Simplicity: The Ultimate Sophistication

Maria Gracia Web Photo

Maria Gracia

Today’s blog post is provided by the “Queen Of Organizing”, Maria Gracia.

Do you find yourself drawn to the elegant, peaceful room photos in home magazines and online? Do you look at gorgeously put-together people and wonder how on earth they manage it?

Do you find yourself at the point of chaos on a daily basis, and long for something a bit less frantic?

Habits that encourage simplicity are a fantastic way to fulfill a desire for elegance and sophistication in every area of life. Consider the following:

1) Simplicity in Your Spaces

Whether at work or at home, maintaining only those items that you find useful or beautiful leaves you with streamlined spaces that feel inherently more peaceful. Consider taking a snapshot of your current spaces. Then spend a bit of time mentally creating the space you’d love to walk into. You may be a lot closer to your ideal than you initially think. From streamlining, to simple rearrangement, to painting and refurbishment, you can simplify to your ideal point of beauty and serenity.

At work, treat your spaces as a peaceful extension of home. Do you need to reorganize your files or desktop? What could be visually simplified to be more functional? Something as simple as condensing personal photos from multiple frames or pin-ups into a single flip-style photo album can bring polished refinement to the space. A single fantastic mug, your favorite pen, a lovely plant… having one great version of your useful tools lets you enjoy the restful simplicity of your workspace, regardless of the busy pace of your tasks.

2) Simplicity in Your Schedule

Examine your obligations and commitments. Are you feeling frantic because you’re living in the thick of thin things?

Sometimes it’s necessary to streamline your schedule, and carefully include activities that restore your sense of
worth and fulfillment. It’s nice to be needed, but be frank: are you saying yes to every invitation because you feel insecure about your own worth? Seeking simplicity in how you use your time can restore a better balance, and help you focus on commitments that make the most of your
unique abilities, and fulfill both your needs and the needs of others.

Are there patterns to your work life, positive or negative?

Look for ways to streamline your use of time at work, and you’ll be on your way to your goal of the in-control, relaxed work style you crave. This could be as easy as printing shipping labels at your desk and arranging package pickups, rather than running out to the shipping carrier three times a week, or grouping all your email correspondence for a half-hour block early in the day. Small changes toward simplicity in your use of time can make a big impact on the rest of your day.

3) Simplicity in Your Habits

It’s too easy to add, add, add. Take time to refine your habits, remove lingering remnants of old habits, and gain a more polished end result. Find the three cleaning products you love and use most, and toss the rest. Find the health or beauty regimen that suits your needs best, and free yourself from the dregs of past attempts. Curate a simple wardrobe that meets your daily needs and delights your personal sense of style, and clear out everything that doesn’t work for you.

Have you fallen into ruts with your habits at work?

Choose just one aspect of your work life and find a way to restore conscious simplicity to your habit. Something as small as requesting email-receipt notification for only the most vital messages, or training yourself to write focused, clear messages and email can bring greater efficiency to your communication habits, and a much more graceful pace to your work.

4) Simplicity in Your Mind

Many times, outer chaos is just a signal of inner turmoil. Cultivate your inner sophistication with the studied use of ‘mind-drain’ brainstorming and project lists when you’re feeling overwhelmed, with choosing to express gratitude or thanks in the moment, rather than at some later date, or
with relaxation and meditation practice. ‘Inner peace’ looks different for every person, but everyone can take one chaotic element and choose a different way to handle those stresses. Being able to find serenity within your own mind, regardless of your external circumstances, is a fantastic
key to greater refinement and simplicity in even challenging circumstances.

In pursuit of your ideal lifestyle, where will you seek the ultimate sophistication of simplicity?

0 Responses to “Simplicity: The Ultimate Sophistication”


  • No Comments

Leave a Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *