The Simplicity Survey is a tool I created to measure a baseline complexity level for five different areas: spiritual health, mental health, physical health, homebuilding (building healthy familial relationships), and home management. The development of this tool started with my ideal vision for each of the five areas listed above. The survey questions evaluate how far I am from each vision. The results assume the farther away I am, the more complex that area of my life is. Conversely, the closer I am, the greater simplicity I'll experience. The survey score is a complexity score. The higher the number, the greater complexity. The lower the number the greater simplicity. Will this work? I don't know. It's a theory. Any good theory requires time, evaluation, and research. However, I do know these three things: 1. Chaos, disorder, and pain are inescapable. There is no life lived free from complexity. 2. Drawing closer to my vision, regardless of simplicity, will improve my quality of life. 3. I'll never achieve perfection and always strive for this vision. With only the potential for positive outcomes, I created and completed the survey. The steps I design in response to my result will draw me closer to my vision. I'll survey my progress quarterly and determine if greater simplicity is waiting for me there. Below I share the following for each of the five areas:
Want to try it? I've purposely created each vision with you in mind. Adopt them as your own, complete the survey, and schedule a meeting with me to review your results. Start working toward a greater quality of life alongside me. We can search for simplicity together.
In light of learning about yourself, your survey results will also skew toward your confirmation bias. Whatever you believe to be true will inform your responses. This is one aspect of the survey we can unpack together.
We will also spend some time reviewing your score in each of the five separate areas and designing steps you can take to start moving towards simplicity. Take the survey and uncover how complex your personal life really is.
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Taking care of yourself is challenging! Obvious and endless efforts to eat well and exercise are vital. We strive for mental health: positive self-talk, time for reflection, and challenging our minds to grow in knowledge and understanding. We want the perfect amount of sleep, water intake, and stress (non-existent). We want to feel a sense of purpose, connect with our creator, and maintain healthy relationships with others. These efforts aren't destinations we will one day arrive at. You'll never reach the finish line of perfect love and care for yourself and others. These efforts are part of your never-ending journey! They all matter and will always matter. Choosing what to focus on is the challenge. Where do you start? Start small! My decision to start using Bambu Earth is one small change I made to simplify. I have let go of all other products and decided to support one company who makes me feel cared for. Our skin is the largest organ in our body and I haven't been taking care of mine. I have been lured by various well-marketed and name-brand products that cost a fortune, irritate my skin, and have a long list of ingredients I can't pronounce. I have failed to moisturize, apply sunscreen, or clean & exfoliate as recommended. Often I recognize a need for change but I'm not sure what to do or how to do it. Not this time! I feel fortunate to have found a simple solution to this long-ignored problem in my life. What do I love about Bambu Earth?
Bambu Earth has provided a product that benefits my skin AND strengthens my spiritual health. I made a laminated printout of the verses for each product to keep in my bathroom. I recite each verse as I am using the product. This means, for five minutes twice a day I'm connecting with God, connecting with nature (its ingredients), and caring for my skin. Below are the products I use, their ingredients, and the Bible verses. Curious about whether I'm getting a kickback from Bambu Earth? I'm not! This is one simple start I've implemented to launch my Search For Simplicity in 2023. Activated charcoal essential oil
Rosewater cleanser
Where will you make a simple start?If you caught my very first post, "Treat Yourself To A Simplified Life This New Year", you would know I quoted Bruce Lee. Bruce said, "It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials."
I know you don't need me to tell you that parabens, sulfates, alcohols, or unnatural fragrances are not essential. Why do we keep using what we know isn't good for us? I hope you don't need me to tell you that aging is natural and beautiful. Yes, I mourn my youth. But healthy eating and exercise will benefit me more than the right chemical recipe. Please, take the time to create a list of all the ways you can start simplifying this year. Then, choose something to take action on. One simple start and then build from there. Bambu Earth was my simple start to the new year. What will yours be?
Dirty dishes clutter the kitchen. Area rugs have been violently thrown off-center by our 2-year-old boxers' escapades. A mountain of shoes - which I often scream about but also contribute to (hypocrisy) - have taken formation by the front door. If you understand, you're in the right place. My home is not all that lacks order. A season of complex emotions, sleepless nights, and apathy make work, relationships, and my personal health journey challenging. The overwhelming disorder seems to taunt me:
External AND internal noise and clutter overwhelm me. I am overstimulated, underperforming, burned out, tired, and DONE! I daydream about simplicity. I envision a peaceful life that simple systems offer, carefully created systems to support my personal goals, home environment, and professional success. I can feel the productivity possible when thriving in an orderly environment that guides me through a structured and well-planned day. I fantasize about clear and healthy boundaries in relationships that enhance my well-being and transform my mindset. Daydreaming is over. It's time to take action! This year I'll attempt a life renovation as I search for simplicity. I will do this while parenting two teenagers, running a nonprofit organization, managing a home, and maintaining healthy relationships (I hope). Sure, it will look a lot like rebuilding a plane while in flight. But, here is the thing about a mid-flight renovation, you never let go of anything essential. Bruce Lee once said, "It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.". Attaining and maintaining simplicity requires a bit of hacking. Where to start? At the finish line!
My search for simplicity extends beyond my personal life to my professional life. However, for the sake of simplicity, I will start this journey with a focus on my well-being, home, and relationships. I have identified five foundational areas that will transform my way of life if simplified. I have created a clear and universal vision for each of these areas. I invite you to adopt these visions for your life and to join me on this journey. 1. Spiritual Health Vision A consistent and disciplined spiritual practice strengthens my tether to the Lord. This deepening connection helps me joyfully fulfill my God-given purpose. 2. Physical Health Vision A keen focus on healthy eating and engaging in physical activities will exemplify love and care for my body and model a healthy lifestyle for others. 3. Mental Health Vision I lead my life with self-awareness, acceptance, and realistic expectations. I seek out support and community as needed and am constantly striving to become a better version of myself. 4. Home Building Vision Consistent and intentional time together strengthens our humility, care, and love for one another. 5. Home Management Vision Simple Systems ensure everyone takes responsibility for their domain and contributes to an orderly communal space. Many steps lay between this vision and where I am now. The Simplicity Survey is a tool I created to measure my progress as I begin working toward it. Want to join me on this journey? Take the survey! Then, schedule a meeting with me to design actionable next steps together. If this vision does not align with your life, create your own. We can use our meeting time to work on this. Concerned about being slammed with marketing emails, up-sales, or hidden fees? There are none! I am not here to complicate things for you. I am a business owner, working mother, wife, creator, and avid volunteer. I am looking for other women leaders and mothers who want to work their way back to a simpler, more focused, and more connected lifestyle. |
AuthorLife is complicated! Complexities are inescapable. Sadly, we make it harder on ourselves than it has to be. We are our own worst enemies. I am a nonprofit Founder & CEO, a mother, wife, avid volunteer, and so much more. I am a visionary, creative expert, and I LOVE learning. I strive for perfection that is non-existent, want to be all things for all people (which is impossible) and carry peace with me wherever I go. This, my friends, is exhausting! Aside from the heightened complications I provide myself, endless choices, opportunities, and change heighten the complexity around me. My Search for Simplicity in 2023 is an authentic pursuit of three specific criteria: my relationship with God, my relationship with myself, and my impact on this world. This blog will be a conduit for me to share my personal journey and the tools & resources I build to support it. I invite you to take part in this journey with me. To access all our tools and resources as they are developed, follow our Facebook Page. Alternatively, you can pop on the site week-to-week for new content. Finally, I am not in this space alone. If you are ready to simplify your life as well, let's connect! ArchivesCategories
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