“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.”
Lao Tzu
What do you hope to teach? I saw this editorial of Shalom Harlow for US InStyle March 2020 and instantly thought of how simplicity and minimalism is so striking, and still beautiful. I haven’t always been a minimalist (ex-hoarder here), but am finding a simpler way of life satisfying. So it’s certainly a lesson I hope to teach as well to my little ones.
I used to love to collect so many little things. I’d treasure every scrap of paper from a museum pamphlet to receipts of items I really liked (hmm, maybe to remember the prices?) When I went on a trip, I’d have to bring home postcards and t-shirts from each place as well. I couldn’t bear to part with my stuffed animals, and kept on amassing more, even into adulthood. So I just had a lot of random stuff. Then I moved abroad and was in a smaller space. Slowly, I began to change my perspective, because I had to really think about what I wanted to keep in my apartment! While I loved traveling, did I really need little trinkets I’d barely pay attention to again? I wasn’t really going to look at every scrap of paper right? I’m not completely there, but am now editing and simplifying constantly.
Now, I simplify everything from my diet (grocery shopping and cooking are easier!) to my closet to my kids toys. I hold firm in not giving in and getting them every plastic gadget and toy. They are more thoughtful and seem pretty happy with what they have. I’m also happily simplifying my relationships. I try to devote and maintain relationships with people I really value. While I used to care more about pleasing others or having more friends, this doesn’t matter to me now. Simpler relationships make me happier. Hopefully, my kids truly understand the value of simplicity. It’s taken me a few decades to get it, but it’s something I treasure now.
Have a lovely week!
SImplicity is definitely the way to go in life and I swear that less is more. I wish I had learned this much earlier n life.