Last week I shared my three themes for 2012 – Simplicity, Creativity, and Bravery. Today I’m going to expound a little more on the first – which is really the foundation for the others.
For me, Simplicity means taking some time to be still, to unplug for a little while and reconnect with reality, and to sift out unnecessaries in my life to make more time for the important stuff, and also the fun stuff!
I was really inspired by this post on Jess’s blog, and I had been thinking for the last few months of the year about the intentions and motivations behind my daily routine. To cut to the chase without all the philosophizing, here are some changes I want to make to foster more simplicity in my life:
UNPLUG: Less screen time, more face time. No phone/computer/email/TV (etc) in the morning before work, or in the evening 30 minutes before bedtime. I work at a computer, so I just spend way too much time in my day looking at a screen.
PURGE: Mentally and physically. I want to spend more time running and doing yoga – things that energize me as well as help me clear my head and refocus. I’m also taking Jess’s challenge to get rid of 100 things – I want to be surrounded by things I love, use and need. No more clutter in my head or my house, please.
WAIT: Pray, dream, play piano, listen, journal – spend time doing the things that help me to slow down and be intentional and remember what’s important in my life.
I think my next two themes, Creativity and Bravery, are going to make 2012 one of the most exciting years yet – and I really do believe that having this foundation of Simplicity is going to make both of those easier to accomplish. Because when I make time for a little empty space, it helps me shift my focus from the stresses of everyday life back to the One who has put big dreams in my heart, and has promised peace beyond understanding – even in the midst of life’s craziest adventures.
Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
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I really love this! I think I’m going to have to steal some of your ideas. 🙂
Thank you! I’ll let you have them for free 😉
It is so wonderful to read about your intentions – I love them all and each of them strikes home with me too. : )
I will say that the intention post you linked to for me actually ended up being a good/bad thing for me since I then set out to make my life “perfect” all at once (despite my own efforts to resist the temptation). But it sounds like you have a much gentler approach and I am inspired by you!
Thanks! I have definitely done that before and ended up super stressed – but I wanted this year to feel different, so I’m trying to change my methods a little bit 🙂 Your blog has been SO helpful in making these decisions!
[…] so we’re still talking resolutions and my three themes for 2012. Last week, I shared about Simplicity, and this week we’re looking at theme […]
giving the fact that my yesterday and today is really bad and stressful. reading this post is kind of what I need.
I will favorite it to come back and read it later on, I must say I really need to consider many of ideas or thoughts you mentioned.
[…] tell me you have given up already?) and my three themes for 2012. I’ve already talked about Simplicity and Creativity – so here comes the last (and scariest!) […]
Thanks for this lovely post. I went through some of this lately as I packed up my life in Brisbane and set off for nine months in Europe. The plan is to slow down, spend more time dreaming and learning, and to embrace a more creative approach to life. Really enjoying your blog.
Thank you so much! I am jealous of your adventures, as Europe is one of my favorite places on Earth – I’m sure it will be a wonderful place to dream. Have a wonderful time 🙂