Less.
We’ve heard the phrase “less is more.”
But can this phrase actually be the catch-all solution we think (hope) it is?
Maybe.
One of my favorite pieces of the Spirit-led Life Design curriculum is an assessment. You can do this assessment in the transition from one quarter to the next, or from one year to the next. In this section, you brainstorm in the following sections:
MORE (things you’re already doing but want to do more of)
DIFFERENT (things you’re already doing but need to do differently)
BETTER (things you’re already doing but half-assing, or need to improve)
I did this process for a number of years, until two years ago I realized something very crucial was missing:
LESS.
Things you’re doing but want to do less frequently, or not at all.
You don’t need me to explain how we live in a culture of excess. We all know it. The bigger-better-faster-more American mentality has dug us in a deep hole of debt, disease, and planetary destruction. And yet, we’re used to it. Addicted to it.
Are we really willing to cut back?
Are we actually willing to embody the wisdom of “less is more” and not simply give it lip service?
Last week I wrote this article on the archetypal energy of the sacred sword, which is all about making cuts and using your wise discernment.
The next day, my friend sent me this potent article on the red pen, which is essentially another facet of a sword.
The energy of less invites us to specify.
To hone.
To cull.
To edit.
To choose. Wisely.
Because the truth is, we’ve all got an endless list of tasks, and passions, and hobbies, and skills, that we’d love to master and check off the bucket list.
But in reality, we’ve only got this one lifetime, here and now.
And it passes rather quickly, yah?
We can spend our lives chasing the next thing, endlessly seeking, being a Jack or Jill of all trades and master of none…. Or we can do less. Better.
(H/t Essentialism by Greg McKeown for that phrase, which is on the Spirit-Led Life Design reading list.)
Personally, my sails are pointed toward the seas of simplicity next year.
How about you?
Join me and a collective of soulful visionary planners for Spirit-led Life Design, a live planning challenge where you’ll map out a peaceful, expansive and abundant year ahead.
I’ll show you how doing less is the key to living more fully… and together we’ll make a plan to do less, better.
To sweet simplicity,
PS.
Yes, the sessions will all be recorded, and you’ll have lifetime access to all the materials.
PPS.
Did you know that SLLD has its own playlist? It is honestly the playlist I listen to most often, and it keeps getting better because I keep adding great songs to it. Filled with ambient grooves, focus-enhancing frequencies and gentle rhythms from around the globe. Get access to it when you join the challenge.