as the new year is right around the corner, i have been thinking about some things i want to change for the upcoming months and why i feel called to strive for more simplicity in 2021. i know all the rage recently has been about minimalism, and I'll admit, i'm into it—it's definitely my favorite kind of style and aesthetic. however, as i begin to dig deeper into the concept of being a 'minimalist' and see what the Bible has to say about how we should live, i've found this is something I definitely want to maintain in my life.
as a Christian, i am called to live a life of simplicity and thankfulness, and knowing this, i want to start (and continue) to simplify my life in all areas. leading a simple life has more to do than just getting rid of things, although that can definitely play a part in it. it also plays a role in our thoughts and how we live our lives every single day.
there are specifically three areas where i want to see a change in my own life as i continue to strive toward a more simple way of life, allowing me to focus on the things that really matter. in no way will i ever be perfect, and it will look different for everyone, but every stride in the right direction is positive movement towards in the right direction, which to me, is worth it.
1. we are saving up treasure, either for this temporary life or our future eternal life.
where are we saving our treasure? i think it becomes easy for those of us living in first world countries to be captivated—and even consumed—by material things (guilty of this) and things of this world, whether it be clothing, cars, fame, popularity, status, success, food, number of followers/likes on social media, comfort... the list goes on. every day, we have the choice to ultimately store treasures for ourselves in this world or store treasures in heaven. the beautiful mystery of it all is that God offers a treasure to us that will last forever: a relationship with Jesus. and that, my friends, is amazing; there is nothing worth more than knowing Jesus.
2. we are called to be content.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content... for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." I Timothy 6:6-10 (emphasis added)
"Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15 ESV (emphasis added)
both of these verses point to many things, but ultimately, it calls us to be content with what we have been blessed with. there is much to be said about someone who is content with what they have. our lives shouldn't revolve around wanting more and more, for that is not why we are here on this earth. our main goal should be to bring glory and honor to God in everything we do. (Matthew 28:18-20) but how can we do these things if we are caught up in always wanting more? and more? let us be content with what we have been given, keeping the focus on Christ and not on possessions.
3. we are called to be thankful.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:9 ESV (emphasis added)
when we have an attitude of gratitude, our perspectives are shifted from self to others. we become more focused on the blessings God has given us, rather than on the things we don't have. let us ask God to reveal these idols in our hearts, the ones that have captured our attention away from Christ, and repent. may we be captivated by Jesus as the new year comes, with all its anticipation and excitement. may we strive to live simpler. it's a process, and definitely doesn't happen overnight, but i think as we realign our perspectives, the easier we can let go of the clutter and things that overtake our homes and hearts. (i wrote this post about simplifying 10 specific areas of your life that might help if you need a place to start.)
◠ because companies are sneaky. unfortunately, grocers and stores these days are fiiiilled with everyday products that are marketed to be clean, pure, organic, or botanical, but the ingredients inside would say otherwise. this is called 'greenwashing'—when marketing companies use strategic design (little green leaves, lavender stems, sun rays, ect.) in the branding to make them look natural, but they are actually still filled with subtle & hidden toxic chemicals. this is why it is so important to research the companies you are buying from!
◠ because it’s a health investment. it’s much easier (and better) to keep my body above that wellness line and take preventative measures now, rather than wait and try to fight illnesses when they would come down the road. i'm all about taking preventative measures for myself and my future family instead of waiting for sickness to come.
◠ because there is peace of mind. after doing research, i know that the products i’m bringing into my home are actually clean, plant-based, and pure. i can use them around myself, family, and friends without the fear that unnecessary toxic chemicals are seeping into my home and health.
2. it cleans everything. like, every single surface in (or outside) the house. from the toilet to the oven to the windows to the carpet to the car to the kitchen table. it even gets wrinkles out of your clothes!
3. it keeps me above the wellness line with its plant-based, oil-infused ingredients. (fun fact: the infused essential oil blend of cinnamon, rosemary, thieves, eucalyptus, lemon, and clove add extra *oomph* to the cleaning properties & double as a really great immune boost for the body. i can clean my home AND boost my immune system at the same time? #winwin. )
4. it gives me peace of mind. when you have a cabinet full of all sorts of cleaners that smell like synthetic fragrances and give you chronic headaches, you can prooobably guess they are doing more harm than good for you, which is so sad because I feel like most of us are just trying to clean our homes in the best way possible so we DON’T get sick. this is why i use and love thieves—i trust young living's seed to seal promise and their integrity to not cut corners or compromise the health of their customers. i know i am investing in my own (and my future family's) health right now and for the future, which is incredibly comforting and empowering.
