Sometimes we need to step back and seriously think about what we’re doing. And that’s what I’ve done here with Simplicity Relished.
You see, when I wrote last month that I would be blogging less than usual, it was in part because I felt unsure about what exactly I was so committed to. So I’ve given it all some thought. I’ve given my own life some thought.
If I were to take a cross-section of my mind and show it to you, here’s what it would look like. Lots of ideas. Lots of fear. Lots of pressure. Lots of wants. Lots of images of what I can be and hope to be.
Lots of pride.
And so, I’ve felt convicted. Yes, this blog has always had a touch of minimalism and simplicity to it– but I don’t know that I’ve truly committed myself to all that, until now.
My journey towards minimalism goes beyond capsule wardrobes, real food and community building, though it is certainly all those things and I’ll be writing about them. But more than these projects is the need to quiet myself and to be okay with quietness.
I’ve realized lately how tempting it is to strive for all things high-profile. Can you relate to this? As bloggers, we always want more followers. As professionals, we’re always looking for recognition or promotions, Even as members of our family, we seek ways to stand out above the rest, or to be everything to everyone.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve tripped and fallen into the “excellence” trap. Many, many times.
So the challenge of living small and living quietly is a hard one. And I’m not talking about being unpopular or not achieving great things– quite the contrary.
What I mean is, I could use some peace. I could use some space. I could use some freedom. And I could definitely use some humility.
This is a blog about minimalism and the humbling journey of stripping away excess.
This is about owning less.
This is about doing less.
This is about thinking of myself, my desires, my image, and my accomplishments less.
In all of this “less,” I hope to find more. More enjoyment. More meaning. More gratitude. More freedom. More peace.
There is a great work to be done in my heart. That work is to slough off the scales of self-pressure, envy, perfectionism, and image-driven vanity. It is to wash away my endless need for new things, and instead to quench that need with generosity and grace.
It’s not new things that I need. What I need is to be made new.
I desire to learn to live in contentment and peace. A quiet life. A simple life. A life that does not merely boast of accolades and acquisitions. A life that is not just a long résumé designed to impress and intimidate.
And do I know exactly how to get there? No.
But I do know that the beginning of wisdom is when we cast ourselves aside and actually listen. And I hope you’ll join me on this journey towards becoming that person, building that life.
Simplify with me. Minimize with me. Let’s come alive to what matters more.
I absolutely will!
So glad to hear that Brittany, and it means so much to me. Simplicity can go as far as we allow it to, and that’s a good thing! 🙂 I hope you continue reading, I look forward to staying in touch!
Ah thanks girl!!
Thank you so much Rachel! That really means a lot to me. <3
This resonates with me so deeply right now! About a year ago, I started the process of purging and simplifying my possessions, but as I did so I discovered the simplicity is a journey that goes so far beyond my stuff. It’s about prioritizing what really matters: how I spend my time, what I do with my passions, how I love people, how I spend money, etc. Thanks for the inspiration! I am really looking forward to following you on this journey.
Oh my gosh, this is SO beautifully written! <3
Beautiful post, thank you for sharing! I love to read about your journey, it gets me to thinking about my own, it’s inspiring.
<3
I love that, Valerie. Thanks so much for reading, I really appreciate it 🙂
Daisy, your reflections are so relevant to so many of us. It reminds me of something I heard recently “you are enough, you have enough, you do enough.” I feel like we can’t meditate on these truths enough. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Rachel!
Thank you so much Renee! That means a lot.
Thank you so much Hannah, that means a ton to me, especially coming from you!
Thank you so much Emily, that is so kind of you.
Thanks Shauna!!
Thank you so much Laura! So glad to have you following along on this journey 🙂
Yes absolutely, you said it right! It’s not about being lazy or just saying no, or sitting around doing nothing! 😉 But yes, making those conscious decisions about when to say yes and no, to people or to things, can make a huge difference in how we live and how we feel. Love what you’ve shared here too, Gina. So glad to have you along for the journey!
So glad to hear it!! Yes certain aspects of simplifying come more naturally to me… but other aspects are so challenging. Thanks for being here along on the journey 🙂
Thanks Annie!! And I’ll be sharing about simplifying my wardrobe soon, so I love that you already did it! I really appreciate your kind words, thank you so much for reading 🙂
Yes exactly. And thank you so much Kiki, so glad to have you along on this journey and to be able to call you a blog friend!!
Thanks so much Erin! And exactly– it’s exhausting to strive all the time.
Thank you so so much. you’re so kind and it means so much that you’re on this journey with me 🙂
Yes so true! We can definitely over-commit ourselves to numbers and only define success that way.
Thank you, that means a lot to me.
Thank you Nabihah!! Absolutely, that’s a great way to simplify 🙂
Thank you so much Chrissy, that means so much to me! And yes, we do put a ton of pressure on ourselves… I’m learning that simplicity doesn’t mean not believing in excellence, but definitely taking a new approach to it. Glad to have you along 🙂
Thank you!! x
Love this!
