The Desperate Need for Simplicity

I recently took a reflective weekend and went up to Walden Pond in Massachusetts. Two days of quiet contemplation, in the woods and town that brought us so many influential writers: Thoreau, Emerson, Alcott, and Hawthorne.

The message you receive throughout that area is one of simplicity; Thoreau’s watchword. What has been a hot topic for many of my clients (and me) is that we often get so caught up in the way we “ought to be,” along with outrageous expectations that we put on ourselves. There is a pining for simplicity - perhaps due to a reflection of a simpler time, or at least a desire for a less complex day to day.

We are all overloaded. From tech changes (AI, ads, phone dings) to mental health challenges (stress, work, time management) to external problems (wars, climate change) to internal factors (a desire for some authentic purpose). It’s increasingly more difficult to keep up with Joneses, with many of us even asking if that’s a priority anymore.

Getting hit from so many angles has its impact on our psyche. Outside of mental health, we are stuck in a cognitive bogging down - with fatigue impacting our decision-making ability. We are all looking for that collective breath to catch up, gain back control and think about what priorities should really be there.

It’s important to remember that we CAN simplify. But, like anything worth doing, it takes intentionality and effort. On my reflective weekend, I was drawn to articulating what I really cared about, filtering through all of my priorities and highlighting the ones that really matter. From there, I was able to explore deeper. My “why.”

It wasn’t enough to say I care about my kids. I care about my kids being independent, well versed, well rounded. This extra level of focus is where intentionality and easier decision making can lie.

The kids example is a simple one, but the process is the same. There is plenty more to focus on from a simplification perspective - perhaps our physical environment (clean your office, your room, your whatever) and maybe our mental clutter as well.

It’s the end of the year - we use this time to reflect and plan. As we do so, it’s healthy to remember that we could all use a little cleaning as we prepare for 2024.