5 tips to simplify your life and create more

Thoughts on the emotional journey of being creative

Why does life get more complicated every year? Even though life is quantum leaps better, the evolution of technology makes every aspect of our lives more complex. Complexity relates to things hard to separate, analyze, or solve (Merriam-Webster). Being able to create from complexity is a skill we must master.

How do we create more and thrive in chaos and complexity? One answer is to strive for simplicity in our work, our environment, and our relationships.

Benefits of simplicity

Simplicity is uncomplicated, bears no pretense or guile, and contains a directness of expression. (Adapted from Merriam-Webster) It is of course, easier to talk about than to do. Actually, simplicity is a state of mind, a beingness in the way we approach life. The benefits of adopting an attitude of simplicity include improvements in relationships, health, finances, and careers.

I’ve found that a meditation practice helps me with a simplicity mindset, so that I don’t get overwhelmed with ideas, to-dos, issues, and problems. I can approach my day in a calm manner and realize when I’m over-complicating something.

For me, moving toward simplicity is also about choice. An important decision I made to reduce complexity in my life was to resign from a lucrative corporate contract. I felt tied to the money so I explored what was in it for me besides the money. During meditation sessions, I listened to my heart and intuition and finally acknowledged the impact on my health and well-being from the stress, travel, and long hours. It took courage to leave, but since then, I have more time to devote to my creative pursuits, and I experience more peace, better health and relationships.

To live in an uncomplicated way requires us to purge the unnecessary, the extraneous, the things that don’t bring meaning or pleasure to our lives. — Kathy Garland

I’ve worked with clients for many years to help them with the confidence and clarity to eliminate projects that don’t align with their vision. When they have the courage to do this, they free up energy for the pursuits that matter to them, whether personal or professional. You can schedule a complimentary consultation with me to find clarity on how you can simplify your work and life.

One prominent design firm owner I consulted with felt exhausted and wanted to focus on her personal life. When pressed for what was draining her, she mentioned a board position she held and was reluctant to let go. When she realized the importance of taking care of her own needs first, she did move on so she could simplify her responsibilities and stay healthy to lead her firm.

Complexity and simplicity are Intertwined

Complexity can be your friend and lead to breakthroughs if you understand how to distill your ideas and information into a simple form that bears a directness of expression.

Michelangelo’s David is one of the world’s greatest sculptures, in my humble opinion. It took my breath away when I saw it standing on its pedestal. Being in the presence of such a powerful work of art invokes emotions of awe and inspiration. I have to say, the depiction of David’s physique and anatomical features was something to behold. Who goes naked into battle, anyway? It must have disarmed the giant! Of course, that’s Michelangelo’s creative vision and artistic license at work.

One wonders what inspired Michelangelo to create such magnificence. Having a superhuman, divine talent certainly was part of it. Yet, how complicated each chisel and carve must have been to uncover the magnificence from the giant block of marble. When asked how he created the beloved sculpture, Michelangelo said:

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set it free. — Michelangelo

Michelangelo carved away what wasn’t necessary. Isn’t that what writers and artists do? Don’t we work through complexity to set free our vision through words and visuals?

Photo by Kathy Garland of David’sMichelangelo, Galleria del’Accademia di Firenze

So how do we move from complexity toward simple?

I’ve found if I don’t work through complexity in a project, I may get stuck and overcomplicate it or abandon it. For tips on getting unstuck, read my post from last week.

Complexity and simplicity are intertwined, and we must move through the complexity to get to simplicity.

Alan Perlis, 1922-1990, was an American computer scientist and Professor at Purdue University, Carnegie Mellon University and Yale University. He said:

Simplicity does not precede complexity but follows it. — Alan Perlis

Another quote on simplicity from a famous composer:

Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art. — Frederic Chopin

It’s genius to be able to distill complex ideas into something simple that communicates a strong message or evokes emotion. Michelangelo, Chopin, and Perlis had to navigate through complex problems and complications in their lives so the miracles they created could be set free. I’ve included a YouTube video below of Chopin’s greatest work that you can play in the background while you work. Simple, peaceful, beautiful.

5 Tips to simplify your life so you can create more

Here are five approaches I use that you can apply to simplify your life:

1. Pay attention to areas of your life where you feel overwhelmed and stressed. Do they align with your values and your deepest desires? Take small steps to transition away from people, situations, and commitments that take you away from your desires and visions.

2. Reduce your exposure to people who are negative and spread drama. This takes up too much of your precious emotional well-being that you can use to set your ideas free.

3.  Ask yourself if you’re striving for perfection. Be realistic. I have to remind myself often that progress is more important than perfection. Perfectionism can create dysfunctional control, stress, delays, and difficulty with relationships. Excellence is good for your emotional well-being and worth striving for.

4. When you need to decide on something big, narrow your options to two or three. Don’t try to analyze more than that. Again, tend to your emotional energy.

5. Set specific goals for your project. What do you want to accomplish with this project? Whether visual or verbal art, what emotions do you want to evoke? Is there something you want to master? By taking a few minutes to identify specific goals for each project, you’ll find clarity in your work.

This week, I’m taking an online art class and my goal is to explore concepts I could use for drawings or paintings to include as graphics in my historical fiction novel. Stating my goal and intention ahead of time directs my intention so I’m not ‘all over the place.’

When you transition away from situations, people, and projects that you feel add too much complexity in your life, then let them go with grace. Have gratitude for what that situation, person or project offered you. It’s time to move on.

In doing so, internal guidance from your soul, through your intuition and heart, is more available to you. That generates an abundant flow of emotional energy and clarity for your creative projects.

Thank you for being here and I encourage you to comment below with what you do to avoid complications and move toward simplicity.

The Light in Us is about the emotional journey of being creative and how we can manage our emotions to achieve our goals. I’ll share my journey to complete and publish my historical fiction novel. I’m currently revising my first draft.

In my business, I help creative entrepreneurs simplify their lives and untangle the emotions that keep them from reaching their goals.