Spoiler alert: This simplicity journey you are on is not about your countertops. That’s spring cleaning. Certainly decluttering is part of it. When we hear about the benefits of simplicity, we immediately think of organized sock drawers and tidy bookshelves, but it’s much more than that if you want it to be.
The best part about simplifying my outside is that I’ve made space and time to listen to my inside.
There are four sections in my new book, Soulful Simplicity …
- making me
- making space
- making time
- making love
In each section there is a chapter called “Put Your Hands on Your Heart.” I included it in each section to share a very simple heart practice and to help close the gap between inspiration and action. Let’s face it, we are over inspired with all of the information delivered in our inboxes, through our social feeds and in our day-to-day lives. Inspirational quotes, great articles, new ideas, transformative stories … they all inspire, but do they move us to take action? Or, are we too overwhelmed, even with the good stuff?
Sometimes it seems like there so many choices, so many things we want to do, but it’s too hard to know where to start, so we choose nothing.
Take a deep breath. This is where we start.
A little challenge to create space for your heart
I used to think there wasn’t a best place to start when it came to making changes in your life. I changed my mind. The best place to start is with you. That’s where everything starts.
If you are on auto-pilot constantly reacting to life’s demands and everything thrown your way, you may have forgotten that. I know I did. I forgot who I was, what I believed, and how to trust myself. I forgot what was best for me.
I forgot my heart. Maybe you forgot yours too.
This challenge is your way back.
Soulful Simplicity Challenge: Put Your Hands on Your Heart
Challenge Rules:
Why: After seeing minimalist fashion challenge Project 333 change closets and lives around the world, I know you love a good challenge. A challenge helps to close the gap between inspiration and action. It offers clear steps to move forward eliminating more decisions and procrastination when it comes to getting started.
When: Right now. 10 days in a row. I’ll add some dates to kick things off below but please start this challenge the moment you feel inspired to re-connect, to remember, to put your hands on your heart.
Where: Anywhere. In your bed, your closet, your bathroom, your car, an airplane seat, on the train … you get the picture. It’s better alone, but you really can do this practice anywhere.
How: Every good challenge needs a few rules, accountability, and a reward. Just like Project 333, you will give most of the rewards (the meaningful ones) to yourself, but I want to add an extra layer of reward too (more on that below).
Step one.
Create a little sanctuary where you can sit quietly for 5 minutes a day.
This may be as simple as taking a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth (like a really big sigh) to signify the start of your practice. Or, if you have a place in your home you could place a candle, journal, pen and blanket or other comfort items, do that.
Step two.
Put your hands on your heart.
Choose a time each day for next 10 days where you can sit quietly for 5 minutes. Put it on your calendar. Try the practice in silence, or with soothing music. After a few cleansing breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth (seriously let it all out), close your eyes or turn your gaze down and focus on your breath.
Next, place one hand on your heart, and cover your hand with the other. Feel your heart beating. Feel the warmth of your heart and your hands. Now, while continuing to breath in and out with some intention, simply listen to your heart. Just be there. Only practice for 5 minutes for the 10 day challenge. If you want to go deeper, wait. Just be there.
Helpful tips:
1. If you are thinking this practice is weird or woo or worthless, ask these two questions …
- Wouldn’t it be crazy if putting my hands on my heart helped me to know and trust myself?
- What do I have to lose by being open and curious (if nothing else, it’s 50 minutes just for me)?
2. Keep it simple. The most important part of this is that you put your hands on your heart every day for 10 days. Don’t worry about making it pretty or perfect.
Also—these are some of my favorite quotes about simple fashion.
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P.S. If you are interested dive deeper into this heart practice and your own soulful simplicity and Read Soulful Simplicity.
