To simplify, we need space. Space protects us from clutter, which is really a terrible hindrance to a clear and relaxed mind. The complexity that comes along with ‘stuff’ that we accumulate through the years can choke the life out of us.
Why is this?
Well, I’m going to borrow an analogy from Jim Bunch, a successful businessman, entrepreneur, and member of the Transformational Leadership Council. He says to think of our overly-tasked lives as an overloaded computer system with too many browsers open. When we leave too many of these browsers open, it slows down the entire system. The same thing happens with us when we keep too many tasks or obstacles untouched. We slow down.
When we simplify, we set ourselves up to succeed.
Sounds good to me because I’ve spent far too long choking over here!
There is an undeniable freedom that takes shape in the presence of space. What do I mean by this? When we allow for space, we essentially provide breathing room or, as I like to refer to it as, wiggle room. With wiggle room we can breathe deeper, focus better, energize quicker, create a sense of lightness and ultimately become happier and healthier.
When we simplify, we gain freedom
She listened to the squirrels play in the branches above. She connected to the simple and grand undertows of the moment. For the first time in a long time, silence comforted her. Her heart reflected back a wishful, thankful beat. – The Dance
After listening to a webinar by Jim Bunch, I began an exercise where I went around to various places in my house where clutter overwhelmed me. I started off in my kitchen pantry. I pulled everything out of it and sorted it. I asked myself, is this making me happy or healthy? If the answer was no, I placed it in the got-to-go pile.
I found expired can goods (from two years ago! I know! yikes) taking up valuable space. I recycled many cans and jars, donated many non-perishables that I would never eat, and tossed out the junk to make room for the foods I eat on a normal basis.
This action resulted in lots of space where I can now see what I have, and will likely eat!
I moved on to the cabinets underneath my bathroom sinks, my linen closet, my bedroom closet, and my kitchen cabinets, repeating the question, is this making me happy or healthy?
Well, fast forward to today. It is recycle day in my neighborhood. As you can imagine, I had to start piling up the recycles very early to make sure they all got to the curb on time!
I can breathe again.
After my tango with clutter, I allowed for a lingering moment where I stood peacefully in front of my newly organized cabinets and marveled at the space now created. Breathing deeply, I opened up to the echo of a peaceful beat, one that awakened my senses and made me want to twirl in response to its riveting lead.
You see, when we let go of what is no longer needed and embrace the richness of simplicity, breath flows. That open space on the horizon of freedom embodies ease with its feathery tickle and mouthwatering tapping on our hungry souls. The air circulates with more rhythm. The light shines brilliantly. The positive charge electrifies our subconscious. We are lifted to a perspective that offers clarity. Free of the clutter we left behind, our hearts beat a bit more in tempo with the song of peace, sweeping us up into its sweet melody where no obstacles stand stronger than we and no crevices exists for darkness to settle in and steal the joy of pure consciousness.
Are you ready to step into this joyful dance, too?
Here are 8 Strategies to Simplify
- Donate, sell, recycle, or trade items that don’t make you happy or healthy.
- Store items to open up space in your home.
- Clean up emails (make folders and place important emails in them)
- Place yourself on the do-not-mail list to remove unwanted promotional mailers
- Unsubscribe from newsletters that no longer serve you
- Say no to activities that no longer bring you joy
- Avoid negative people
- Exercise daily to clear your mind
Do you have ways to simplify that you’d like to add to this list?
