Once upon a time…as far back as yesterday…I’ve struggled with the ebbs + flows, nay the tsunami peaks + valleys, of emotions. Sometimes, they are intense. + persistent.
Man, they can be big to process. It’s literally been a life journey, + will continue to be.
I want to share things that have helped, because I know I’m not the only one who’s been tasked with these life lessons. I’m so hopeful for the youth of today, who I think, I hope, will have a better tools, + understanding, + acceptance to support their inner workings. It’s hard when you’re learning + accepting some of these lessons into your 30s [+ beyond…]. It’s never too late to learn something new, to adapt the way you think + process. Evolution, friend. That’s what it is. It’s part of what we’re here for.
Simplicity kind of sums up the method by which I care for my inner workings. The word itself can evoke certain assumptions, but reflects nothing about how our home looks, how I manage things. I have an extensive project management program to manage my life stuffs for our home, family, projects, etc., the same program I use at work to manage + coordinate large design projects. It’s a little extra. Because my brain + psyche often feel like a Jackson Pollock painting, I employ strategies to keep things reigned in. More like a Caravaggio painting. Tight. Precise. Yet, still dramatic. + I do this because offloading the brain-mess leaves me with much more capacity to enjoy the moments, be in the moments with my loved ones.
The very first tool I started using to start supporting the well being of my inner self, + really launched the simplicity journey, was gratitude. Yes, friend. Gratitude. The, now, much-cliched self-development + self-care practice of gratitude.
I’ve written about it before : here, here, + here, but think one can’t be reminded enough of how effective it is as a self-care practice. You know what, it’s not even just about self-care, which is hugely necessary but has come to ring a little hollow as a buzzword of today…it’s such an excellent way to be reminded of how rich our lives truly are; how little we truly need to be content, to be happy; how the best things in life really are very simple. It’s a necessary part of being mindful in any given moment. It’s not about positive-washing our experiences, but being able to be present + appreciative.
So this is my invitation to you right now to pause + close your eyes, or grab paper + pen if you feel so inclined, + think of 3-5 things you’re grateful for. Yes, right now. Savour them. Really feel the why behind your feeling of gratitude.
Right now, this moment, I’m so grateful for this time, on a Friday afternoon, to be able to write out some thoughts + feelings to share. Whether the outcome has impact or not, this feels like my soul work, + I’m so deeply grateful I’ve made the time to do it. That the house is quiet. That I have a computer to type on. That our wifi is working. That my coffee is bold + delicious. That I get to embrace my son in 1 hour. + that I’ll be a fuller human for him, having taken this time for me. I’m grateful for the sound of the furnace working, bringing warmth into our home. For the golden glow of the sun through the front window curtains. + for the annoying alarm going off, reminding me to drink water…which we have in abundance from the taps in our home. This moment is just rich with things to be grateful for. + here’s a little vulnerability. I write this for me. I’ll post this with the hope that it might make a difference for somebody, who might give the practice of gratitude a chance or be reminded to start again or keep going with it, + who will feel the impact of what this simple practice can do, as it did for me when I started.
Thanks for reading. I’m grateful for you, because…doing this, writing this, is important to me, + if you’re here, you’re a part of it. I’m grateful for you. The writing of this is for me. But if it makes any sort of impression on anyone else…well, then that’s what gives these words meaning. Thank you.