What Does Choose Simple Really Mean?
I say “choose simple” often. It’s a little reminder I come back to in my work and in my own life, especially when I catch myself making something more complicated than it needs to be.
And yes, I do that too.
I can live by my to-do list. There is almost always something else to finish, organize, plan, or take care of. But having a list doesn’t mean everything on it needs to happen today.
Sometimes I need to pause and ask myself:
“How can I make this simple?”
One small thing can move you forward
When I’m working with clients, they often have no idea where to start. They can see everything that needs attention, and it’s hard to choose a first step when the whole project is staring back at them.
So we choose something simple. Something that feels easy to decide on.
Maybe we start with expired products in a bathroom cabinet. Maybe we gather the obvious trash or clear one small surface. That first step gives us a little momentum, and the next decision becomes easier.
It’s the old “How do you eat an elephant?” idea. One bite at a time.
You don’t have to figure out the entire project before you begin. Choose one simple thing that moves the needle forward.
Simple depends on the day
At home, choosing simple often means checking in with today’s energy.
What HAS to happen? What would help? What would be fun?
There is room for all three, but they don’t have to happen every day or in equal portions. Some days, the things that have to happen take most of what you have. Other days, there is more room for a project or something you enjoy.
After a long day, my simple might be ten minutes cleaning up the kitchen, setting out clothes for tomorrow, doing my skincare, and brushing my teeth.
Those small things help me feel more prepared for the next morning. I don’t need to clean the entire house or tackle every unfinished project before bed. If I want to work on a project and have the energy, I can choose that too.
And sometimes, simple is sitting with a cup of coffee and reading before the day begins. Making a little room for something peaceful counts.
Make your routines realistic
It’s easy to turn a helpful routine into another long list.
But what can you really do each night? Even when you’re tired? Even when the day didn’t go as planned?
Start there.
A routine you can repeat might only have two or three things in it. You can build on it later if you need to. It doesn’t need to become a fifteen-step nighttime routine to help you.
Choosing simple can also mean pausing before a busy day or week to look at what’s coming. A few minutes of planning can help you see what needs to be ready, instead of feeling caught off guard or already behind.
Sometimes a little preparation now makes things simpler in the moment.
Consider what your home asks of you
The more we own, the more we maintain.
Every item we bring home needs something from us: a place to live, cleaning, care, putting away, or eventually a decision about where it goes next.
You don’t have to be a minimalist. I do think it helps to remember that there is an energy and maintenance cost to what we own.
When you’re deciding what to bring in or what to keep, ask yourself: Does this bring me joy? Is it useful? Am I willing to give it the space and care it needs?
Keeping things simple in your home can mean choosing what you enjoy and use, while letting go of things you no longer want to maintain.
Choose YOUR simple
Your simple will look different from someone else’s. It might even look different tomorrow.
It starts with a pause.
What would make this more simple?
Maybe it’s one easy decision to get a project started. Maybe it’s a few minutes preparing for tomorrow. Maybe it’s closing the to-do list and reading for a little while.
Choose one small task that helps your future self, or one realistic routine you can return to. Let it be manageable. Let it bring you a little peace.
You don’t have to do everything all at once.
Choose YOUR simple.
Choose Simple,
Sarah
