choice I have, I choose carefully to protect the precious time and space I’ve created. ”
These words definitely resonated with me. I love how the things you do, the choices you make, are deliberate, purposeful, and are aligned to meet your goals and criteria for happiness. It’s interesting how we make decisions that we don’t want simply out of obligation or politeness.
In my journey to a more minimalist lifestyle, I find this to be most difficult, simply because I have a very fluid and agreeing personality. However, you’re right: “If you want ease, say no.” I intend to work on this to inspire a simple and more fulfilling life for me.