Simple Is Wise: Simplicity in Life Helps Us Thrive

Inside: Choosing simplicity in life requires mindful intention — it definitely won’t happen on it’s own in this ‘more and faster is better’ culture. 

A question I ask myself regularly is ‘how can I let this be simpler or easier?’

I’m wired for slow and simple and also it doesn’t take much to complicate my life. I sometimes forget to pause long enough between impulse and response and say yes to too many of my own shiny ideas. I chronically raise the bar on myself then catch myself and lower it once more. At times I resist the truth that my brain and my body are not always in alignment about my true energetic and emotional capacity in this season.

Also, if I’m not careful about whose voice I’m listening to, I can be impacted by the online business chatter that overwhelmingly pushes a ‘bigger and more is better mindset’. I continually remind myself of my values and vision and the truth that I need simplicity in life in order to thrive. It’s my responsibility to handcraft a life and business that feels like home to ME, not anyone else.

Many of us are healing through and beyond grief, trauma, burnout, or simply trying to find a soul-honouring way of being in the world. One of my somatic instructors taught me that we heal at the speed of safety. And I recently read something else I love (no idea where) about moving at the pace of our nervous system. This is what I choose for myself though it hasn’t always come easy. I choose to heal at the speed of safety and love myself well as I move at the pace of my nervous system. This is one of the powerful ways that simplicity, which most often involves slowing down and releasing urgency, helps us thrive.

Krista xo

simple is wise and can help us thrive

What this means is that to honour my need and desire for simplicity in life I’ve needed to adopt a very regular practice of checking in with myself. During these sessions I reflect, name what is and isn’t working well in my life (because we cannot change what we don’t first acknowledge). And then I take action to strip away the noise and clutter I’ve accumulated and simplify what’s left.

Physical clutter or stuff has never been my particular challenge but I still sift through my home, closet, and digital files seasonally to release what no longer serves me or my family. Where I most benefit as I simplify and recalibrate is in my calendar and commitments, my circle of impact and relationships, my mind, emotions, and body. I need to trust my strong and clear inner voice and move at the pace of my nervous system.

I want to live a values-aligned life that honours my wiring and capacity and I also want to make space for joy amid the messiness of my full, meaningful life.

Simple is wise.

for simplicity in life we need to:

• Slow down enough in order to hear our inner voice;
• Practice listening inward and quieting all the outside noise;
• Trust our inner leading and wisdom;
• Give ourselves permission to be who and how we are without judgment, comparison, or shame;
• Get clear on our core values and our life vision. (Or at least define what success and enough look, sound, and feel like for this season).

Sometimes we have to come to the end of ourselves to finally stop people-pleasing and sacrificing our own wants and needs to avoid inconveniencing others. When will you decide to live a life that is true to yourself? If not now then when?

Krista xo

reasons we May Need greater SIMPLICITY IN LIFE

Many of the people who come to my work seek greater simplicity in life. Whether this is our nature or not, many roads lead to this choice point. A handful of reasons include the following:

• We come to the end of ourselves in/beyond seasons of trauma, crisis or grief;
• Chronic illness or caregiving for someone who struggles with their mental or physical health;
• Aging or a significant life transition that comes with a need to slow down, reorient and recalibrate;
• General burnout and weariness after decades of bypassing our needs in under-boundaried service to others;
• A desire to finally own who we are, learn to honour our wiring, and live a life true that is true to ourself, regardless of age or life stage.

You Can thrive in life rather than simply surviving

If you know that your current pace and lifestyle are not sustainable you might feel ready to take imperfect action towards simplicity and more intention in your life. Here are some easy ways to get started:

• The Midlife Boundaries Workshop can help you shore up leaky boundaries and practice honouring your own wiring and reclaiming your voice.
• The Brave + Beautiful Community will help you learn to value yourself and fill yourself up so that you show up to your work, relationships, and overall life from a resourced place. Learn more.
• My Life Visioning Resources are offered to help you live on purpose, aligned with your core values, and honest about who you are and what you want and need for wholeness and joy. Life is messy and there’s much that is outside of our control but for a brave and beautiful life we must build strong roots of self-awareness and self-compassion, and practice consistent imperfect action (or choosing our response to life). 
• The Simplify + Recalibrate 5-Day Challenge is free and offers 5 days of inspiration and practical support to help you do this work. It’s running again December 2023! Join my email list so you know when it runs again.

Choosing simplicity in life requires mindful intention — it definitely won’t happen on it’s own in this ‘more and faster is better’ culture. Even when we’re committed to a slower, simpler, and soul-honouring way of being in the world, we must regularly check in to ensure we stay the course.

Krista xo