The Art of Simplifying: Making Space for What Truly Matters
Happy New Year, friends! It feels so good to be back. I took a much-needed break to pause, reflect, and think about what this year could hold. In the stillness, I found clarity—not just about the exciting projects I’m working on (and can’t wait to share with you!) but also about the importance of living with intention. This first post of the year feels like the perfect way to start our journey together, focusing on simplicity as a practice for clarity and purpose.
Life often feels like a whirlwind—an endless stream of decisions, distractions, and demands competing for our attention. We wear busyness like a badge of honor, filling every moment with more until we’re left wondering why our hearts feel so heavy and our minds so cluttered. But here’s the truth: simplicity isn’t about having less; it’s about creating room for what truly matters.
Simplicity, at its core, is about clarity. It’s not just about cleaning out your closet or clearing your calendar—though those can help—but about removing the mental and emotional clutter that keeps us from seeing clearly. When we strip away the noise, we make space to hear what’s essential. And in that space, we find freedom.
Why Clarity Matters More Than Ever
Clarity is the antidote to overwhelm. Without it, we drift—overcommitting, second-guessing, and living on autopilot. With clarity, we align ourselves with what matters most: our purpose, our values, and our deepest desires. We stop chasing what we think we should want and start focusing on what we truly need.
In my work as a hospice chaplain, I’ve had countless conversations with people reflecting on their lives. At the end of the day, their regrets are rarely about what they didn’t accumulate or achieve. Instead, they often speak of wishing they’d lived with more intention—spending more time with loved ones, appreciating the small moments, or simply being present. What they long for isn’t more complexity; it’s the simplicity of a life lived fully.
Simplifying Isn't Easy—But It's Worth It
Simplicity requires letting go. And let’s be honest—letting go can be terrifying. We hold on to old habits, outdated beliefs, and unnecessary obligations because they feel safe, even if they’re no longer serving us. But simplicity invites us to release what weighs us down so we can embrace what lifts us up.
It starts with small steps. Declutter your physical space, yes, but also ask yourself: What thoughts, commitments, or relationships are cluttering your heart and mind? What would it look like to set those down, even for a moment? It’s in the letting go that clarity emerges.
The Freedom to Be Present
When we embrace simplicity, something remarkable happens: we create space for joy. The heart, unburdened by distractions and clutter, becomes free to love and enjoy. Suddenly, the everyday moments—a shared meal, a quiet walk, a kind word—feel more vivid, more alive. Life doesn’t become perfect, but it becomes clear, and clarity allows us to see the beauty we’ve been too busy to notice.
In the same way that a garden flourishes when we pull the weeds, our lives flourish when we clear the mental and emotional litter. Simplicity isn’t about doing less for the sake of it—it’s about making room for what truly matters. It’s about seeing, loving, and living with intention.
Cultivating Simplicity in Everyday Life
Start with the Small Stuff: Simplify your morning routine or clear one space in your home. Small changes create momentum.
Say "No" More Often: Every "yes" to something unimportant is a "no" to something that matters. Practice setting boundaries that protect your time and energy.
Unplug Regularly: Step away from screens and distractions. Give yourself moments of quiet to reconnect with what’s important.
Reflect Daily: Take a few minutes each day to ask yourself: What truly matters today? Am I living in alignment with my purpose?
Simplicity is not a destination; it’s a practice. It’s the ongoing work of clearing space for clarity, aligning with your purpose, and letting your heart breathe. When we live simply, we live freely—not weighed down by the unnecessary but lifted by what truly matters.
This week, I invite you to choose one small way to embrace simplicity. Start where you are, with what you have. Let go of something that no longer serves you, and make room for clarity, connection, and joy. After all, a life lived with intention is a life well-lived.
