Monday, May 19, 2025
When I think of today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, I find distractions everywhere, overloading our internal and external life. A place in time that has me reminiscing about the simpler, quality days of my youth, spent with generations of family. A time when simplicity was the way of life, allowing us to breathe a lighter, more balanced, focused, way of living.
Less is more
Simplicity is not about deprivation. It is about making room for what is essential. By simplifying, we create space for experiences, growth, and genuine connections.
Your Attention is Precious
In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. From constant notifications to the temptation of social media, it’s easy to lose focus. But here is the thing—our brains are not built to multitask well. Jumping from one thing to another does not make us more productive; it can make us more prone to mistakes. By simplifying and cutting out distractions, we give ourselves the gift of focus. We are more efficient; make fewer errors and feel more accomplished at the end of the day.
Benefits of Simplicity
Improved Well-being: Simplicity often leads to greater peace of mind and satisfaction with life.
Mental Clarity: Simplifying our physical and digital spaces can lead to clearer thinking and higher life satisfaction.
Information Management: Reducing information overload allows for better focus and decision-making.
Simplicity Supports Emotional Health
When life is complicated and busy, it’s hard to connect with your emotions. But when you simplify, you create space to reflect, to feel, and to understand what is really going on inside. Simplifying allows you to get in touch with your true values and focus on what really matters to you. It helps you cultivate a sense of calm and emotional resilience, which in turn leads to greater happiness and fulfillment.
Your Brain Can Only Handle So Much
Think about it, your brain is like a computer. It can process a lot of things, but when you try to do too much or take in too much information, your brain gets bogged down. Psychologists call this “cognitive load,” — referring to the amount of information our working memory can process at any given time— and it’s why you feel mentally drained when there is too much going on. Simplicity is not just easier, it is necessary. When we simplify, we free up mental space, allowing us to be more creative and make better decisions.
Simplicity Encourages Mindfulness
Mindfulness is about being present, and it’s hard to be present when your mind is racing with too many tasks, worries, or distractions. When we simplify, we make room for mindfulness in our daily lives. This could mean slowing down, being more intentional with our time, or even just noticing the small moments that we usually overlook. By focusing on the here and now, we not only reduce stress, but we also increase our ability to experience joy and gratitude.
On a Personal Note:
Simplicity allows us to better focus our energy, giving us a stronger sense of personal balance in the areas of life that mean most to us. After all, you might be surprised at how full life can become when you choose to simplify and embrace the power of, “Less is More”.
To ponder the acronym, I created for myself: SIMPLICITY: Smile, Invest, Motivate, Play, Love, Inspire, Care, Invigorate, Trust, You!
Donna Pisacano-Brown is a Point Lookout resident who has been a columnist featured in local newspapers since 1996. She is a passionate advocate for drunken driving awareness, and shining a light on mental health topics.
