I know. This is SO not a picture of simplicity. It is quite the opposite. But Elvis and his junky flea market entourage were just begging to make a cameo in the post. |
I love the idea of resolutions. A new year provides the perfect opportunity for start-overs, makeovers, and do-overs. Whether you’re a resolution-ish person or not, I think most of us crave an invitation to embark on an adventure in change.
Fresh starts and clean slates, whether an everyday new morning or a crazy new opportunity, have a way of refocusing and revitalizing our tired and mired-down selves.
This year I didn’t make any formal resolutions. Oh I have a few loose plans and goals but I don’t want to be held hostage to them. Instead I came up with a word that encompasses all the {loosely-held} goals I have swimming around in my head.
Simplicity.
As I mentally surveyed the tasks and changes I hope to work out in this new year, I realized that they all fall under the umbrella of life lived more simply.
So I thought I’d spend the next few posts running with this theme. I hope to talk about the ways in which simple living is being cultivated in the everyday, how it’s affecting everything from home to motherhood, from making rest a priority to how I think about God.
There are lots of simple gurus out there. I’m not one of them. I’m just an average woman who’s been through a year {many years actually} of too much.
I’d like to change that. {Get thee behind me, flea-market Elvis.}
So I’m letting go, paring down, sitting still, and making space in the overcrowded margins of my life. And I look forward to sharing my hopes and adventures with you.
So what about you? Any plans to simplify in 2012?
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Pine Tree Home says
I am so into simplifying this year. In fact, I posted about this too last night. I can’t wait to jump back and take it easy, say no once in a while and delete a little.
Erica says
Funny you wrote about this today. We spent the majority of yesterday cleaning out and simplifying our basement and side porch closet. After removing a huge pile to the curb and another to be taken to donate, I love the open spaces and walking through it without all the clutter.
Less clutter in my space = less clutter in my brain = simplify.
For me anyway!
Plainfield Mom says
Just started reading the book – 7 an experimental mutiny against excess by Jen Hatmaker. It talks about too much – food, clothes, possessions, media, waste, spending and stress. Should be an interesting read.
Richella says
Have you ever read Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster? Richard was simple when simple wasn’t cool. Real food for thought!