My version of a simpler life embraces green living, eco-conscious growth, time and experience over money and stuff, and inner peace and happiness over image and social status.
Simple living sounds ‘easy’, and this may be true for many successful simplicity stars. But for others, the truth is that it isn’t easy or straightforward. All new lifestyle changes eventually become like second nature, at which point you might think it’s ‘easy’. But transition periods can be fraught with insecurities and hidden obstacles. For most, moving from model American consumerist party-goer to simple living expert doesn’t happen overnight – a great deal of learning and adapting happens both before taking the dive and after. Only those with true tenacity will be able to climb over the learning curve. They are most likely the ones who will discover the ‘easy’ in simplicity.
Many of us were brought up in a completely different world, believing in things that we later realized are harmful to the earth, and to our personal health. Paper is cheap, so use it freely. Eating should be fast and convenient, to make time for more fun or productivity. Making and spending more money means I am a more intelligent, capable person. For some, there are even more deep-seated beliefs to uproot, and it will take longer to fully exorcise them to make room for a new and healthier way of living.
We are only human, after all.
Simplicity: Complicated
It isn’t really simple or straightforward to start living eco-consciously after a lifetime of convenience. At that point, convenience is swimming somewhere in your blood.
If you’re trying to buy less unnecessary stuff, you’ll run into questions about retail therapy and image. Why do you hold onto those things, and why do you love shopping so much?
If you’re trying to get away from using disposable products, you’ll likely be facing some old demons. You’ll wonder why you always flicked your cigarette butts anywhich way, without a thought or glance. Why do you always cave to advertising, buying things you don’t really need, or eating food that makes you feel sick? Whatever the reason, it will likely be uncomfortable.
Choosing an alternative path requires confidence and independence. If you don’t already have these in good shape, your path will be a bit windy.
There’s a good deal of emotional sorting out to be done in this work. At the same time, you’re thinking about the big issues: waste, consumerism, climate change, ethical business, love, humanity. You’re also thinking about how you can live the simpler life you want while maintaining your old relationships. Sometimes, there’s a lot of tension. It’s not all warm and fuzzy, let’s just say.
That looks like a lot on one plate to me. Complicated.
Wasn’t this supposed to be simple? You recognize the problems your old habits caused you, so you stop and adopt new habits. Simple, right? But somehow it doesn’t always work out that way. Did you make it complicated? Is it your fault?
No. It isn’t.
You are human, after all. You strive to be the best you can be, according to what you learned and experienced while growing up. Now that you’ve gained awareness of your personal impact on the earth, you’re striving to be even better. But fighting those demons can be an epic battle.
I’m motivated by the fact that most simplicity stars have found peace and purpose. They’ve shown me what’s possible, and I believe I can create the same. I’ve surfed through many highs and lows so far on my journey towards simplicity and sustainability. Despite the lows, I know deep down inside the promise of peace and purpose is true.
Complexity Is Not Chaos
In general usage, complexity tends to be used to characterize something with many parts in intricate arrangement. ~ Wikipedia
The good thing is, complexity does not equal chaos. Things seem complicated when there is so much going on, we don’t know how to handle it all. We get overwhelmed, and our lizard brain takes over, quashing our ability to think clearly and rationally.
But if we can calm our lizard brains, and carefully dissect the situation, we can uncover complexity’s true image: it’s a network of interconnected parts. These parts may be obstacles, solutions, aspirations.
Some of the obstacles we encounter are emotional in nature. Why do I love to buy things? Why can’t I remember to bring my reusable bags 100% of the time? Some are logistical: How do I compost? How do I go paper-free? What can I do with my unwanted possessions?
I see each as a problem waiting to be solved. Perhaps you can see it as a project waiting for your leadership.
It really all boils down to this: Complexity can’t be escaped. Humans are complex creatures. Nature is complex, life is complex. But it doesn’t mean chaos, and it doesn’t have to stop you.
Why do simple living pioneers love slowing down? It’s because life is rich and complex. If you’re too busy chasing elusive dreams, you won’t see the beautiful complexity. How do you feel in this moment? Yesterday? Tomorrow? How will your intuition improve tomorrow? If you go at the right pace, you’ll get to experience all of it.
Slow down, and bask in complexity. It might be confusing, but you don’t have to figure it all out right now. The beauty of complexity is that you’ll never be finished exploring – there is always more inquiry, learning, and adventure to be had. There’s a whole universe out there, waiting for your arrival.
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
~ Lao Tzu
I wrote this because I want you to know – epic projects and battles are ahead. But when they’re done, you’ll find tremendous peace, happiness, and true, easy simplicity. I promise.
Enjoy this post? Share it with your friends!
*Photos by Zara J and Kris Bradley
I really love the way you see obstacles as problems waiting to be solved. That’s a very powerful approach! I think another important step is to be selective with the problems we choose to solve, aiming to utilize our unique strengths and interests — following our hearts and doing what our intuition suggests is our the most important work.
Simplicity is a bold new frontier (at least bold and new for the consumerist, material-oriented societies) and pioneers need to be, as you said, independent and confident when blazing the trail. Even if we’re not sure how to foster its growth, we need to plant a seed of leadership inside each of us and be ready to “tough it out” when the going gets tough.