Love this post. Your writing is always so inspiring!
http://www.losetheroad.blogspot.ca
You are such an inspiration, Daisy. Your thoughtfulness and care for your own virtue is so wonderful — you are a lady in the truest sense of the word 🙂
dance a real
Your posts are always so well written and thought out! I love them! This what definitely what I needed to read today…
XO,
Emily
http://Www.idodeclareblog.com
Beautifully written. I agree, it’s time for me too to simplify and minimize. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! -xx
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Beautiful Daisy! It’s so difficult to do this. To balance one’s own wants and desires with what is needed. To find pleasure in the small, often non-material things. Strip away the excess and journey forward. Enjoy the quiet and find your happiness.
.. Laura ..
This is so, so beautiful Daisy! Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your vision for you and your blog. It’s so inspiring! Minimalism is such a hard concept to embrace. I’ve been struggling with how to balance re-prioritizing my life and living with this simple mindset but also reacting to the calls and situations around me. I’ve found that trying to live simply doesn’t mean being lazy or saying no to lots of things. It doesn’t mean you don’t have a direction. It is quite the contrary. Simple living is hard work. Simple isn’t easy. I think there is a balance in trying to achieve “high profile” things but also having the right heart and spirit beyond the work. It’s always good to have forward-thinking. It’s always good to be someone who says “yes” to the right things and is implementing action for change. While this does mean we may have busy schedules and may lean towards comfort in material things or excess in possessions, it’s a natural thing–but something we can definitely control. It’s in our power to move forward and accomplish our dreams, even by choosing to live simply with a heart set on the things that matter. 🙂
Ohh, I can so related to this, Daisy. Not so much on the wardrobe part as I have never been a huge clothes shopper and have always stick to minimal stuff but I agree with striving for everything high-profile. Always wanting to get more followers is the one thing that drove me nuts. After a recent wake up call from hubby, these days I just blog because ‘I Enjoyed It’ and not for stats or get more exposure. You’re right, simplifying stuff makes things so much easier, we just concentrate on what is most important.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Very well said! Sometimes I feel the exact same way – in fact, I just ripped out more than half of my closet to get rid of all the things I thought I would wear, wanted to wear, but never wore. Simplifying for me means focusing on making quality, thoughtful decisions, purchases, meals, etc. It’s hard to do that when we live in a world that is always screaming NEW NEW MORE MORE, but it is admirable that you recognize your need to step back! Thanks for sharing!!
xo Annie
laircake.com
It’s so challenging to feel this way in a society that is wired to want more more more. More money, more free things, more stuff. It’s overwhelming some times. You are totally right in the sense that less is more. In fact, it’s so much more. When we can rid ourselves of those things that used to matter, or those things we think matter, but in all reality dont, we will truly be content. I really think that’s what makes me restless at times. Ready your posts is so enlightening. It’s a wake up call I desperately need to stay on track. (:
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com
So humbling! Absolutely love what you said here. Striving never seems to stop. Even when we reach success in one area, we strive to succeed even more… Almost diminishing what we just accomplished. It’s exhausting and challenging. Celebrating our achievements needs to be intentional and we need to come down from the planning and striving to truly indulge in where we are and how we got there! 🙂 THanks for the words today!
xo Erin
http://www.winkandatwirl.com
“It’s not new things I need. What I need is to be made new.”
So much of this, particularly the above sentiment, has been swirling around my head lately and I just love that you had the energy and courage to address it here. You’ve put into words and made clearer to me, so many things that I’ve really been struggling with. Your posts are always so relatable and make me feel less alone, thank you love.
K.xo
http://www.rarelytakenseriously.com
I think being a blogger can really bring out the desire of being being/doing better. It’s hard to not want to make something you love into something better and bigger, but it’s definitely a dangerous trap. I always have to remind myself not to compare and just do things my way…even if it is extremely slow. I wan to enjoy this process so I’ve been committed to not getting caught up in the numbers of it all or the comparison aspect…I guess it’s my way of keeping things simple.
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
You’re heading in the right direction. Many young adults find modern life unsatisfying and ponder what you’re pondering. Ahead of you lies the fulfillment you’re seeking.
I really enjoyed reading it! I’ve started trying my best not to live behind my screens and focus on what’s in front of me. I’ve been trying to put down my phone more, check it less and be present. It isn’t easy as I’m (apparently) addicted to social media but there’s something liberating about it. It’s my version of simplicity 🙂
thesundaywardrobe.blogspot.com
Very nice post. I can totally relate – I always strive for the high profile. Not necessarily to get recognition from others (although the “You have a new follower” email is always nice!), but to be the absolute best that I can be. Whether that’s in work, on my blog or even in my fitness routine, I tend to push myself too hard and all at once. It’s definitely a balancing act that I’m learning to master (adding more pressure to myself, yet again)!.
I can’t wait to read more from you as you figure out your path, it’s exciting!
Chrissy x
http://www.chrissylilly.com
A very lovely sentiment! xx