Tag: Simplify

Simplify: Focus on faith, not fear

Simplify is a word that keeps coming up again and again. Right now, the world has turned upside down and we’re wrestling with the loss of freedom and control. This includes those who have lost their jobs or homes or loved ones.

For those who are trying to just make sense of world events or who are struggling with the confines of being at home, perhaps we need to look at sheltering at home as an opportunity.
Look, I’m not dismissing the seriousness of this pandemic, not at all. And it may not be easy to stay home. But I also refuse to run around with my hair on fire.

Right now, my husband and I are sequestered at home. We’re very thankful we both have jobs that allow us to work from home. So, while we’re here in this situation, I want to be productive, and instead of struggling with “can’t go to …dinner or go to the movies or go to church or whatever,” I want to focus on how to make the best of our current situation.

That goes back to “simplify.” Before the pandemic, my husband’s job kept him on the fast track, and when we did have time together, well, we both were distracted, and frankly, exhausted. Now that he’s working from home, he’s actually getting more done at his job – there are less interruptions!

Plus, like a lot families in our neighborhood, we’re out taking a walk most days. The TV isn’t on as much right now. And we’ve broken out our puzzle, which is currently spread (and finished since I first started writing this post) all over the dining room table.

While there is fear, uncertainty and restlessness right now, I’m doing my best to focus on the simpler things in life, like precious time with my husband.

For me, I try to pay attention to the simple day-to-day things. I feel closer to God, knowing I have to trust in him, that we have to be still. Be still and know that God is still here.

Follow-up Note: I wrote the above post over a week ago. I’m struggling with writing like I should be and struggle to get work done. I’m doing what I need to do, but I’m definitely not on top of my game. So, unless you think it’s easy to simplify and try to focus on just day-to-day stuff, it’s not. But I think it’s worthy to try.

I saw this quote attributed to C.S. Lewis recently, and it says, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” That inspires so much hope. Hope that things will be better once this pandemic is over. But also hope that we’ve reconnected with family and treasure our friendships, and have drawn closer to God with our faith and hope. So, while it’s a struggle some days, I still refuse to have fear overwhelm me. If I feel that happening, then it’s time to simplify again. Focus on day-to-day, on time with my husband, and knowing that God is still here and we’ll get through this.

Is Your Stuff Weighing You Down?

Have you ever reached a point where your stuff overwhelms you? Stuff meaning your material possessions, your social media or any other distractions that take you away from your family or work.
Coffee Bar
Recently, my husband and I did a remodel of our kitchen. We took down a wall to add a coffee bar. On the other side of that wall is our master bedroom closet. It’s always a little scary digging in to a closet to take some footage away, so we remodeled our closet as well to maximize the space. (I love being married to an architect, who is also into construction!)

It seemed this was an obvious time to go through my closet and do some major purging. Ugh! Just the thought of digging through all of my stuff was overwhelming. It would be so much easier to shove everything back in the closet and ignore it. But no, there was just too many clothes. This was ridiculous. Time to purge!

I was brutal. Even if I loved a particular item of clothing, if it didn’t fit me today, right now, then it went. I only kept what fit me now. No more saving that pair of pants for when I lost weight, or hanging on to that oversized shirt in case I gained weight again. It had to fit me today.
Nine Bags
I was brutal with my shoes as well. Even if they were cute, if they rubbed my heel or squashed my toes, they were gone. If I hadn’t worn them in years, they were gone. I literally had a pair of heels that I hadn’t worn in over 25 years!!! They were still in good shape but why was I keeping them? Out they finally went. In the end, I filled nine – count them, NINE large garbage bags with shoes and clothes.

And you know what? It felt GREAT! I felt lighter! I was cleansed! In the process, I found a couple of really cute shirts that I forgot I had that I never wore. So, while I got rid of a lot of clothes, I found some “new” and never worn items to add back in.
New Closet
This major closet cleansing has inspired me to keep going. Right now, I’m focusing on social media and my writing. I subscribe to way too many blogs that are supposed to help me with writing. All they’re doing is creating more noise in my head and taking up too much time.

I also like the latest, greatest program to help organize my writing, or do the best outline, or create characters this way. Well, those are also creating noise. I’m going to find one and stick with it! I don’t need the latest, greatest thing – I need the one that works for me. None of these programs is going to help me a better writer. The only way I can do that is to sit down and write, every day! No program will help me with doing the actual work.

Next will be my kitchen, as we’ve continued with the remodel by replacing all of our kitchen cabinets and moving some things around. Time to get brutal – I mean, how many spatulas does a girl really need? We’ll soon find out.

So, here’s hoping I can carry this “cleansing” attitude around for a while. I’ve been weighed down for a long time without even realizing it. By simplifying and purging, I’ve lightened my load and regained my focus.

How about you? How do you keep from being weighed down by stuff?