Is less more, or is abundance desirable? It depends who you are and what matters to you. It depends why.

Minimalism appeals to me. That doesn’t mean I am very organised, not at all. I’m a bit messy. I get confused by too much stuff. I need to keep it simple. I don’t need another whatever-it-is…even when maybe I do. We’re all different.

Simplicity, creativity and growth

Simplicity may mean cutting out the non-essential, getting rid of what you don’t use. It can mean saying “No” to invitations you don’t enjoy. It can mean doing more of what you want and less of what you don’t.

And yet… if I trim my life down to only the things I enjoy, does it become a little sparse and stagnant? Do I then stick with only the known quantities? Do I limit myself only to experiences that pay off reliably?

Creativity is about abundance. It includes smiles and tears. It’s risk and growth and challenge. It comes from trying new things that are not a “sure thing”. Growth is uncomfortable.

Life is rich with images, sounds, smells. It can challenge our hearts and minds. It can be wonderful, difficult, scary, exhilarating and sweet.

Inflow and outflow

Do you pare your life down to the essentials or do you let it all in?

For everyday living to be manageable, it helps to simplify. It can help to choose a few things and stick with them. Get rid of the rest. It can make space and time for new ideas, connections and experiences.

Life can’t be so pared back that there’s no fun in it. It also can’t  be so busy and over-stuffed that there is never a moment to exhale and dream.

Our souls like a little empty space and time to speak to us. Our imaginations need food for thought. Our hearts need to soften in order to feel.

  • What do you want more of?
  • What do you want less of?
  • What would you love to try?
  • What do you want to clear time and space for?
  • What do you want to have or do, just for fun?
  • What makes you smile?
  • What makes you laugh?

Right now, do you need more or less? Balance doesn’t exist. Life is all process. What works? Is your life too skinny or too fat, right now? Do you need to feed it up or trim it down?

Are you over-fed but under-nourished? Good food that you really love is so much better than junk-food. But you have to try new foods to know you love them. Play with life, keep the good, let the rest go.

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