5. it’s inexpensive. when you break it down, each 16oz. bottle like the one above costs about $1.60. and for an all-natural cleaner?? yep, just the best out there. (for perspective, my one bottle of concentrate has lasted me over a year and it’s still not gone.)
here are my most common (and favorite) ways to use my thieves concentrate:
"the point of simple living: a soft place to land,
a wide margin of error, room to breathe."
leo babauta
personal
after a while, it can become easy to let clothes and accessories that you don't *absolutely* love collect dust in the closet. from the change in seasons, growing out of old clothes, fit, styles, or simply forgetting what's there, it is time to sift, sort, and organize. one thing that helps me when simplifying is to put my clothing into categories (workout, loungewear, outerwear, casual, business) and then go through each item i have in those categories, only keeping what i absolutely love/need.
now is the perfect time to go through all of those old/unused products you no longer use.
life
4. update/re-purpose existing items (instead of buying new)
5. discontinue unused services (magazines, newspapers, home phone, netflix...)
6. if you haven't already, create a realistic budget/emergency savings (for peace of mind + frugal spending)
4. spaces
↓ ↓ ↓
things to simplify:
1. tables, counters, junk drawers, bulletin boards (clear 'em off + organize)
2. basement/attic/closets (sort through, organize, give away, throw out, recycle)
3. old magazines, newspapers, books (sort through, organize, give away, throw out, recycle)
5. meals
↓ ↓ ↓
things to remember:
1. buy from your local farmers market (it'll be cheaper + healthier, guaranteed)
2. only buy what you need (aka stick to the list)
3. plan what meals to eat weekly/biweekly (to save time + energy)
4. meal prep your planned meals for the week (to save time + energy)
5. make a recipe book or box of your favorite/go-to meals (for easy access)
6. drink more water (it's good for ya)
7. use reusable bags when buying groceries
tip: don't go grocery shopping when you are hungry, or you'll most likely buy waaay more than what you need.
technology
↓ ↓ ↓
things to simplify:
1. photos (save + organize or delete)
2. documents (save + organize or delete)
3. unnecessary files (delete, repeat)
4. save files to the cloud or an external hard drive
5. delete unwanted bookmarks/saved pages
6. organize wanted bookmarks/saved pages
7. delete unwanted emails (and unsubscribe from them while you're at it)
8. delete, update, + organize music playlists
7. social
↓ ↓ ↓
things to simplify:
1. unfollow/unfriend (it's not personal, don't overthink it!)
2. delete apps (those that are unnecessary or taking up space)
3. set aside time to stay off the media (to keep a clear mind + refocus on the present)
4. delete old text messages (that are taking up space)
self
↓ ↓ ↓
things to do:
1. write down 5 accomplishments of the year (and the steps it took you to succeed them)
2. write down 5 lessons learned or areas of growth of the year (and your takeaways from them)
any goal that does not have a plan behind it
↓ ↓ ↓
things to do:
1. buy/make a planner, schedule, or calendar
2. plan coffee dates to connect with friends (write down actual dates!)
3. write down upcoming events/appointments/meetings
4. set phone alerts/reminders for said upcoming events/appointments/meetings
↓ ↓ ↓
things to do:
1. write your goals down! (and put the list somewhere visible)
2. share your goals with others (get them excited about it too)
3. have accountability partners (who can help you stay on track)
4. give yourself grace (it's not about perfection, but progression)
"there is beauty in simplicity."
the leaves have slowly started to change from lush greens to golden yellows & rusty reds, creating firey patterns alongside the highways and lonesome country roads. the air, nostalgic of rainy afternoons and musty leather, has just a hint of chill. i'm often drawn to reach for my favorite, oversized sweater that i've had for years and refuse to retire, just yet. the crockpot cooks most dinners these days, filling the room with savory aromas and all the best, cozy feels.
the s l o w n e s s of the early, morning hours when the world is still sleeping, when every movement and sound is its own kind of magic. frosty mornings are accompanied with lingering fog and dewy grass that glistens in the soft sunlight. the pitter-patter of rain from a late morning storm creates kaleidoscope patterns on my car windshield. the evening hours are here sooner, with shadows that dance across the walls as the last rays of sun disappear beyond the horizon line, leaving painted streaks of colors fading into the sky.
my fingers gravitate towards thoughtlessly scrolling through social media—the grand highlights of others' lives; my calendar fills with to-dos, zoom calls, meetings, appointments; my days span from sunrise to after dark, and even then, can i squeeze 6? 7? hours of sleep in for the night? but my mind stays awake, already racing towards the happenings of tomorrow.
it's come to a point where i've realized how i've been running full-steam ahead without stopping to smell the roses. i've been hustling towards so many things that i have forgotten to enjoy this season i'm in. currently. right now. but it's ok (and much, much needed) to slow down.
it's ok to quiet the noise of other people's lives on the internet.
it's ok to leave some open space in my schedule.
tomorrow will come, today is what we've been given—let's really savor these moments. let's take time to rest, to lean into the changing of the season, and feel that shift in ourselves too. are you in tune with this season of life, with ears and eyes open to what you can learn? how you can grow? what you might be missing?
i don't know about you, but for me, i'm striving for a slower pace, for intentionality, for a mindset of gratitude. i want to be more attentive to small details and simple beauties. i'd love to start reading more and spending time outdoors and grabbing coffee with friends, just because.
even if i can make a few small adjustments to my days, that's at least a start, i'm willing to try.
