Overwhelmed? 7 Ways to make things simple.

In the book No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering, author Thich Nhat Hanh tells the story of Badhiya.

Badhiya was in command of many soldiers, was in a very powerful position, and had a lot of money. He was persuaded to become a monk and finally gave in, leaving everything behind and walking empty-handed into the forest. He then had three robes, one ball and a setting mat.

One night when meditating, he spontaneously started muttering “Oh, my happiness”.

Other monks heard and asked him the next morning what it meant. And he said that in his life he had so many things and even soldiers guarding him but was always afraid robbers would come in and kill him or take his valuables. He lived in fear day and night; but the previous night he realized he now had nothing to lose. For the first time, he felt safe. He had nothing and, yet, finally had everything.

A word that came up in client discussions this week is “simple”.

The more we have, the more complex things can become, and the more we worry about losing them. At what point does this affect our happiness?

Taking a moment to recognize what may not be simple for you can be key to making changes to reduce what may be cluttered in our lives.

Here are some ways to do this.

What is cluttered in my head now? Do a brain dump. I am a huge fan of this! Getting everything out of your head and on paper helps you see it in a different way and can provide relief.

What things can I not do, or can I not do now? Notice what you may have been in the habit of doing that isn’t necessary anymore or at this time.

What items do I not have any control over? Recognize those things that you may be trying to control or fix that you do not have ownership of. Make a mental note to set them aside.

What relationships do I need to end or reduce? We have relationships at different times for different reasons. Relationships can be cyclical and sometimes they need to end and new ones to start.

What can I train someone else to do? I have not been a good delegator but have become better when looking at delegation in this way. When I can train someone else to do a task that I don’t want to do or don’t like to do, it is a way to help in their development or give them business. Delegating can be a form of mentorship.

What is my best next step to take? If it is a larger issue with many steps that are either unclear or overwhelming, simply looking at the best next step for you helps to break it down so you can move forward.

What am I to learn in this very moment? When we have a lot to do and a lot on our minds, it is easy to mentally be with those things and not be in the present moment. Reminding yourself to simply be in the present moment and asking yourself what it is you are to learn or notice at this very time can be enlightening.

When we continually add more to our to-do lists or experiences or have a situation arise that affects us, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. Reducing what we have is a simple concept in itself, but not always easy.

How can you live in simplicity today?