Views of Simplicity
Simplicity for any individual is defined to a great extent by personality and temperament. An individual’s upbringing also has an impact as does individual interest. What one person finds relaxing, another may see it as complicated or even stressful.
Clothing is one example. Years ago, I found myself constantly frustrated with trying to decide what to wear each day. Then I noticed I only wore about 20% of the clothing I owned anyway. So, I whittled my wardrobe down by over 40% and have a simple style with narrow variety. In contrast, I have friends who love to try new trends and constantly mix up their wardrobes. They like to express themselves through their clothing.
Simplicity also pursues people in unique ways. For instance, significant foot (nerve entrapment) and back (slipped discs and spinal stenosis) problems along with Piriformis Syndrome limited my shoe options to only a few pair for a long time. The limit came not from simple obedience to the doctor, either. The severe foot and ankle pain gave me the option of either wearing only those few pairs of shoes or not being able to walk. This is not a simplicity I planned or pursued, but it found me and insisted I pay attention.
Small Steps
Simplicity does not happen in a person’s life through any one major event or leap. Rather, there exist a multitude of small changes and adjustments that together add up for big change to create a simpler life.
The combination of elements that created my simple life will look like no one else’s. The principles for achieving a simple life, however, are essentially the same for everyone. A simple life begins with one small step toward a simple life, and it is built by many additional small decisions to keep pursuing simplicity.
Loren Pinilis
I pretty much try to stay simple except in a few areas where I indulge. I have a pretty simple wardrobe, pretty simple shoes (as a guy that's the norm, I guess), pretty simple car, pretty simple furniture, pretty simple just about everything. But I indulge on books – and as a geeky hobby, board games, haha.
A strange area of simplicity for me is how I really don't pay attention to the news. I don't really keep up with sports or politics or anything like that. I used to, but it just lost my interest. I figured there were better uses of my time.
Kari Scare
Funny, but you kind of sound like me, though I arrived at the simple wardrobe and shoes for different reasons. And, the indulging in books I totally get. That's definitely one of my indulgences. Board games are cool because they usually require interaction with others. I like that indulgence. And, believe it or not, I don't pay attention to the news either. It's just depressing and only going to get worse. I just like knowing God wins in the end. I'm good with that. Definitely better ways to spend your time than with the news. Simplicity is really just a way to focus on what truly matters.
Sonya Lee Thompson
Great thoughts on keeping it simple. I choose not to do much decorating during the holidays. I just find it too difficult to ad into my already busy life. My sister-in-law decorates for every occasion and I love visiting her home, but it works for her. Being careful to follow God's lead in your own life, and accepting the grace needed to be true to who you are is the key for me.
Kari Scare
I hadn't really even considered the holidays in this, and it is a really good example of people's differences. I wonder how many people decorate based on habit or obligation rather than on what fits their style and view of simplicity. Wonder how many people make it more complicated than they like.
Angie
Simple is so much easier. I try really hard to make things as simple as possible. One thing that helps is a schedule. I find that keeping to a "same schedule" every day makes everything much simpler. Knowing what I am doing when helps to keep my life very uncomplicated – especially when it comes to the kids. They know when bath time and bed time happen. It is the same every day. It does not matter if it is a weekend or not. This helps to keep the girls on track and aids in limiting arguments, etc. Simplicity is what we should all be striving for – and for all – it is different.
Kari Scare
You make a good point with keeping a schedule. Having one provides a much-needed stability. When life gets crazy, this stability helps keep it from getting overwhelming. As you know, flexibility is often necessary, but it's much easier when there's a stable base.
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Barb
I love these posts on simplicity, Kari. I had to laugh when you talked about simplifying your wardrobe. I don't like decisions so often when I wake up, I see what I wore yesterday and I think, "Well, it worked yesterday, I might as well wear it today," and I put the same outfit on. I should really get rid of all those clothes in the closet I don't wear though. Also, I was very intrigued by Angie's idea of the same schedule every day. I'm not a scheduled person by nature but I'll have to give some thought to that.
Kari Scare
I've been known to wear an outfit two days in a row two. Comfort just wins out. I think I'm just going to get multiples of what I love and go with that. I'll get different colors though, so it's less obvious.We kind of have a same schedule approach like Angie, and it works very well. We have to deviate from it sometimes, but having the framework really helps keep life simple for us. Giving away clothes was a lot of fun for me. I was able to bless some people who didn't have much, and I enjoyed that.
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