keeping life simple even when it’s not.

completely devoted print by SOOuK

My space here has been quiet. My whole ethos of keeping life simple so it leaves space for the important things, has felt stretched. A simple home for me over the last few months has involved too much – a ‘not so simple’ home you might say. A lot has been self inflicted; the house extension being the main culprit and a change in my work being the other…consuming far more mind space than I would have liked. But other areas have demanded of me that are just part of the dynamic and normal struggles of life; emotional support for family, longer conversations at bedtime, difficult journeys through messy and unavoidable situations. So, although I have maintained a presence on instagram with @gatheredthreads, it is this little corner has been the area that has given.

And I think that’s ok. Seasons require us to make decisions, some of these decisions are made without you realising and ultimately family life will always sit at the top of my ladder. Other things that aren’t essential usually drop off the radar, whatever they might be.

However I have missed it. This space allows me an outlet. It is an encouragement to draw out the maker in myself and it often helps me process and voice things that would often lie dormant.

Part of our extension involved clearing *a lot* of stuff – something I have enjoyed doing over the last 6 months. I have realised that even those things that I have boxed up to keep for this new space might well end up in a black bin bag of sorts! And I love the minimalist nature of our new space. It’s easy to clean and tidy, it feels open and spacious – it makes me feel ‘light’ in our home – does that even make sense?? This little corner above is my home within home. My simple corner. I love sitting here, writing my bullet diary, listening to podcasts, or reading with a cup of coffee. I make myself sit here because it slows my pace down and makes me stop. It has helped keep me on track.

I am passionate about keeping life simple. To keep it simple to allow space for those things that are the important things of life but I feel I have lost a little of that this year – thinking I could make space for these important things just by staying calm on the outside. I have found I have taken on too much, said ‘yes’ to some things that have become all consuming and have found myself overwhelmed. And I don’t like how I feel. So the carving begins again. The important stuff stays and the balancing act begins of what stays and what goes.

I have decided I want Gathered Threads to stay and that I want a different area to ‘give’! Do you ever find this? Something always has to give?

Sometimes I wonder if the simple life is this elusive ideal we are striving for. Life is messy, complicated and excitable and often all at the same time – jumbling over each other for our attention. Can it be busy and simple? I do think it can be, I honestly think the pursuit of less or rather the pursuit of a simple life allows us to enjoy the ‘more’ – the important stuff in all its messiness. And I kindof hope I’m not alone!!

What does it look like for you? What is the thing that ‘gives’ to keep it all simple?