Breathing & Less is More

We are a culture of searching for the best. We can go to Amazon and look at the reviews for items and choose the “best” one possible. We can go to Yelp and look for the best reviewed doctor, restaurant or anything. We are bombarded with choices and options and words and screens and noise – literally ALL DAY LONG.

There are many articles and books on simplifying your life. To be honest, I have had a struggle with actually over-complicating my life and my tasks. I would not call myself efficient necessarily or super organized. Yet, in this recent season of my life- I am enjoying finding ways to simplify. I’m not a minimalist yet. In fact, I can over-buy things. I am one to go to the grocery store and buy more olives and realize I already have two cans of olives at home. I also have this thing with making sure I don’t run out of toilet paper and paper towels. I’m not sure what I’m so afraid of with that. I’m might need to talk to a counselor about that. Ha!

This last summer, I moved back home to where I grew up in rural, Frankfort, Indiana. I left the busyness and hectic lifestyle of living in Washington state. In fact, the most recent place I lived was a town called Burlington, Washington and the house I lived in was right next to the interstate. I could literally hear the buzz of cars and people running to and fro on the freeway. Now, in Indiana – it is quiet. I sometimes hear crickets or birds or other creatures but it is mostly silent. I didn’t know how much my soul needed this.

Also, since I moved back, I haven’t hooked up Hulu or Netflix. So, when I watch television, I’m stuck with the sometimes limited choices on my a limited cable plan and a small television. This may not seem like a big deal but when I was married, my ex-husband had direct TV with every channel imaginable on a HUGE screen. Plus, shows could be recorded and he was a big series watcher. So, there was often a new show listed or a movie or show on the huge screen when I walked through the living room. I’m not making a judgment about using Netflix or Hulu or watching interesting shows. Nevertheless, for me, it is a relief to have limited choices available and to also turn the screens off more. He also loved to watch the news fairly often- morning and night and I am enjoying not having the news on so often. I want to be informed but I don’t think it is healthy for me to constantly hear bad news blaring.

I just got a Mental Health Counseling position at a nearby town and my commute is 20 minutes through the countryside and it isn’t bad at all. When I lived in Washington, I often commuted 40 minutes or more on the interstate to get anywhere. I’m enjoying the slower pace of life. I may move to a different city some point and to a busier area but for now, it is like taking a deep and very needed exhale.

I am also working a flexible schedule which if you know me, you know I love that! I like to have freedom to organize my days and not feel constrained to an eight to five work day. It isn’t that I don’t like to work. I just like the freedom to work later in the day or have a little breathing room within the day.

Also, I just decided to start going to a chiropractor that I can literally walk to from my counseling office-it is right across the street! I’m so happy about this because I have driven many miles at times to see health care providers and to find the “best” in the area not caring if it is an hour away. I’m reaching a point where I am excited to walk across the street rather than jump in a car and fight traffic to get somewhere.

My prayers these days are often about simplification. “Lord, please simplify my life. Help me to streamline and not over-complicate.”

For some reason, a lot of my life, I have leaned towards the complicated- towards the challenging situations. I’ve moved. I’ve adjusted. I’ve moved. I’ve adjusted. Now, maybe it’s age or wisdom, I’m ready for a massive simplification. I can find excitement elsewhere.

So, when I’m annoyed by the lack of options and stores in Frankfort, there are also moments of thankfulness that it means that I need to use and appreciate what is available rather than always be looking for the best and most perfect options.

How about you? How does this speak to you? I’d love to hear your stories.

Also, here is an article on becoming minimalist:
http://www.becomingminimalist.com/the-10-most-important-things-to-simplify-in-your-life/