Your post reminded of a quote by Leonardo da Vinci: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Simplicity isn’t a means for being lazy or getting more for less work. It’s a means of removing what is unnecessary, thereby ensuring sustainability.
I aim for simplicity in not only the physical world, but also in my thought processes and observations. Instead of trying to observe or think about everything, I try to move my focus around while giving my full attention to one thing at a time. When I manage to really do this, I find myself living in the moment. Time seems to slow down.
Even complex systems like computers don’t actually do things in a complicated way: Computers that process millions of instructions only process them one instruction at a time (it just happens so quickly that appears very complex). The most complex electronics can all be reduced to a simple on/off switch.
Wonderful and insightful post, Lynn!
Great comment, Raam! I love how you talk about applying simplicity to your way of thinking as well. Too often I feel overloaded because I’m always thinking about everything! Focus, focus, focus. I’d love to make time slow down
I have trouble slowing down too! I need to follow my own advice and really bask in that complexity. Otherwise, my focus will get lost!
Thanks, Raam! You’re very right about choosing which problems to focus on, and prioritizing them. That is something that definitely overwhelms me. I loved your analogy of computers, I think that’s a really powerful way of thinking!
Hi Lynn! This is a nice post. Simplicity, in my experience, has always been a process rather than a destination.
Thanks, Hillary! I understand what you mean – simplicity is a way of life, not really an end point. But that’s exactly the problem – changing your way of life is going to excavate a whole bunch of demons you may not have prepared for. Some are caught in the trap of negative thinking and insurmountable fear. For some, it’s much harder to traverse this territory than others, depending on their personality and life experience. That is my take on it, at least.
Awesome post! I find it really important to always be taking in knowledge. From the moment I started this sustainability quest, I’ve learned so much and my opinions and beliefs are constantly shape-shifting. And that’s totally ok. They more we learn, the more we can be confident in how we choose to live simply and sustainably.
I agree! My opinions and beliefs shape-shift too, but I think that’s a natural process of discovering what we truly believe. Yes, the more we learn, the more we can be confident! Confidence is key!
Lynn,
This is fabulous! Only by touching others’ humanity and fragility can we really change. You’ve demonstrated this so beautifully here. Healing ourselves, healing the planet can only occur through tolerance, patience, and understanding. You are a simplicity rock star even in all the complexity!
Thanks so much, Sandra! I bumped into so many troubles, and realized so many things about myself – it’s been a true spiritual awakening. It’s like the beginning of my journey has been all about learning about myself, my boundaries, my strengths, weaknesses. And now it’s time to really, truly explore. I’ve built up a base to work from, and it’ll get easier to climb that hill.
I can’t tell you how important it is to me that we really bring our humanity to light – strengths and weaknesses, the whole deal. We are all human, we all suffer and have strengths and weaknesses. It’s really important to be able to see the entire picture, and embrace it, even the ugly parts. There’s a fine line between fixating on weaknesses, and recognizing and embracing them in order to move forward. So that’s where some of the trouble lies. But I believe there’s got to be a way to embrace it gently and move forward.
This is me right now. I want to get back to basics, simplify, walk lightly… There are epic battles ahead and it scares me. I hold on to hope, and make changes everyday, hoping that to add to the solution, further it along. Beautiful post Lynne.
Yes, hold on to hope! We’ll all get there one day. I’m very grateful to meet others interested in reducing their impact! Even if it takes me a few years to really get into a comfortable groove of living simply, that’s better than a lifetime of throwaway convenience.
Pingback: Simple Living News Update + A Video Message
Lynn,
I’m tickled to have found your site via Rowdy Kittens.(Yeah Tammy!)
What a beautifully written truth. This journey is worthwhile but not necessary simple in the easy, breezy way people wish that it were. The benefits to our lives from simplifying, slowing down, being more mindful and conscious in our day to day lives is without measure though.
Each day we are reminded afresh of the beauty of slower lives and simpler pursuits and we are grateful we’ve made the tough choices. I believe you are right in saying more battles lie ahead; life is changing at an impressive rate and we must adapt and deal with the changes as we face them. Even in that; my husband is fond of saying ‘Where there is change, there is opportunity’; as we consciously take our lives a day at a time we see the opportunities afforded us by our lifestyle all the easier. We wish you success on your journey, we will be checking back in!
Thanks so much, Gena! So glad the message resonates with you. You point out an important fact – life is constantly changing, now at a faster rate than ever before. I love that saying, and really believe there is opportunity around every corner. I wish you success on your journey as well!
Pingback: A Few Personal Development Favorites « Always Well Within
Thank you so much for this blogpost! I read it once, let it sit for a day in my mind, and then came back and read it again. It helped me clarify so many of my personal frustrations with changing my lifestyle. Thank you for thoughts!
Pingback: Getting Simple Sucks Sometimes | Be More with Less
Pingback: the things we keep « urbanhippie~twist
Pingback: Going Farming! + Other Updates | Upcycled Love
Pingback: The Wisdom of Ecology | Upcycled Love
Pingback: Perspectives on Simple Living | Upcycled Love