Less Is More
Imagine a horse, packed with a load of heavy bags. This is a slow arduous journey, one that takes time and energy and very little speed. Now think of yourself, and instead of these heavy bags, think of the many roles you play and the many masks you wear each day, year by year. Can you feel the burden, and this constant leak of energy? What would happen if we could let go of those masks, the roles that no longer serve us?
Most of us could do with less weight. I am not talking about physical pounds; I am referring to emotional and mental baggage that we are carrying with us - the time we spend on non-essential things, activities we engage in to numb a deep dissatisfaction with life and the roles we play to fit into a group, into society, and to feel accepted and acknowledged.
We work more and yet our efforts do not seem equal to the fruits. We collect an astounding amount of material items, yet we feel empty. We travel further and further, we read more and more books, we attend more and more events, yet we still feel lonely and disconnected.
Our minds process roughly 50,000 thoughts a day, with limited mental resources for quality decisions. And yet, many of us tend to micro-manage life, holding onto control wherever we can. Living without a constant stimulus of sensory information is a challenge in this day and age. No wonder we feel overwhelmed, disconnected, empty and often ill from exhausted adrenals. Fatigue, food cravings, sleep disorders, the inability to handle stress well, irritability and anxiety are just some of the more obvious symptoms of adrenal fatigue.
Being too busy or too numbed to notice the concoction of hormonal imbalance, emotional overwhelm and tiredness, our inner critic pushes even more harshly to get us to do more and more. An endless list of pressure points from existential worries, clashes between old and emerging beliefs, social pressure to conform keeps us so occupied with ourselves that we miss out realizing we are BEINGS and not DOINGS.
We fail to realize that being in stillness allows us to reconnect with ourselves, invites us to examine whether we still have to wear those masks and live in roles long outdated. Perhaps we could let some of them go? Or are we too afraid to face those parts of ourselves that we don't like to see?
Failures, rejections, doubts and low self-confidence are hardly what we want to admit to anyone, including ourselves.
Do we keep ourselves so busy to avoid an honest look within and to cover up what we can't accept in ourselves?
What would it feel like to be able to explore a different perspective, a new way of being, free of the past?
If you took a few moments to quietly listen to your heart, to your body, you would notice that your body craves for release, ease, and a slower pace. Our body can react in split seconds to prevent an accident and our mind can make decisions quicker than our awareness, but did you know that it takes about seven hours for the body to absorb an adrenalin rush? Within these seven hours, you probably would have experienced myriads of new situations that again triggered a release of adrenalin. Where is the time for your body to calm down, relax and rejuvenate?
Less is more.
Not only does this concept apply to minimalistic design and zen furnishing, but also the consumption of certain foods, and many other aspects of life.
Suggestions to experience “less is more”
Prioritize your goals. What is essential, what can be put on hold? Our way of living today quickly reduces our internal energy resources. It is time to evaluate what we want to spend that energy on.
"What for?" is a fabulous question to ask before taking up another activity, such as saying yes to someone's request or signing up for another workshop.
Examine your belief system, expectations, projections, masks, and roles. Which of those cause stress and disharmony within?
Shedding the past the way the snake sheds her skin in one whole piece allows for lighter travels in life.
Schedule time for yourself in your busy work schedule. Spend time to nurture your soul. Reflection and stillness allows us to get in touch with deeper parts of who we are. By pausing and stepping away from the frantic pace once in a while, we may find the way back to our heart and from there connect to others and the world again in a much more meaningful way.
We may discover our true values, see the beauty in the unexpected, and appreciate life’s moments as a path to bring greater meaning and happiness into the world.In silence, you will find yourself.
Less is more.
Contact me to discuss how I can help you to shed old beliefs or get in touch with lost or buried parts of yourself to find back meaning and happiness.