Last year when I wrote my post on New Years Resolutions (or rather an anti-Resolution) I noticed other bloggers sharing their “One Word” for 2015. I had no clue what they were talking about. As it turns out, many men and women take the time to reflect on their lives and choose a word that encapsulates their wishes or dreams for the coming year. These words come from life experiences. They come out of prayer. They come out of needs.
Eventually the word Courage became prominent for me in 2015. I needed courage to face the change our big move brought us. I needed to walk through my fears of loss in the midst of leaving friends, church, and home to seek a new life.
Three months and 19 days ago, we moved into our home. The time surrounding the move felt like a perpetual roller coaster and I often joked with friends that I wanted to get off. New schools. New home. Refinished floors. Backed up sewer drain. Wedding. Stomach flu. And on and on it went.
This was followed by Write 31 Days where I attempted to write a Bible Study covering the entire Old Testament in one month.
Then holidays, birthdays, parties, concerts, Dressember – the time was fruitful with relationships and joy, while each day seemed to bring more stuff into our house from presents, packed boxes, and my own trips to the store.
Our life is full.
It is good.
But I am feeling the strain of the complications this past year of change has brought on my heart and my family.
We have haphazardly filled our time with Netflix and Amazon reruns.
When cooking feels like too much after a long day, I’ve relied on Wendy’s and frozen foods.
My home reflects my confusion as many boxes remain full and stacked around the house. My office has become a dumping zone for items I’m not sure what to do with.
So when I think of my desires for the year ahead I can only think of one word: Simple.
I envision a simple life as less chaotic and more peaceful. Less striving and more resting. Less clutter and more structure.
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun writes that the desire for simplicity is the longing
Yes. Simple. It sounds so good.
But I find that I’m not sure what “simplicity” means. What a simple life looks like.
Is simplicity minimalism?
Is it remaining unplugged?
Is it a design in a home renovation?
Is it a practice? A state of being?
What is it?
This next year I intend to find out and I invite you to join me.
I would like to explore simplicity along many lines:
- Simplicity of belongings.
- Simplicity as a Spiritual Practice.
- Simplicity in food and cooking.
- Simplicity in finances.
- Simplicity in Scripture.
- Simplicity in parenting.
- Simplicity in work.
- Simplicity in play.
I already have a bookshelf of books waiting to be read on Goodreads and will be reviewing here on the blog. I would love it if you would join me in reading about – and perhaps learning to live – a simpler life. Next week I will introduce the first book (and my own doubts about it): The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
To follow along, simply sign up on the right hand side of your browser (or scroll down on your mobile device) and emails will be delivered to you as I write and explore and Seek Simplicity.
What about you? Do you have a word for 2016? Or, do you long for simplicity? How have you sought a simpler life for yourself?
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.Shaker Hymn
This is so appealing to me. I feel like I live in chaos & I need simplicity . I am so intrigued itch the book about Tidying that I downloaded the book & have already started reading it . I will be anxious to hear your thoughts. 🙂
I look forward to learning with you, Mary!
I bought that book but so far have only done one closet! I will try to play along 🙂
Haha! Perfect. (p.s. It’s not like you’ve had anything keeping you from tidying at all this year. 😉 )