Living a complicated life can take a toll on our health, mental and spiritual well-being, and have a negative effect on our relationships. If you want time for what’s important and the time to devote to the things that matter, then simplifying your life might be a good thing for you.
A good place to start is to know why simplifying is important to you, you’ll need to identify what you want your life to look like as you create and find your own version of ‘simple’.
There are many reasons to simplify your life so it’s important that you start by identifying why you want to simplify. The ‘why’ behind anything we do is what keeps us motivated and helps us stay on the path when things get challenging. Without a clear mission statement in your heart for any goal that you set for yourself, it’s easy for your good intentions to disappear.
If you can free up some space, time, and money in your life by letting go of the things you don’t value, you can start doing things that will add value to your life. Most people know in their hearts what is important to them but the complications of life leave them no time to dedicate to those things. What matters to you? Time with your family? Growing closer to God? Your health? Your passion? Time and freedom to travel or start your own business?
One of my biggest reasons to simplify myself was to get closer to God, I felt like I couldn’t grow closer to him because my mind and heart were so cluttered. Growing close to God requires time. There are no shortcuts to spiritual growth. I used to do the rushed, guilt driven, 5-minute prayer, but quality time and the understanding that you can think about Him all throughout the day because you have created space for him in your day for Him is such a beautiful life changing thing.
It’s important to address both the external and internal clutter in our lives so our minds can rest. It’s absolutely okay to have an empty mind! How can you hear from God or get creative ideas if your mind is filled to capacity and overflowing with worries and To-Do- Lists? So, this week I challenge you to think about your ‘Why?’ for any goal that you want to achieve this year.
*The author is a consultant and coach. Instagram handle: @miss_shefa, Website: missshefa.com
Shefa Ali