Simplify, simplify. A simpler, less busy life is what many of us long for. A life that’s uncluttered and downsized, with more time to relax and just enjoy being. I’m all about wanting to clear out the unimportant so I can focus on what’s really important. Are you wanting that too?
Clearing away the unimportant things, whether it’s a too-busy schedule or a cluttered room, helps create “quiet” in your life. The other day I read something that helps explain this mindset of simplifying things–this journey of creating a less crazy, more simplified life:
The journey of these years have been toward quiet–toward creating quiet around me, but more than that, toward creating quiet within me, which is much more difficult, and much more profound.
I’m amazed at how many things are ultimately connected: I like living in our home more when it’s less full of stuff. I find it easier to get dressed in the morning when I have fewer choices.
I’ve begun wandering through our house, gathering things up–less, less, less. And in my closet–less, less, less. I’m creating quiet in our home, on our walls, in my own closet, and that quiet gives me energy. The simplicity feels spacious, and inspiring, like I can draw a clean breath.
–Shauna Niequist, Present Over Perfect
I’ve read that having a lot of “stuff” is actually stressful. The more “stuff” you own, the more time you spend taking care of it, worrying about it, repairing it. It’s easier to focus on what’s important when you’re not surrounded with unnecessary clutter and distractions. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We can miss out on quite a bit, especially hearing God speak to us, when we’re too busy to take the time to “be still.” Or too busy to take the time to rest. Mark 6:31 tells how Jesus invited His disciples to “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” We all need time to rest and recharge!
So I’m encouraged to keep on moving toward a simpler life—less clutter, less busy, more quiet, more rest. Are you on that journey too?
NancyC 
15 responses to “Creating Quiet”
Love this!
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Thanks, Robyn! I’m on a mission to simplify things! 🙂
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Not until I retired a few months ago did I realize how much “stuff” I had. I suppose working all day and returning home to rest didn’t afford me the time to “look around”. I now find myself tackling a closet a day to rid myself of things I didn’t even know I had. Even in the dish closet – just how many coffee mugs does one need?
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Yes, it’s funny how easy it is for us to collect more and more “stuff” without realizing it–and then forgetting what we have! I like to do a closet at a time, too–makes going through things a little more do-able! 🙂
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I have done this with our home. Amazing how much lighter you feel.The scripture Be still and know speaks to me daily. I sit in the presence of our Lord and praise every moment of every day. The clearing of the STUFF just gives freshness to my home and my spirit.
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Yes, Denise, it IS amazing how “light” we feel when we have less “stuff”–having lots of unnecessary, meaningless things can really weigh a person down!
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Funny how God works!
I’ve over committed myself for at least the next 4 weeks and for the last month or so, I have had the unction to simplify, simplify, simplify! It started in the house; as I came across items no longer loved, needed or used, into a box for donation it went! Then, we worked on the garage. A full truckload later, more peace. We haven’t finished, but already there is a calmness that comes over me when I am not slapped in the face with “stuff”!
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I feel the same way, Marijo, as I go thru “stuff”–less clutter definitely makes home more peaceful and calm!
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[…] Nancy – Be Still And Know […]
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Thanks for sharing this much-needed article at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy Nancy – I’m so happy to feature you this week! 🙂
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Thanks so much for including me in your features! 🙂
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Nancy, I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been going back & forth from my folks (more forth than back) and they are clutterbugs. I wouldn’t say hoarders but like many elderly people, they just kept everything. It just weighed on me every moment – all the clutter to my eyes was like hearing a buzz or a hum all the time. No place to rest them. Now they’re moving you wouldn’t believe the work.
My home isn’t minimalist by any means but it’s calm, cool and serene and now I’m motivated to get rid of a LOT of things as soon as I get home! 🙂
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That’s great! I’m continuing to declutter, and it feels so good!
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🙂
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[…] simplify my life and declutter my home. I wrote a little about this in a past post of mine called Creating Quiet…about clearing out the unimportant, whether it’s activities or clutter, and focusing on […]
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