Simplicity

Once we realise how much need we create for ourselves, simplicity becomes a pretty attractive way of life. From the clutter in my closet to the food on my plate, I am slowly working towards simplicity. 

With a full wardrobe, it doesn't make sense to think we have nothing to wear.

It doesn't make sense to complain about dusting old souvenirs and decorations we don't really appreciate or even enjoy having.

It also doesn't make sense to feel that there isn't enough time in a day, simply because we force ourselves and convince ourselves that there is so much that needs to be done. There is plenty of time for the real important stuff. 

Why bring ourselves (and others) down by over thinking, over analysing. It doesn't need to be all so complicated and it's nice to give our thoughts a rest.

Another positive change I noticed was with a simpler diet. Fewer but better ingredients. Smaller portions. It actually started to give me more energy.

It turns out that less truly is more. And with less, we can enjoy much better quality. It seems to bring a peace of mind as we have less to worry about... 

Sahara Desert, Morocco

Needy

What do we need ?

I walked out of the store with stuff I didn't truly need. Half wondering how such things came to be so cheap. But not really wanting to know. Or already knowing and not wanting to face the guilt.

Walking up to my car, I noticed an old man, in his old car. He appeared to be scrutinizing the jeep. Envying ? Or perhaps wondering where he had gone wrong in his life to not be able to afford such a thing. Or maybe thinking of what he had done wrong in his life to not deserve such a vehicle. The thought hurt me. He looked sad. I felt sad. For if I was right, the old man did not realize that he didn't need a jeep. He probably lived a long and beautiful life. I profoundly hoped he had loved and been loved... and would soon realize that he never needed and never would need a fancy car.

Berlin, Germany 2013

I felt as if something had shifted inside and I really had to go home.

But I couldn't. I needed toothpaste. Didn't I ?

Either way, I still drove to the pharmacy. I was still thinking of the old man and what looked like envy in his eyes. Whilst waiting in line with, yet again, more items I probably didn't truly need, I overheard the woman in front of me asking about the lottery. And in this state, I paid for my goods. With a credit card I wish I didn't need. The kind cashier said I was eligible for a $10 reward. So I accepted to be rewarded for spending too much money and went home.

Home, I suddenly felt I had to get out of my made-in-China clothes. So I did. And I poured myself the drink my mind said I needed. 

And I tried to come up with a plan to get out of this obsessive, consumption cycle.