I’ve always found it hard to keep things simple. My computer contains my life and it also reflects my life because just like my computer my brain has too many tabs open! Every single tab relates to an on going project, often left up because I forget the bookmark function exists, and they also double up as a reminder! These tabs are a visual representation of how full my mind is, and every time my machine is open I am reminded of this fact.
It is in my nature to not only keep my mind full of projects, but also to over complicate things, and frankly I feel like the two are connected. It is as if I’m drawn to busyness like a moth to a flame in every area of my life. Even when it comes to fashion my mind will remind me that the icon Iris Apfel famously says “More is more, less is a bore.”
My GSCE art teacher was the first person to call me out on my natural ability to fill. During art projects he would repeatedly remind me that I should “keep it simple”. In fact it is his voice that I still hear in my head today when I’ve caught myself over complicating things again.
Why keeping it simple is better
Keeping it simple is a better way to live. According to research keeping things simple helps to reduce our brain fog and improves our ability to focus. It also increases our joy levels, and gives us more energy for what we do.
Think about when you go on holiday, or take a spontaneous break. You strip away the complexities of life, the to do lists disappear, and the routine goes out of the window. Leaving you holding on to the small things that truly matter to you. When we get back home these freshly discovered values get replaced by the old routine at a shockingly rapid pace. Things become overwhelming again and the fog returns.
The Revelation
Here’s where I suddenly understood everything. You see simple doesn’t always equal less, simple is actually the absence of unnecessary things. Let me repeat that; Simple doesn’t always equal less, simple is the absence of unnecessary things.
Our job then, or so I have concluded, is to work out what is necessary. Whether that’s in our life schedule, what we want to post on social media, or even the clothes we buy.
Which tabs do I actually need open? I could argue the case for all of them if I’m honest! If I’m even more honest, one or two could definitely go. Since writing this article I have closed a vast majority of my tabs and my life does feel a little bit lighter for it.
Drawing it simple Challenge
I often like to do random drawing tasks which reset my brain when it comes to this sort of thing. No one see’s these creations, they are all purely for me, however I’d like to share one of them with you today. Why not give it a go yourself and see if it helps you reset your brain and work out what is necessary.
All you need is something to draw on and something to draw with.
Step One:
Draw a shape, any shape at all. It doesn’t even have to be in the middle, which I bet many of you automatically do. Place it where ever you fancy. Remember, don’t over think it.
Step Two:
Begin to add lines to your shape. Give it features, marks, characteristics. Again, don’t over think it.
Step Three:
When you think you’re done, then you’re done. Don’t feel the need to add more. Admire what you’ve drawn. I wonder what your simple shape has become. Maybe it’s now a bee buzzing around flowers, or a monster eating an ice cream. It doesn’t really matter because what matters is you took some time to slow down and kept it simple. In the moment you focused only on the lines that were necessary.
Bonus activity:
It’s quite fun (or at least I find it fun) to draw the same shape for other people and give them the same challenge. It is very rare that the same picture is drawn out of the same shape. Everyone’s mind wanders down a different route, and it’s amazing.
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