The Art of Simplifying – Part 1

Simplifying

21 Feb

Over the last few weeks and months, I've been "Simplifying" my life and home in readiness for the new year and some new batch of art I’m planning.

To be clear, I am not messy or disorganised (far from it – I love a well-designed storage space and am a bit OCD when it comes to colour coordinating my clothes in my wardrobe), but last year was busy for me – with lots of changes. As winter drew in, I felt I needed to quieten down, take stock and reassess a few things.

Sometimes it is so easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of our lives. We don't have the time and space to look at where we live, the possessions we surround ourselves with, and how and with whom we spend our time.

Taking a breath is a luxury.

So I embarked on a process of Simplification. It started with Marie Kondo's book Spark Joy (yes, I know I have an immaculately folded underwear drawer now), but it grew into something bigger. Something I knew in my heart.

For years I have said to anyone who will listen "only surround yourself with things you love". Only buy furniture that will get better with age, purchase a perfume you love and then wear it, buy gifts loved ones will cherish. But it is surprising how many (little and big) things I overlooked.

For me, I realised it wasn't just the possessions I owned that needed simplifying but how I approached my life too. I was so busy being creative and juggling many projects that I didn't have time to put my car keys back correctly. I would lose pencils, hair clips and yoga mats. Misplacing these little things would make me feel scattered, and I'd end up wasting time rushing around trying to find them.

So that has been my quest – to simplify my life and my art.

I wanted to find the calm quality that I love in my painting and extend that into all areas of my life. So I started clearing up the files on my computer and organising my photographs on Pinterest. I'm not perfect at it, but I am beginning to understand that all our surroundings affect our actions, and these make up the moments of our lives. For us to have a beautiful experience, we must be deliberate in all our choices, not just what we hang on our walls but what cutlery we eat our meals with and what books we read. We must know who we are right now, not who we've been and then make every new moment precious for they pass too quickly.

One practical thing that has had the most significant effect on me is organising my phone and computer and deleting anything I didn't need anymore. I wanted to feel calm and gentle when I checked my emails and messages, so I made this little background of my Jack Russell painting from last year to remind me of that lightness and sweetness I want in my life. If you would like a copy to put on your own computer or phone, you can get it here.

I hope you have a lovely last few precious weeks of Winter. I'll leave you with these lovely words from Mark Nepo: