By Joyce Dillon
A year ago, I sat down at my desk to look at my weekly planner, which was bursting with “to do” lists, phone calls, committee meetings, projects, lunch appointments, classes, speaking engagements and networking. My mind fogged over just looking at all these commitments which created more stress to manage, and I suddenly realized I did not want my life to be this busy and complicated.
I secretly yearned to be alone and to be quiet. I realized I was having difficulty creating any time for me to “just be.”
I immediately took a beach trip, and over the next week I meditated and walked on the beach in silence, reflecting and meditating about how I could improve the quality of my life and live more fully conscious each day, with more passion and purpose. I sat with a notebook and asked myself, “What do I need to shift to create a more balanced, fun, joyful life?”
I looked at each area of my life: my life-style, my finances, my work, health, and relationships, and pondered what aspects in each area could be simplified and uncluttered. I began to clear my schedule of commitments to which I was not fully committed.
Before you start this life-changing process, you need to be honest with yourself about why you are not taking time to live your life. Are you hiding out from some emotional issue? Do you have difficulty setting limits? Is your self worth attached to how much you work? Have you developed self-destructive habits or patterns that do not allow for joy?
Make a list of every thing you want to get rid of that is keeping you confined and restricted from living your life without spaciousness. Here are a few suggestions. Get rid of: clutter in your office and home, debt, living and commuting too far from home, working too much, doing busy work, relationships that are energy drainers, involvement in organizations that you are not passionate about, and wearing clothes that are not comfortable and easy to manage. These are just a few of the many ways to simplify!
Just say “no” to doing things you don’t want to do. If you can’t say no, go back and read “When I Say No, I Feel Guilty,” by Manuel J. Smith. He will give you tools you need to reduce your commitments and make your time your own again.
Maintaining a simple life that allows for space to breathe requires a certain amount of vigilance. It is not realistic to think it will automatically stay simple. Old habits die hard, and life transformations take time.
Our culture does not support simplicity. There are constant messages from the media, family and friends to buy new gadgets, up-grade your car, buy trendy clothes and by all means to get back out on the fast track.
Simplifying your life is a choice, one that can change your life!
© 2012 Joyce Dillon, RN, MN
Joyce Dillon, RN, MN, a board-certified Life and Wellness Coach, author, clinical nurse specialist, empowerment group facilitator, and retreat/eco-travel leader. As founder of a 17-year-old international coaching, personal development and travel-retreat company, I help entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve more success, passion and purpose and reconnect to their lives. Please contact me in the following ways:
Fully Conscious Living Academy
www.joycedillon.com
jjdillon@mindspring.com
404-824-7332
