Simplicity.

Simplicity. Simple. Simplify.

It seems like simplifying is the new trend.

I'm one of the quirky ones that loves to organize, de-clutter and "simplify" my life.  I love the container aisle at the store.  Maybe it comes with the inevitable (and lovely) chaos of having four kids and apartment living.  Staying organized is both appealing and necessary for our sanity.  

I've been pondering simplicity lately as I've tried to organize certain areas of our lives.  Why is it when I try to make things simple it gets so complicated?

I think simplicity is more a matter of the heart, than a matter of organization.  Do I really want to simplify or do I just want to maintain and contain clutter?  Containing clutter will only go so far.  Less clutter in my life, (not just material clutter, but activity clutter and emotional clutter as well),  allows me to be more present in today.  It helps me embrace Life right now. Less distraction, more focus.

  

If I own only the clothes I need, I have less laundry to wash and put away, more space in the closet and it simplifies my choice in what to wear.  I don't think it's just about having the least amount of things as possible but not over indulging in what I have and what I do.

I'm no expert, my goal is to be more present in each moment.  I don't want to let these days slip by in piles of laundry, cleaning, organizing or rushing here and there.

This quote gave me a lot to think about...

"True simplicity consists not in the use of particular forms, but in foregoing over-indulgence, in maintaining humility of spirit, and in keeping the material surroundings of our lives directly serviceable to necessary ends, even though these surroundings may be properly characterized by grace, symmetry, and beauty."

~Book of Discipline of the Religious Society of Friends, Adopted by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1927 

via High Desert Home

Have you ever found that in the process of trying to simplify or control the clutter things get more complicated?  What in your life right now is screaming for simplicity?  

Meal planning is one area I've struggled with simplifying.  I love too cook and I love to cook new things every night and every week.  I could easily spend 2 hours sifting through Pinterest boards and old issues of Food Network Magazines meal planning for the next week and I enjoy it. But in this season of life I can't spend that amount of time meal planning.  So I'm choosing to simplify my meal planning, I'm not advocating giving up things you enjoy but right now I'm choosing to spend my time on other things I enjoy.  I've found some things that have worked well for me, although I took the long complicated route to get there. I will share more soon!