Simplify…
“It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life” __J.R.R. Tolkien
“Simple is beautiful. Not always easy, but beautiful. Simple means letting go, refining, honing in on what matters most. Quieting all the noise so you can finally relax and be you” __
In recent years I’ve been working on simple ~ simplifying, simplicity ... it’s something I crave but also something I deeply need in order to manage my mind. It’s something I have apologised for over the years, almost embarrassed by a need for simplicity when the rest of the world seems to constantly be striving for more ... and what I’ve learnt is that it’s anything but simple ~ physically and mentally clearing out the clutter. Refining, getting back to basics, setting boundaries, making room for space…
It’s an endless work in progress and something I have to commit to every day. There’s no quick fix. You have to keep doing the work. Simple habits, basic routine ... it’s what helps keep the black dog at bay and the panic calm
In this week’s yoga class we’ll be working with our drishti - the Sanskrit term for ‘focused gaze’. Which often gets overlooked for a more literal sense of ‘finding a gaze or focal point’ to aid asana during our physical yoga practice. But our drishti is also about finding our inner focus, our area of concentration - where our focus goes our energy flows
During the second half of last year I started to set my focus, my drishti, on simplicity (it sounds so, well, simple in theory but in practice it’s bloomin’ hard)
▪️simplicity within my home - scaling back, reducing what I purchase, what I use - do I really need to ‘buy’ it?
▪️simplicity within my work - ensuring I don’t overcommit, being more effective with my time by simplifying processes
▪️simplicity within my health and well-being - getting back to basics, simple routines and habits. Finding ways to help manage my mind that could really do with an off switch
Simplicity creates clarity. Simplicity creates space (and who wouldn’t love a bit more clarity + space in their minds?) ... leaving more time to enjoy simple pleasures, like savouring my morning tea, my daily dog walk, making time to put my thoughts down on paper, working my body and mind out on my yoga mat. Simple in theory but practice makes progress, right?
“It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life” __J.R.R. Tolkien
