THE SIMPLE WAY

How do you live a simple life in this day and age?

Oof, I was slightly convicted in preparation of this post. Here I was about to write how to figure out how I can live this "cottage core" lifestyle in a busy environment, in a corporate environment. I very quickly quickly realized simplicity does not start there...

While planning out the next two months yesterday, I very quickly realized how easily I book myself up and made no time to rest for these next months to come. I had started my new job, but then continued freelancing work which already got a bit much. I was getting asked to go for coffee or to start building relationships with new friends, and very quickly I think realized that I have zero capacity to even think about such things...

Here I am, wanting to build a more simple life thinking that it's just possibly the "look" of my apartment, and not realizing that it is actually my mind that needs to find a simple way first. I am so constantly overwhelmed and busy that I have no time to myself, to have quiet time with God, not just in the mornings. I have people coming over to my place almost every night and your girl needs a break. AND it is only the 3rd week of the year...

One thing I came to realize last year was that I needed rest. Now I have come into a year where I can do just that, but now I am filling up all my time with friends and family and I am already exhausted because I am not resting. I am making no effort to make time for myself in order to look after myself.

I also realized that I have become a lot more focused on how I look. In one of my previous blog posts I mentioned that one of my insecurities is that I am not pretty enough or good enough and this CAN be affected by social media 100%, but also on my own view of myself. I know, super toxic...I see it don't worry.

I realized I have been wanting to live a "simple life", yet focusing so much of my energy and money on external things... SO, I have a plan to simplify my life. I have prayed, and prayed, and prayed about it. Last year I read the most amazing series called, "The Mark of the Lion", by Francine Rivers, and the humility of the main character, Hadassah, and THAT is what I want. See my fault and flaw lies there, in my lack of humility.

I found some practical ways in which I can do this. So as much as us girls can look after ourselves and it is good, I'd like to go back to my roots. I want to go back to my natural hair colour so that I no longer need to maintain it. I also am starting to dress more modestly. I realize, above all else, I truly want to honour God with my body in every possible way I can, and I never want to be a stumbling block for anybody else. I never want to tempt someone else. This is going to be a journey...it already has been and I am slowly learning. Having dressed provocatively for so many years before coming to Christ, I have needed to unlearn many things.

But please know that this modesty will not come from how I dress... it will be an inward change, and already is one.

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Please also don't think that you now must follow in my steps. If you are convicted by the same thing, I urge you to pray into it as I have. All our journeys are different. All our walks with the Lord will look different. You do not need to do something just because someone else is doing it. This is just what I am doing now, and I must just say that I am so excited for this journey. God has been so gracious and kind and convicted me in a way that allows me to see the beauty in this. I pray that over you as well, that you would see the beauty in God's guidance and praising Him for who He is and what He has done.