Inviting Simplicity

We say we want simplicity. However, modern life invites complexity. There are so many moving parts and time-bound commitments. There is so much demand for our attention, our energy, our money. There is too much information to consume and too many choices to make. A microcosm of this issue was pointed out to me by a dear friend who is from another country: we have too many toilet paper choices!

It’s important to remember that our minds are wired to solve complex problems. This is one of the primary reasons we humans ended up running the place. The shadow is that complexity can be quite addicting. The pleasure hit of accomplishment or achievement is so strong that our mind will make up problems to solve. Isn’t that what worry is? Or overthinking? Complexity makes our ego feel good but it makes our soul sad.

Another shadow of complexity is that it is a business model. Much of the consulting industry runs on the promise of solving complex problems and that’s what executives are willing to pay for. All of which creates a kind of monetized co-dependency where most problems are either perpetuated or re-purposed as new problems to solve. There is a similar dynamic with the media industry.

As we enter into 2021, I invite you to invite simplicity into your life. Here are a few ways to do that:

• Watch for box-checking behaviors. In order to…