Over the years I have felt drawn to the idea of creating a program or new foundation for my work around either simple heartfelt living or supporting women in midlife and beyond. Maybe, a combination of both. There have been several times when I created outlines and ideas that still reside in notebooks filed away, waiting to be shared with the world.
It happened again this morning as I was writing in my journal, another outline surrounded by heartfelt words of what I really want to share. I was surprised when I realized I keep creating the same outline over and over again with slight variations.
And then it was clear, the reason this idea keeps coming forward is that it is really about the life that I want to create for myself. And, share with you. A simple life, full of meaning and based on the guidance of my heart.
I’ve actually been moving this direction for some time, but this journey has no endgame or destination. It is something that is felt and I feel closest to it when:
- I am aligned with my values, intentions, and authentic self
- I feel my life is peacefully full and in balance
- I feel content and hear myself laugh often
- I feel connected to my community and people I care about
- I am being of service and lifting people up
- My home feels like a sanctuary, full of things I love and free of what I don’t
In this crazy, busy world of today, is it possible you are also craving the contentment, meaning, and peace that comes from living a simple, soulful life?
It feels like it is time to share my recurring idea and see if it touches your heart like it does mine. I would love your feedback and thoughts on this new direction toward simple heartfelt living that includes the following components:
Cultivate a Simple Life
Living simply is not about scarcity and living without. It is about creating space in your life so that you can focus on what you value most. When you clear out what you don’t love there is more room for listening to your heart and being fully present with what you do.
A simple heartfelt life means removing the things that keep you in unconscious chaos and creating a life and home you really love. It means connecting more deeply with the people around you and respecting the money you have worked hard to earn. It means listening within, slowing down, and making conscious choices with the guidance of your heart.
And you will love it, because you will find that living simply brings you more contentment, happiness, and peace of mind.
Embrace Soulful Practices
Connecting with your heart and soul regularly will guide you to your most peaceful and meaningful life. This connection helps you feel grounded, empowered, and full of love for yourself and the world around you.
For me, it is about living authentically, accepting what I can’t change, letting go of what no longer serves me, and playing with daily practices that bring me joy and fill my heart.
Each of you will have your own favorite practices. They might include things like art, writing in a journal, praying, gratitude, play, or simply sitting and listening to your heart. The possibilities are endless and the rewards for spending time with them are great.
Honor Your History
The things that have happened in the past can make or break us if we let them. Many of you are still carrying emotional pain from years ago that impacts your relationships, level of success, and how you feel about yourself.
For much of my adult life I was buried in the pain of the past, feeling paralyzed and living with daily migraines and depression. When it became too much, I started a long journey of learning to heal and let go. I can now say that I feel pretty neutral about most of those painful memories and one of my greatest joys is helping others do the same.
The beauty of healing your history is that when you feel better you can recognize your strengths and celebrate the many wonderful moments of your past that were hidden behind the anger and pain. But, the greatest gift of all is the feeling of freedom that healing your history brings.
Honoring your past may include writing your life story, letting go exercises, re framing thoughts and beliefs, recognizing lessons, and celebrating who you are now because of your past experiences.
Create Quality Connections
Feeling connected to others is a basic human need, but sometimes relationships become complicated and difficult to navigate. Thriving connections are ones that include mutual caring, support everyone involved, and enhance your life.
Whether it be friends, family, spouse, or community, positive interaction with others evolves best with authenticity, quality communication, understanding, compassion, and acceptance. This isn’t always easy, but when you honor your relationships and learn better ways of being in them, you will find more peace and love in and around you.
Nurture Your Body and Mind
We only get one physical home for our soul in this life and taking care of it becomes even more important as we get older. A simple heartfelt life includes nurturing your body with good wholesome food, restful sleep, relaxation, and movement that promotes healthy weight, strength, and flexibility.
Nurturing your mind means focusing on positive uplifting input, including what you watch, read, and who you surround yourself with. You can improve your mental health by re-framing negative thoughts and belief systems that do not serve you and embracing a more positive outlook on life. Sometimes the amount of input your brain is taking in can be a challenge and giving your mind a break can help it be more focused and effective when you need it to be.
Nurturing your mind also includes keeping your brain healthy with nutrition, life long learning, and a variety of activities that will keep it working well for your lifetime.
So, what do you think about this idea of living a simple, heartfelt life? Does it speak to you? Is there an area you would like to learn more about or something you would like to add? I would love to hear what you have to say. You can comment on this post or contact me here.
Related posts:
Let Your Heart Guide You to Your Best Life
De-cluttering Questions that Help You Let Go of Stuff
If you would like the support of an experienced, professional Life Coach in overcoming an issue or creating a more heartfelt life, I would love to talk to you. You can contact me here.
Beautiful. Thank you. Unconsciously, I am working on those things right now. Walking away from things that don’t connect with me and embracing those that do. I think the journaling is helping with that. You become more conscious.
Journaling works very well for me too. I am not sure exactly how, but sometimes as I write everything comes together and my direction becomes clear. It looks like you are conscious of what you want now and what you are doing to make it happen. Congratulations!
Beautiful post! I have been drawn to living a simpler life for a long time, but in the past few years, realized that hygge is the name for what I was trying to do. Once I realized, I was able to be more on purpose about it. Thanks for sharing this post! Once again, we are in sync.
Simplicity and hygge are both ways to feel more peaceful and connected. They just sort of tug at your soul. I’m so glad we have connected.