Simplicity in Complexity
Finding simplicity in complexity can be a way of navigating our daily lives. We often feel stuck, overwhelmed by the intricacies of our existence. We may ask ourselves, “Why do we feel this way? How did our lives become so entangled?”
Routines can ensnare us. The same alarm wakes us, the same routes lead us to work, the same chores await us every day. Endless meetings, overwhelming Inboxes, and demanding lists fill our hours. Both at home and work, unfinished tasks loom large. The struggle remains constant, even if we work remotely, tethered to our virtual offices through conference calls, emails, and social technologies.
Yet, change happens only when we consider stepping outside of our habitual comfort zones. Simplicity opens up opportunities to untangle the complicated mess that our lives have become.
One Step Back: Three Steps Forward
Unlearning our entrenched ways may sound like a backward approach, but is it? By changing the way we perceive and react to anything and everything, we can start to undo the knots that bind us. To initiate, can we identify what got us stuck in the first place? Maybe the habits that once caused our stagnation are now the ones we unlearn.
In the words of the 8th-century monk, Meister Eckhart, “Only the hand that erases can write the true thing.” As the architects of our lives, we wield the power to make simplicity a way of life, or keep living in complexity. It’s our choice to accept and complain, or create.
Yes, change takes effort and intention. Our chaotic lives and habits urge us to cling to the safety of our comfort zones. Taking a leap into the unknown doesn’t need to be daunting. Still, when we reflect on our needs and identify what we need to unlearn, we free ourselves from the distracting noise of our busy, complex ways of living.
Less is More: The Journey of Simplicity
Simplifying our lives is an ongoing journey, neither a marathon nor a sprint. We can assess daily tasks that energize or drain our energy. This helps in stripping down tasks to their bare essentials.
And it’s also important to remember that simplicity comes from consciously choosing to break free from old habits and beliefs. As we inch towards simplifying our lives and focusing on what truly matters, can we keep our minds open, free from past biases?
The bottom line is this: if we aim to unstick ourselves, we find opportunities to shift our mindset. Not everything is at it seems. Can we afford to wait for the world around us to change? We are the only ones who can change ourselves.
Are we aware of what serves our health? A simpler, meaningful life is patiently waiting for each of us to embrace. Because we are always unlearning and learning on our path. The rest is simply noisy distraction.
“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” ― Steve Jobs