It's the simple things

“It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.”

―Paulo Coelho

 

Life is made of ups and downs, serious and light moments, impactful days and boring mundane moments.  But in the midst of it all, it's the simple things that are the most extraordinary.  Exactly how Paulo Coelho says it.  And when we accept that, and start to follow it, everything we encounter and are forced to deal with, become much easier to accept. 

 

I've talked about the simplicity of life, my journey to find it and how much I enjoy living life in the simplest of ways.  I hold on to days gone by, to the way things used to be done.  My great grandmother Ema very often comes to my mind and I feel this overwhelming sense of love and peace.  I remember the things she did, the way she lived each moment, and I want so much to do the same.

 

Living simply or rather, enjoying the simple moments, doesn't have to be complicated.  Our joy isn't measured by the big events, the earth shattering happenings, but rather in the every day things that surround us.  In those things that we often overlook because they seem to blend into our surroundings.  So I want to show you the things that bring me the most joy, the simple things that I'm referring to, encourage you to look around your own home and life and start taking notice.  You'll be surprised how it will start changing your mood and shifting your mind from negative to positive.

 

Sometimes it's the snippets of prettiness even in your kitchen.  Yes I have real plants everywhere in my home, but I also have artificial popped in random places here in there.  I don't mind using something that is not real.

 

If you were to ask me what the theme is in my house, I would tell you that I don't have one.  I just keep things that I like.  I am more of a color theme rather than a specific genre kind of girl.  So you won't see Farmhouse, French, Americana or whatever, I tend to see a color and try to go with that for the rest of the room.

 

Sometimes the simple things are just brewing coffee the old fashioned way, the way I would sometimes see my great grandma and grandma, make.  The whole process is very simple and yet calming and beautiful.

Little pops of color here and there.  White, blue, green, plants and flowers and pretty little dishcloths hanging ever so precariously on a cabinet.

An inexpensive but yet sweet egg holder for the refrigerator.  It's simple, it's cute, it's functional and again, it makes me smile and brings me joy.

Sometimes it's in the simple candle burning on a bookshelf, nestled into a gorgeous book.  A candle that is themed after one of your absolute favorite Jane Austen characters, Mr. Darcy, of course.

 

I will never understand how a candle can bring so much coziness and contentment to my life.  It's a glass container with wonderful scented wax.  To the naked eye or the technical mind, it is nothing to get excited about, but my goodness, does it make me smile.

Often times the simplicity of crochet is enough to bring warm feelings of happiness.  I have always found crochet to be very calming.  If I'm having a difficult time, I will grab my hook and yarn, work on a row or two of my current blanket and it immediately puts my mind at ease.

 

Of course, the beauty of the blanket itself is simple yet impactful.

Blooms in spring, reminding us that new life is emerging.  Reminding us to step outside, to breathe in the sweet scent from the peach tree, and the plum tree.  Something so simple, it's just a pop of green, a little leaf turned into a tiny flower bursting with color.  Yet, again, the simplicity of it is what makes a difference.

And sometimes it's a corner in your house.  An entryway shelf, with random bits and bobs, but yet it brings your eye to the beauty of the plant, the deer print, the cute candle and the hyacinths starting to bloom.

Or the little pretty flower garland, careless strung above the curtain rod.  Nothing extravagant, nothing expensive, nothing wow inducing, yet for me, the colors, the mixtures of textures, the whole thing together make this window one of my favorite places in the house.

 

You don't need to live in an expensive home, you don't need to live in a museum, you don't need to remove all the things that signify coziness and simple.  It's a home, it's where you live, where you seek shelter and sustenance, where you rest your weary body, share moments with your family, raise your children, eat a heartwarming meal.  Allow your home to love you, as you love it.  

 

It doesn't mean a messy, unorganized place, but it also doesn't mean you need to remove everything in sight.

 

I think this is where I struggle with the modern definition of simplicity.  It's become synonymous with getting rid of everything, going down to the bare minimum, and creating a place that feels so unwelcoming not only to guests but to those who live within those walls.  They think cozy means clutter, and that's not true at all.

 

Anyway, this is what I think simplicity means for me.  What does it mean for you?  Do you also live a simple cozy life?