The grounding that yoga brings serves us as a simplifying force in order to stabilize our minds. When grounded, we plug back into our best selves and become fully present and balanced. Our energy stabilizes. Once centered, we are able to clearly see the circumstances of our lives. We no longer over-respond or over-worry because the static noise of chaos doesn’t pull us apart.

“Worry is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do but won’t get you very far.” -Proverb

Simplify. Be Inspired. Love Yourself. Love your Day. Love your Life.

That’s my mission. The hardest part has turned out to be the first one, simplifying. Life naturally seems to be about addition and society pushes us to do more and more. Honestly, it feels highly uncomfortable to go against the norm, do less, and let go of the “more is better” mentality. This cycle of consumption is everywhere and it’s easy to buy into it, literally buying stuff we don’t need.

In an effort to live my mission and Simplify even further. I choose to make this year about  letting go even more than ever before. I’ve never worked harder to release distractions that clutter my life. Inspired by Safire Rose poem (see below), I let go of fear, judgments, opinions, perfect reasons, advice, worry, my past, and all the right timings.

I have been an official digital nomad since January 6, 2017 when my Seattle, Washington, USA home sold and I put my final things in storage July 25, 2017 when I left Santa Cruz, California, USA. I’ve simplified to 2 suitcases and a backpack on this journey of simplicity.

I wasn’t sure what I’d find at the start, but I can say that this has been my version of walking the Camino di Santiago. Yes, maybe I will go on to do this pilgrimage too. But for now, the one I’m on has been profound. The learnings are life changing. From my experiment I offer you these ways you too can Simplify your life.

1. STUFF. Give away things you don’t need. Clothes, furniture, equipment, anything and every sort of stuff. Just let it go.

2. MIND. Quiet your mind. Let go of the thoughts you don’t need to replay over and over. Stop rehearsing the future. Practice seated mindfulness meditation for 3 minutes a day. Empty out what you don’t need in your head for less brain clutter.

3. TIME. Reduce time on line. Let go of the habit to numb out by watching hours of tv every day. Make a point to limit your screen time. Take digital detox regularly. Enjoy a social media cleanse every now and again. Edit the apps on your smart phone, you don’t need all that stuff. Put healthy boundaries to responding to email. Choose what you say Yes to.

At the very least, consider letting go of something small. Start there. I didn’t get to where I am overnight. Trying is worth the effort because simplifying increases our happiness, I promise you that. Ultimately, you can think of simplifying as the most straight forward way to practice Spiritual Maintenance to love yourself, love your day, love your life!

She let go By Rev. Safire Rose

Without a thought or a word, she let go.

She let go of fear.

She let go of judgments.

She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head. She let go of the committee of indecision within her.

She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.

She didn’t ask anyone for advice.

She didn’t read a book on how to let go. She just let go. She let go of all the memories that held her back.

She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.

She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.

She didn’t promise to let go.

She didn’t journal about it.

She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.

She made no public announcement.

She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. She just let go.

She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.

She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.

She didn’t utter one word. She just let go.

No one was around when it happened. There was no applause or congratulations. No one thanked her or praised her. No one noticed a thing. Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.

There was no effort. There was no struggle.

It wasn’t good. It wasn’t bad. It was what it was, and it is just that. In the space of letting go, she let it all be.

A small smile came over her face. A light breeze blew through her.

And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.