Our life is frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.
Henry David Thoreau
If you were to listen to the voice of my inner critic you would often hear me saying to myself “Keep it simple, st*pid”. Lately, I have been on a journey of discovery around the way I speak to myself. It has been a lighter journey than what it sounds because I have been simply employing the tactic of being more curious.
Simplicity seems like an easy task, however, I often find as life gets full and at times complex, there is nothing better than hitting “Pause” and “Reset” if need be. My goal has been to unpack the weights and hindrances that join me on my journey. To simplify my inner world and to shut down the dance between the cynic and the optimist inside.
Curiosity; is defined as a “strong desire to learn or know something” and I have been on a journey of discovery around my inner critic and the way I speak to myself. Rather than shaming myself per say by this critical fellow that dances around inside, I have been sitting uncomfortably and noticing him/ her/ it.
When I get dressed in the morning. “Hmmm, still carrying those kilos hey?”
Listen, smile and acknowledge = Curiosity.
When I stand up in front of a crowd and then debrief myself afterwards on the way home “Why did you say that?”
Listen, smile and acknowledge = Curiosity.
When I feel anger rising inside my heart “Suppress those feelings, they are not helpful!”
Listen, smile and acknowledge = Curiosity.
Simplicity has become the war cry of our generation. Just simplify your wardrobe, your belongings and your life and you will feel so much better. Minimalism has been a trend that has captured the millennial heart, however, it must go much deeper than just getting rid of our stuff.
See I thought if I got rid of all my stuff that I would be happier. And in some ways, the buzz helped for a little while, but it just meant the person I truly am resounded louder around the simplicity of an empty room. The greatest disappointment that I felt, was if I used this formula of simplifying my outer world that my inner world would follow.
Every man and his grandma have been letting go of the junk, tea sets and extra blankets. Everything meaningless that they have been travelling the last decade with. But unless we unpack the deeper story of why we have been carrying the baggage, we will slowly accumulate another spare room and storage unit full of extra things, just in case we need them tomorrow.
Minimalism isn’t about your stuff; it’s about your soul- the “you” underneath all of the stuff.
Lisa Avellan
Simplicity, my inner critic and my outer world all walk hand in hand.
You cannot seek change in one and not think it is going to impact the other.
You cannot declutter your house, without aiming to declutter your soul and that is where the dissonance begins.
I keep on thinking if I just employ a formula, that the initial buzz of making a change, will last into the season I am walking into.
So, Mr Thoreau, I am trying to “Simplify, simplify, simplify” but I am realising the real work begins when I continue to unpack the deeper reason why my life encircles itself often and the person I am left staring at is myself.
To all those Mummas, Daughters, Friends, Sisters, Aunties and Kin working hard as we move towards Spring to find peace in the midst of the madness. May I offer one little piece of advice, in the ever blooming over stimulation of opinion in this online space.
Rather than keep it simple st*pid, what about keep it, curious babe!
Rather than shaming yourself into doing what everyone else is doing, maybe take the time to listen, smile and acknowledge what is happening in your world and lean in towards the wisdom that is found inside.
Happy Nearly Spring Kin folk
I cannot wait, to keep moving forward into my greater tomorrow.
Thank you for helping me realise that i am just human, that i will always be learning, curious and thus hopefully growing and improving.
‘Keep it curious, babe,’ love this ❤️
Yes, the clutter can keep us from moving on but it’s also a reminder of where we have come from – to paraphrase Abraham ‘we leave those altars’ but can look back at points of pain, grace and growth.