Three Ways to Simplify Your Life

Let me start with this: I'm not going to tell you to start saying "no" or to delete your entire social media presence or to cut off your toxic family member. I've done all those things and while it sure felt good, it didn't simplify my life. So, here are three realistic ways to simplify your life this season.

Intentional breathing

Stay with me here! No matter how full your calendar is or how much you have going on at work, you always have time for intentional breathing. If you are feeling overwhelmed, try this:

I do this while I'm driving, while I'm cooking supper, while I am filling out my planner, while I'm doing bookwork, while I'm giving my kid a bath. It would be nice to have a designated time and space in the morning or late evening to sit and meditate or pray to help regulate yourself, intentional breathing can be done anywhere anytime you need it.

Declutter

This one should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed me for any amount of time. When I say that decluttering has done more for me in the last year than almost any other habit, I'm not being dramatic. To put it plainly: less stuff equals less stress.

If you want tips on any decluttering project, check out these articles:

Start here

Bathroom

Closets

Kids Toys

Dump some rocks

In the book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver, she tells this story:

A man met God one day. God asked him to take a wagon with three stones to the top of the mountain. The man pulled the wagon behind him singing God's praises. As he went along, other people asked him to take their rocks with him until the wagon grew fuller and harder to pull. He stopped praising God and grew resentful. Frustrated, he imagined giving up and letting the wagon roll backward. God came to him and asked what was wrong. “You gave me a job that is too hard for me,” the man sobbed. God walked over to the wagon. “What is this?” He held up a big piece of shale and tossed it on the ground. The man explained about the others who asked him to bring their rocks up the mountain. God continued to unload the wagon, removing both light and heavy items until only the three stones God had given him were left in the wagon. “Let others shoulder their own belongings,” God said gently. “I know you were trying to help, but when you are weighted down with all these cares, you cannot do what I have asked of you."

Release the things in life that are weighing you down. Dump some rocks out of your wagon and carry only what God is calling you to carry.

Breathe...

Create a peaceful environment...

Get rid of the excess...

XO,

Courtney