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Life has its ways of getting complicated. Suddenly, what started out as a simple chore or endeavor has now grown colossal and seems to be taking over your life. There are ways to keep it simple.
All of us live with intentions and desires that, just like children, all vye for our attention. Too often, we want to conquer the world and be the perfectionist we always dreamed we could be.
There’s just one problem with that . . .
There is no perfection in this life. And that’s where the messiness comes in. Instead of trying to do what is in front of us, we like to take on too many other things and make a mess out of what could be simple enough.
Yes, I understand how crazy life can be. I’m well past those child-rearing years, but I remember well how complicated a day could be. Getting your kids up ready for school, going to a full-time job, taking night classes at the local four-year college, and taxiing my kids to games, Scouts, dancing school, and friends’ houses, was a full-time job in itself.
There are days when nothing goes right. The car won’t start, your checking account goes into the red, you are called to your child’s school for who knows what, your washing machine quits working, you lose your job, or worse.
Then there were the holidays and all of the decorating, cooking, baking and entertaining that went with them. Those were the days before smartphones, online shopping and Amazon. Just trying to coordinate everything on your to-do lists makes your head feel like it wants to explode. This is when you feel a long way from simple.
“It is the sweet, simple things of life, that are the real ones after all.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder
So why PJs at 5? Well, I don’t do that, but my 5-year old grand daughter Marisa loves to change into her PJs at 5. She does this just about every day because she loves her routines. Putting on her PJs just makes her feel totally at home. Then it’s on to playing with her dolls and all her toys until bedtime. This little girl knows how to keep it simple.
And you know what? That’s a fine idea those routines we have. Just don’t let them become so out of control you feel like your life is on some kind of an elevator — going down fast.
Here are 7 ways to be steeped in simple:
Learn to say ‘no’. No one can do everything. That is the biggest lie told to the modern woman; that she can have it all. No one can have it all and you are setting yourself up for a life of MISERY if you subscribe to this mindset. If you just can’t do something, say so. Don’t feel guilty about it. Just say no, not at this time.
Keep the TV off. It’s not important to catch every show on Netflix or watch that rerun again. Exactly why am I looking at Facebook again? There are 24 hours in everyone’s day and when you text, take selfies, or just play around all day on your phone, and record too many TV shows to watch later, a lot of nothing gets done. Put down your tablet, phone or laptop, and don’t watch TV so much either.
Understand that people are far from perfect. That goes for all of us. Yet, certain people get up every day and like to blame the world for all of their problems. Don’t let them get to you. Unless they want to change themselves, you will never do it, so step aside and deal with them minimally.
Be good to YOU. Learn to be gentle with yourself. We often are our own worst critic. If a situation or a conversation didn’t turn out the way you thought it would, let it go. There may be another time to set it straight, or not. Let it go, leave it be and don’t always take the blame, unless of course, you were at fault. Learn to take time for just you once in a while. Go shopping alone, buy a special coffee, call your best friend, or just sit quietly.
Craft a life steeped in simple things. Sit on your porch and just listen. Don’t bring your phone with you; just be still. There are so many ways to enjoy the little moments in a day and it’s up to you to seek them out and to appreciate them when they are right in front of you. Since my illness I cherish the time I spend with my grand daughters. Playing with my dogs is more added fun. Quietly reading, knitting or sitting while praying, makes it so much easier to get to the heart of that very moment. It won’t come again and it won’t last forever, so treasure what is yours.
Scatter kindness. I have a little sign in my house that says just that. We need to practice kindness, even when we don’t feel like doing it. Kindness leads to gentleness and if you haven’t been feeling particularly gentle these days, paying attention to being kind will definitely help you.
Learn a craft. This one I particularly love. One of the most fulfilling things anyone can do is to work with their hands. There are many, many ways to do that. Just think electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, weavers, potters, bakers, chefs, jewelry makers, florists, basket makers, needlepointers, crocheters and my favorite,
knitting
So, give these 7 ways to BE SIMPLE a look-see or try one or two out for yourself. Life goes by every day and unless you really take the time to STOP and notice it, there will come a day when you will regret it.
Don’t let all of your life be consumed with electronics. They help where they have to, but there are many other things waiting for you. Could be some PJs at 5.
Go find out what they are!
Just another way to
“Homekeeping solutions for knitting your best life!”
