I crave simplicity, yet I complicate all I do.
I seek clarity, yet I obscure my own thoughts.
I strive for purity, yet I muddy the waters every time.
As I head towards my 42nd birthday, I am in the mood for introspection.
I have so much to be grateful for.
So much happiness in my life.
Yet.
I am still too busy, too distracted, too fast.
I read of the slow-lived life and I wonder how that can be.
I see calmness and ease and openness and I wonder how that can be me.
I almost wish for a more austere, spartan life.
Bare. Dull.
Yet.
I know this is not me.
That I have a need for complexity, challenge.
How to create balance though?
How to create a life free from stress.
From the inevitable shouting and self-chastisement and guilt that is the result.
How to create an unpretentious yet fulfilling life.
How to be still.
In the moment.
How to instill a sense of innocence and naturalness into my day to day.
To breathe in and absorb the wonder in the day.
To truly listen, not just hear.
To truly see, not just watch.
To slow down and simply be.
To take all that I am, all that I have learned, and become a better me.
To move through my forties with more grace than I achieved in my thirties.
To be a calmer version of myself.
I crave simplicity; and it’s time to stop complicating everything I do.
You can find this weeks #ThePrompt linky here. I do hope this week’s prompt inspired you; I look forward to reading your posts.
Brilliant blog post – I often feel the same way, constantly craving simplicity but complicating life at every turn!
It’s hard not to, isn’t it?
Oh my lovely, I can really sense that you’re going through a tricky time and want to give you a huge hug. Sending love and positivity your way, hoping that you have a fab 42nd birthday and the simplicity you’re craving comes to you xxx
Thank you Renee, I just feel I’m treading water a little, and would like to feel less frantic! My birthday is next week, here’s hoping it’s the start of calmer times x
There’s a fine line for that simplicity you crave. I tend to yearn for the same, but often find myself complicating things on the road to a stress-free life. Sometimes I stress more about being stress-free, in fact. It’s a struggle that plenty of us, especially parents, face. I wish I could divulge some kind of magic potion or secret spell that would make it all better, but I can’t. What I can offer is empathy because I’m right there with you, friend. I seek for the same thing, every day. And when I find the secret to it all, to live the simple life free of stress and worries, you’ll be my first call. In the meantime, know that I’m walking the same path right beside you. And should we figure this complication out together, that makes the journey all the more worth it, right?
Thank you for hosting us this week. Lovely to always join and be in such great company at #ThePrompt
I suspect it’s an impossible dream to a certain extent, but there must be a better balance than the one I have now, so if I can feel that I’ve simplified as much as I can, I will feel calmer within myself x
Oh, I can so hear what you’re saying and it’s echoes of what you were saying earlier in the year post Britmums. Parenting brings with it complication, I think, because you’re having to juggle and incorporate so many other people’s lives into yours. From the moment they’re born the complexity and challenges of day to day living changes. I’m not sure how we find simplicity again in this complex, 24-7 world with busy, growing children but I’m sure you can find pockets or moments you can eek out and enjoy, over time,
Have a very happy 42nd birthday xx
PS: you look much younger!
Thanks for hosting #ThePrompt
I think that parenthood is inherently complicated, but I feel that there has to be a better balance out there somewhere x PS. Thank you ;)
I often think I should spend mopre time just sitting back and watching the world go by. I know my lifestyle is taking its toll on my body and I need to destress anddeclutter my life. Rather like you I’m in my forties now and my thirties werea demanding time. Then again, I don’t simply want to sikn into easy domesticity. Your poem encapsulates my dilema perfectly! Thanks for hosting #ThePrompt. Good to be back.
I think it’s that elusive balance, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to find it!
I can so relate to this! I wish I could simplify my life but I’m such a naval gazer I over-complicate everything!
I am much the same, I need to let some things go x
Another area where it’s so hard to get the balance right! At the same time as I crave to declutter and minimalise my surroundings, I love everything that I have around me. I want a simple life but I worry it will look dull!
Good prompt, thank you x
It’s tricky isn’t it, but we must be able to find a way to have both?
I sense your frustration, Sara. I’ve read that acknowledging a need to be more mindful is a really important step. There’s no constant sense of being mindful for most of us – you know you need challenge in your life, but crave simplicity too – perhaps accepting that incongruity is important too. Lovely post as always xxx #ThePrompt
I think you’re right, and perhaps by realising that I need to change something, but not everything, I will find a way through it.
Love this post – I think in this day and age, many of us do crave simplicity…there is just too much complicating our lives. This really sums up that sentiment perfectly #wineandboobs
Thank you, I think we are all seeking a calmer existence, but balancing all the pulls on our time is very difficult x
Perfect timing for this post! I was telling telling my husband last night how stressed I was at how much stuff we have and I want to get rid of a lot ! Craving simplicity right along with you!
Visiting today from the Shine Blog Hop!
I suspect we all crave a bit more simplicity in our lives :)
This is beautiful, lovely… and true!
Simplicity is so complex when you’re striving to have it! You hear it’s a way of being but it takes so much effort to become.
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Exactly, it sounds like it should be such an easy thing, but actually it’s incredibly difficult.
Thanks for hosting x