One of the things that I am focusing on this month is to fill my days with simple things… which is not as easy as it sounds. Life is complicated… hard… painful… and these days, it seems that there is a daily new calamity to keep me anchored in that space.
Yet this month, I want my focus to be on ending the month by discovering what being full of the simple feels like… and gosh, it seems like complicated life just does not want to let go… amirite?
So this is my inspiration for the month:
Simple things bring infinite pleasure. Yet, it takes us a while to realize that. But once simple is in, complex is out – forever. — J
And so I am going to use the remaining Monday’s in July to keep myself focused on the simple… a reminder for the week that will hopefully set me on the simplest path.
I wanted to give you an idea of what simple things are filling my days this month so here is a short list of my simple focus right now!
- Hand washing dishes. Yep, you read that correctly. This is a bit of necessity since the automatic dishwasher is not functioning currently, thankfully… the manual one never fails. lol But rather than complaining about having to wash the dishes, I am using the time to do a little meditation… I am freeing my mind of all the outside noise, and just being in the quiet – and yes – very simple moment of washing dishes. Honestly, I am loving it… but don’t tell Steve that, I also like the simplicity of loading the dishwasher and then heading off to do something else!
- The constant simplicity that the weeds provide me. Really, if they did not grow, would I spend as much time in my garden? Can anything be simpler than pulling weeds? I don’t think so… and it gives me a bit of a work out (those thistles can be a challenge to pull out!)
- Sewing. Especially the bits I don’t like… cutting out the pattern. However, there is a simplicity to that task… it is one that has not changed much, if at all, since my nana taught me to sew. I can hear my Home Economics teacher, Mrs Larr, talk about this being the most important part of making…and she was so right. So I am going to focus on the importance of this task and savor it… or at least I am going to try!
So there you have it! My simple focus right now.
I hope your Monday is full of good things… and maybe even some simple ones as well! See you all back here on Wednesday!
I like your simple plan! I also share a love of handwashing dishes. It’s a quiet time after dinner to put things away, do the dishes, play in the soapy water, and watch the rabbits cavorting in the backyard. My Monday includes searching for plumbing parts, but I fear it won’t be very simple.
I really like your simple plan. I, too, hand wash dishes…I’ve never had a dishwasher – really!! Yesterday I ironed a clean tablecloth and really enjoyed it – I love the scent from ironing at a high temperature. Now, if only I could figure out a way to enjoy cleaning the bathrooms – LOL
I like your focus on simple things. I know what you mean about the quiet time when handwashing dishes. Weeding and ironing are also activities that bring me that quiet time when I can calm down.
I can’t stand washing dishes but Dale likes it and is happy to wash them by hand. He actually does that more often than putting them in the dishwasher. I like reframing weeding as a way of spending time in the garden, I’m going to try and think of it that way.
I usually hand wash our dishes (I am retired!) and I kind of like it. The perk is I get to drink from my favorite mug every single day!!
We have a dishwasher, but we still hand wash most things (the stuff that goes in the dishwasher gets the food rinsed off first so it doesn’t gunk up the gears), and there is a meditative quality to it sometimes. Ditto for pulling weeds — that can definitely be a good workout and can give you a great sense of satisfaction! I also take great pleasure of a cool shower and a little rest after a good weed-pulling session.
Kat, I just ate this post right up. Because I am definitely drawn to simple–AND, I’m here nodding my head that simple is not the same as *easy*!! I’ve been enjoying the simplicity of cooking and food prepping today. It’s been a day in the kitchen, making some homemade food gifts for one of my favorite people. (My dad. His birthday.)
Loving this outlook for the month! I’m looking forward to hearing more, if you choose to share!
I love this post, Kat. I really like how you’re embracing the “not so fun” parts of life and making and focusing on their importance. I’m working hard to do the same thing and found this so inspirational ❤️
I think you’re very much on the right track, Kat — especially during These Crazy Times — to look for the simple and the good. If I didn’t have my daily weeding, I know I’d be in a much darker place. The simple, meditation opportunities that come from weeding feed my soul. (And, luckily, there is no end to the need. . . ) I hate the cutting-out part of sewing, too. If only I found it more meditative. . . XO
I wash up by hand because there is just me and it would take forever to fill the dishwasher. I like weeding grass roots, so satisfying when you get a long one! Mending clothes, sewing on buttons etc is another simple task, I am very gentle on my clothes so don’t have many mends. Putting away underwear in a drawer, so neatly rolled, it’s a pleasure. I’ve done alot of shredding of old paperwork this week. Letting go of the past..And at the moment I am not feeling well, I may have Covid again, good health is the best