Want an answer? Just keep it simple.

I’m starting to understand more and more lately, the importance of keeping it simple.

I don’t just mean the usual stuff we talk about when it comes to simplifying our lives - you know, doing a spring clean to get rid of old stuff, enjoying the ‘little things’ in life, and that sort of thing (although that’s important too, of course). What I’m referring to is simplifying our thoughts.

All of those potentially life changing decisions we keep trying to make, the choices we’re presented with that cause us confusion, and the fact that we’re so often overanalysing and making ourselves crazy (or even miserable) over things that we really don’t need to be tormenting ourselves over. Life doesn’t need to be that complicated - it really doesn’t - and this is something that I am only just beginning to fully understand myself. For instance, let’s say you’ve been considering leaving a well paid career to follow your true passion of starting your own business. You’ll likely go back and forth, stressing yourself out with all the possible scenarios, never really making a firm decision, and quite possibly, never fulfilling that dream because of the fear and doubt that consumes you. What if I end up broke? What if it fails? What if I give away a great job for nothing? What if I regret leaving? What if this, what if that? And, you’ll never know. Meanwhile, you remain in a job that provides security, sure, but never truly brings you the sense of fulfilment you’re yearning for. Here’s another example. You’ve met someone and while you enjoy their company and everything seems to be moving along quite nicely, you’re careful not to let them in too much, because...What if it doesn’t work out? What if I get my heart broken? What if this person isn’t actually right for me? What if I’m making a big mistake? Again, if you go down the road of questioning everything too much, you’ll never know whether it would have worked out, had you opened your heart. You’ll never find out just how much joy this person could have possibly added to your life. Sure, maybe it wouldn’t have worked out anyway, but how will you ever know? And, are you willing to sacrifice your entire life journey because of fear?

It doesn’t matter what it is that you’re agonising about - whether it’s about moving on from or starting a relationship, changing careers, knowing whether you should take that overseas holiday, and the list goes on - try and take a step back for a moment and ask yourself what really matters, instead of stressing about all the ‘what if’s’. Instead, ask yourself one simple question: “Am I happy right now?” Don’t think about it. What comes up first? What comes from your soul? More often than not, this is the only answer you need in order to make your decision, because if you’re not happy with where you are right now, then something needs to change, doesn’t it? Let’s break it down even further - to the point where you don’t even need to ask yourself anything. Would you even be questioning your life, or stressing yourself out over something if you were truly happy? The mere fact that you’re going back and forth on making a life changing decision says a lot, and again, there’s your answer. I completely understand that not everything in life is that simple, but what I’m trying to say is that with the big stuff - the stuff that has you wondering whether it’s time to shift your life’s direction - we have such a habit of tearing ourselves apart making these decisions, when the answer is staring us right in the face, and usually has been for some time. If we would just take a moment to simplify it, then we would save ourselves a shitload of pain and confusion. “Sometimes the questions are complicated, and the answers are simple.” - Dr Seuss