——
below: a few thoughts on how to be mindful in slowing down and soaking up our everyday:
1. limit time on your phone
it happened just this past week; a sudden realization.
simmering for days—weeks, probably. it finally bubbled to the surface, enough that i felt a pretty sharp shift inside which caused me to pause. and think. and evaluate where the heck this is coming from, what i'm actually feeling, and why. i tend to feel a lot of things, a lot of the time (just your typical enneagram 4) but this was somewhat different. it was something that was almost familiar, vaguely recognizable, but also new and raw and a bit too heavy to ignore. it's taken me some time to collect my thoughts, but i think i'm beginning to narrow it down to this:
"there is much discontentment to be found in the comparison of this current season of life to another's; there's a loss of joy in the frantic rush to always be doing more, better, faster."
i'm sure, this is not a new concept, but i'm beginning to feel it's an all too subtle thing that sneaks up behind us when we least expect it to; i hardly even noticed it was happening before my eyes.
don't get me wrong though—i really do love all the things i've been working on up until this point. i've been discovering more about how i'm wired, what my passions are, and using my gifts & talents as a catalyst for things to come, someday, which i absolutely love.
but what i'm realizing? i've slowly started to trade my authentic approach to creativity for checking off boxes & to-do lists; exchanging the gift of creating—simply for the joy of it—for curating the 'perfect' feed or coming up with just the right caption to *hopefully* drive more sales or gain more followers or finally get 100 likes or—does this sound silly of me when you read it out loud, in your head? am i the only one?
i think truthfully, that's where so many of us are. whether you have your own business or blog or simply your own corner of the interwebs, it can be far too easy for our gaze to wander. we start looking to the left and to the right, feeling the inner pull to get ahead of the person next to us. and so we hustle, hard. we put our nose to the grindstone and start sprinting towards our finish line, not stopping until we 'reach the top' or 'get x amount of followers' or can afford that beautiful new house or car or ____ too, because then, THEN i will have "arrived."
no, there has to be more to life than that.
& in all honestly, i don't want to be in that lane. i don't want to outrun the crowd, carrying the weight of my days on my shoulders, heavy with the pressure to always be striving for that next thing in life that i miss the extraordinary beauty right here, right now, right in front of me. this isn't to say i now have no more goals or am quitting everything i have started—absolutely not. but i do think small changes, adjustments of sorts, are much needed—even if that means re-prioritizing the use of my time and energy and headspace i have in this specific season. i still think hustle has a time and place, but even so, it must be met with such caution and structure and grace (upon grace.)
"i don't want to outrun the crowd, carrying the weight of my days on my shoulders, heavy with the pressure to always be striving for that next thing in life that i miss the extraordinary beauty right here, right now, right in front of me."
let's get back to creating just for fun, ok? to falling in love with our everyday, mundane moments (that are actually really uniquely beautiful.) go ahead, post that picture you snapped that's maybe a little sideways, a little blurry but oh, how you love it anyways and want to remember that exact moment, just as it was. put away technology for once (oof, this one is for me) and go outside—look up. notice how the cotton clouds change so fast yet so slow. feel the warm, glowing sun on your skin, the way it shines brilliantly through the trees. listen to the hundred little bird songs far up above and notice, wasn't that a blue jay that just passed by?
maybe this post was really just for my own brain and heart to fully soak in, to lay it all out in the open—vulnerable and raw and real so i can start to reevaluate where to go from here. but hopefully, if you made it this far, you can find yourself somewhere in here too; in the push & pull of your own hours and days and what does that look like for you? are you truly content, in this season? what are you striving for? how are you feeling, actually? how do you spend you hours each day? what should needs to change? (truthfully, i'm just asking myself these things over & over.)
let us not go through our seasons of life without savoring each and every moment. soak it all in—even the smallest details. work hard? absolutely. but also stop and smell the roses too. take a day or night off, without guilt. build in the time for the much-needed heart and soul work, for we are all walking works-in-progress. share conversations and cups of coffee with a dear friend. dance in your kitchen as you make saturday morning pancakes, just because. (don't even bother to document it online—be completely present this time.)
do something that makes your soul feel alive.
if you need some inspiration, here are a few ideas:
- read a book! a magazine! a newspaper! (the paper kinds, not digital)
- take a daily walk around your neighborhood
- learn to play the guitar or ukelele, just for fun
- make a list of friends you've been wanting to see (contact 2 of them right now)
- paint, draw, watercolor, scrapbook, cook, bake, sew—do anything creative
- visit your local bookstore or thrift shop or park
- do a 30-minute workout (cardio, HIIT, weightlifting—just move your body!)
- go to bed early & set up a consistent sleep structure
- go drink 16oz. of water right now (and a few more later too)
- have a few friends over for a movie or game night
- write out or journal your recent thoughts, prayers, or reflections
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