The beauty of simple things
Simple things can inspire wonders. If only we allow them to.
Based on personal experience, I feel simple things can help us find rest, grow on a personal & spiritual level, inspire ideas, and even help to develop a skill. In this blog post, I share my insights to how I go about discovering simple things and how they benefit me.
As an introvert HSP (highly-sensitive personality) (which I only learned about myself during the pandemic), I can get overstimulated and overwhelmed quite easily by being exposed to “too much” (noise, smells, activity) and I’m generally sensitive to topics relating to trauma, abuse, or violence. I also process things on a deeper level which means I can take longer to come to tough decisions or form an opinion, as I want to get all the information first before deciding.
I always use to think there was something wrong with me because my reactions were so strong in the face of these things. I chalked it up to anxiety, working too much, or just being indecisive.
While being HSP may seem like a liability, I’ve started to see it as a super-power. Being HSP also makes me highly empathic, compassionate, and intuitive. I can feel people’s moods or emotions within a minute or two of being around them. I also take in lots of little details, making me a keen observer of the world around me and thoughtful when it comes to making decisions.
Since this HSP trait can be intense at times, I MUST have down time for my well-being and give me space to process stimuli. And my simple things have allowed me to do just that.
For me, simple things consist of the basics and usually mindless tasks; Walking, drinking, eating, sitting, relaxing, even breathing. This can sometimes look like nothing from the outside. Oh, but what joy that can bring!
So when YOU think of “simple things”, what comes to mind?
To know what those simple things are for you, unplug and see what you’re inclined to do - or not do.
Is it sitting on a beach?
Napping?
Doodling?
Reading a book?
Soaking in a hot bath?
People watching?
Observing nature?
Meditating?
There’s no wrong answer! But I will say these simple things should be rooted in mindfulness, nothingness, or offer some kind of rest. Maybe even some escapism.
How do we indulge in our simple things?
We can indulge in our simple things by simply making time for them.
Making time for your simple things should be a conscious decision and moment in your day where you purposely decide to decompress. To stop working. To take a lunch break. To throw away the chores list. To forget that your phone exists. In exchange for something simple.
But why explore simple things?
Simple things require little effort. Or should, at least.
They should also offer a sense of calm and rest, joy and fulfillment. Even peace. This hopefully a refreshing shift from your busy day and overfilled schedule.
Simple things can help us become more mindful. Bringing us right into the present moment.
A lot of my best ideas come from places where I’m not actively “thinking” about something but am in the moment. Like enjoying the forest on a hike, baking. Heck, even showering!
Mindfulness allows our brain to turn off from “task mastering” and let thoughts come and go with ease. With that may come new thoughts and ideas. An area in our body that needs attention. Or bubble up some nagging thoughts that might need addressing.
Many people get mindfulness from meditation. However, I like walking meditations when I simply unplug, walk, and use my senses to tap into the environment around me.
Simple things can be a place where the best memories are made. With or without loved ones.
My best “simple thing” memory is wading in the water on a hot summer day at my grandparents house - which backed on to a river.
We swam, collected rocks, cleaned up the shoreline, and floated around on inner tubes. There was nothing to do. No goals to achieve. No where to go. No obligations or deadlines.
While this was indeed a privilege, I’m still able to create memories similar to this in my backyard or at a local park. Location is only a small part of this memory-building.
Simple things allow us the space to be observers of an experience since you’re not rushing around, focused on a task, or eyeballs deep in a phone. You’re present. In that moment. With no distractions (hopefully) and simply “experiencing” what’s in front of you.
What simple things do you love and what do they do for you? Share your story below!
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