I’ve been sick for a week. It’s just a cold but I’m frustrated that I don’t feel well, that I don’t want to do things, or make things, and that I don’t have the energy I usually do. Feeling like this reminds me about what simplicity can’t do for us.
Simplicity is an amazing tool. It’s helped me to make some big changes in my life. Thanks to simplicity, I live well with MS, changed careers, and typically feel way better than I used to when I was deep in clutter, debt, and stress.
While living a simpler life with less stress can add more health, wealth and happiness to our lives, it can’t prevent every mess.
- Even though my closet is tidy, I still caught a cold.
- Even though I’m debt free, anxiety still gets the best of me.
- Even though my calendar has tons of white space, I still get hurt, inside and out.
- Even though my home is clutter-free, there are days when I am a hot mess.
We can’t simplify our way into a perfect life, nor should we want to. I bring it up though incase you are just getting started, or struggling, or comparing, or just curious. I paint a beautiful picture of minimalism and simplifying but some days, even with simplicity, life is messy. We are messy. It’s part of the human condition. Highs, lows, ups, downs … all of it comes with being human, even when we’ve simplified.
I have to work on myself every day. Feeling calm and centered doesn’t come naturally. I over react when I want to under react. I hold on when I mean to let go. In between all the lovely parts are messy parts. Sometimes I think I’ve got it all together but unless I’m intentionally focused, I’m all over the place. Living with less, practicing a morning routine, and taking really good care of myself helps me be more me. A little bit each day matters more than trying to squeeze it all in over a weekend. Consistency matters more than intensity.
Life is messy. Simplicity helps but it’s not a cure-all. We have to keep coming back to ourselves. Even when it’s hectic or sad or scary out there, we can still be our warm, loving, amazing, gracious selves. Just because things are crazy around you doesn’t mean things have to be crazy within you.
On the days when you aren’t your best, and when things are messy, be gentle with yourself. Don’t expect or demand more than you have to give. Be patient and remind yourself that things always turn around. Treat yourself like you would treat a really good friend having a bad day.
Invite simplicity in to improve your life, not to perfect it. Even the messes have something to offer.
Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Hands on heart. Repeat. You’ve got this.