I Am Wellness: Cut the crap and be free
From clutter to freedom of mind and body
By Annette J Beveridge
How simplistic is your life? The answer is probably not that simple at all. If you feel that life is veering out of control, it is worth spending a few moments to consider how and why this has happened.
The more I research into living a simplistic life, the more I realise how unnecessarily complicated it is.
Our way of life can be complex and charged with stress. The harder we try to resolve issues, it may seem that the weight of life comes pressing down even more.
A toxic way of life
The problem is how we live life, and how we strive to better ourselves. Often, we surround ourselves with the symbol of our achievements, yet it is simply more stuff.
I learned an important lesson many years ago, stuff does not make us happy.
We need a different mindset.
When we cut the crap in life, we find space to breathe, to let go of pressures, and to find peace in the stillness. We don’t need to measure wealth, we need to measure happiness. For anyone who has tried to break free, it can be a difficult journey but it is worth the effort.
It is a case of stripping back the unnecessary pressures and thinking about who we are and what is important to us.
We create our own struggles in life. It is sad but true. We do this by forming attachments to specific occurrences, our behaviours are set, and so a loop of repetitive behaviours occurs. These often take precedence over the way we really want and need to live.
Living in a cluttered environment is not conducive to inner peace. We become attached to a certain lifestyle. For many, there is a need to fill every space of daily life, often to avoid being alone. Being alone at times should not make us fearful; the opposite, it is a time when we can truly be ourselves.
Read more: Understanding cortisol
Finding solutions
Consider what life could be like without constant distractions or interruptions. Consider life if you had time to yourself.
If your mind is overflowing, imagine space between the to-do list generated by the mind, create corridors through the clutter, and give space to think and feel. Give yourself the greatest gift, time to yourself.
When you create a little more space, you can do the things that give you peace, enjoyment, and relaxation.
If you ever feel guilty when you rest up and do nothing, it is a sure sign that you need some time out. Try this - give yourself permission to take time out. Believe me, it is hard but worth it. We are programmed into multi-tasking and take pride in the fact that we can do so much all at the same time, but is this really good?
When you embrace simplicity, you think in the now, and you live in a way that harmonises self rather than burdening it with pressure. This leads to greater health and wellbeing.
