Simplify

Fall is my favorite season of the year. However, because I live in Southern California, I don’t really get to experience fall the same as many others do. I will admit that I am envious of those who really get to experience the “seasons,” but at the same time, mild temperatures pretty much all year round is not something I really complain about!

But fall really is my favorite time of the year. I start to feel the end of the year approaching. I like to stay home more and cook new meals I’ve never tried. I also find myself slowing down a bit more too. Instead of rushing in and out of the grocery store to quickly grab whatever I need, I like to stroll through and look at all the different foods I usually miss when I’m rushing.

I also like to take this time of year to reflect on what else I can subtract and simplify in my life. For example, I’m much more motivated to keep the house tidy and clutter-free, and the same goes for my schedule. I find myself saying “No” more often and become more mindful of not filling my schedule up.

Earlier this year, I finally finished reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs (it’s almost 600 pages!). It’s a great biography, by the way. But, this theme of simplification reminds me of Mr. Jobs. I would consider him to be the greatest simplifier. He made sure that his company Apple only made a few items but made them exceptionally well. He was also known for wearing the same thing everyday – a black turtleneck and jeans, so that he didn’t have to think about what he was going to wear each day. He would even paint all of the walls in his workplace white so that he didn’t have any unnecessary distractions that would keep him from exuding his greatest creativity. What’s more, he and his wife would have lengthy discussions before they bought any appliance or furniture that we would consider necessary to a home – things like a stove, sofa, lamps, etc. He’d say things like, “Why do we need a stove? Do we really need more than one sofa?”

While Steve was well known for his eccentric behavior, after reading about this, I thought, “You know, he’s really onto something here.” He simplifies and subtracts so that he can be creative and completely focus on doing a few things really, really well. It also reminded me of what Confucius said, “He who tries to catch two rabbits catches none.” In other words, when we have too many things going on or too many distractions pulling us in different directions, we are unable to focus on what really matters in our lives.

Today, maybe you feel as if you need to simplify and subtract something big or small from your life. Maybe that means saying “No” to things that are going to distract you from finishing the year off strong. Maybe it means taking less time with people and more time just hanging out doing things you love to do.

Today, if you’re so inclined, I challenge you to think about one thing you can do (or not do) to simply or subtract from your life right now.

I’d love to hear what you’ve chosen and why. As always, feel free to share your thoughts with me in the comments below.

Come see me speak LIVE at the Southern California Women’s Health Conference & Expo on Friday, October 31st! Admission for the conference is FREE, but you must register for the workshops. Register for my workshop at 9:30am and then stay for the rest! You’ll find many topics on women’s health that you will enjoy. My talk will be “Look, Feel, and Perform At Your Best in Your 50’s”.

Register here: http://www.socalhealthconference.com/workshops

Your health and wellness coach in your 50’s,
Kim