The Thinkmaya Blog: The One Hundred: A Guide to Pieces Every Happy and Balanced Soul Must Embrace: Simplicity
Marelisa
· 11 months ago
Hi Maya: Thank you for the mention. I love that graph. You do have to make an effort to simplify, and create the systems, rituals and routines that will help you to simplify, as well as adopt a new mindset. But once everything is in place your life flows so much easier and, like you say, you liberate time, resources, and attention to pursue your true heart's desires. I'm going to watch the John Maeda video now :-)
maya
· 11 months ago
Mare - thank you - I love that graph too. I actually drew that graph without the wisdom curve and then stole the wisdom part from John Maeda's talk. Wisdom, he says is one thing that increases with age - that is when I thought about how much steeper the line could be if we added simplicity to our lives as we age on ... You have explained the graph really well - thank you :)
Very Evolved
· 11 months ago
Maya - really liked this post, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
I agree with Mare -the graph is great. I think you got it right when you put wisdom on there instead of knowledge as I think most people would have done.
I do disagree with one of your points though - your other posts are easy to read.
Hi Maya. Simplicity? What's that? LOL. I can appreciate this post. I'm a "recovering perfectionist" and have to constantly remind myself to go easy. Thanks for another reminder. I look forward to reaching that point when this process becomes simpler.
You have certainly made a good case for living simply. Great graph that you drew!! It seems hard at first having to do so much just to live simply but the effort pays off in the end. Thanks for an inspiring post!!
Hi Maya - I love the quote that you use by Leonardo da Vinci about simplicity and sophistication. Many people believe "simplicity" to mean "easy" and so they strive for complexity to show that they are skilled and talented. But I think Leonardo got it right. Nice post :)
While I don't write about simplicity, I certainly practice it. To me, one of the most important aspects of simplicity is avoiding physical clutter. Physical clutter makes me feel overwhelmed and confused. I love living in a simple, airy, sunlit, uncluttered home. As for emotional clutter, I'm not quite there yet, but certainly working on it.
Very Evolved
· 11 months ago
@Vered - You have made an important observation - a cluttered environment leads to feelings of being overwhelmed and confusion.
The reverse is true too - the satisfaction derived from seeing an orderly environment can actually help calm your mind and reduce stress. Both of which lead to much more rational thought, and clearer thoughts - what I think the real definition of simple is.
A simple thing can be very complex and have lots of components and still be simple if it's easy for your mind to grasp and not overwhelming.
Thank you for the comment about my earlier posts - I guess in some ways I want to challenge myself to write and express myself in different ways... Yes, wisdom is how we internalize life, isn't it? I see it as vastly different from knowledge. I think they are quite mutually exclusive actually :)
Hi Davina, I am always in awe as to how you share the NOW. Thank you for doing that here, once again! You know - I am constantly learning how much simpler life gets if I learn to be just OK with some things ... I am learning to let go and just be ..and yes, it is getting easier! Btw, I am sooo loving your quotes project - even more - I love the way you are sharing it with each of your blog posts!!
Hi Evelyn, Am so glad you enjoyed the graph!! I love to represent things over time :) And thank you for participating here often - you are a great inspiration!
Hi Amanda!! It is really nice to see you here :) Yes, I loved that Da Vinci quote! I am a firm believer that if we wear Simplicity well and are proud of it - it is the ultimate state of class and sophistication - isn't it such a great way to put it?! And you are so right - you do not have to appear complex to be impressive - that is just called "trying too hard" :) Thank you for sharing here!
Hi Vered, A LOT of what we see of you on your blog reflects a level of Simplicity - I love you blog design, your simple style (the few pics you have shared) ... I think I do better on the emotional side - seems like I have more control there sometimes! We got rid of a bunch of our stuff recently and that has certainly made the physical clutter more manageable!
Trey Baird
· 11 months ago
Maya, after one one post, I am absolutely loving this series. I can't wait for #2!
It is amazing how much more we can accomplish with the use of simplicity than without. The trend of multitasking is coming to and end, because people have come to find that it's grossly overrated.
I also love your simplicity diagram. Did you come up with that?
Hi Trey, Welcome to ThinkMaya! So glad you stopped to share.
Yes, there seems to be a trend to embrace simplicity - I guess we as mankind, have hit the tipping point where we just cannot manage the complexity anymore !
Yes, I came up with the diagram. The correlation of the wisdom along with the simplicity idea came from John Maeda's talk.
I am so glad you like the diagram and the post. Thanks again for sharing here!
Hi Maya, I think your graph makes a lot of sense. It does take work to simplify. It's not just saying "today, I'm going to simplify my life" - and voila, everything is the way you desire. It takes effort, it takes planning, it takes work. And then...it gets easier. That's really a great representation of achieving simplicity Maya!
I find my inspiration for simplicity through the freedom it provides me. Like your model shows, though, that freedom may not be there right away - it may take time - yet there will come a point - where I feel that freedom - where I have felt that freedom in certain areas of my life.
Hi Lance - you are everywhere these days! I am really enjoying seeing your blog grow :) So true - Simplicity does give us a lot of freedom, doesn't it? Mental freedom, physical freedom and spiritual freedom ...it does let us live a life of fullness, doesn't it? And you are so right about feelign that freedom in certain areas of our lives ....for me the mental freedom certainly came before the physical freedom - and when I started to experience that freedom I started to make and effort to simplify other areas of my life! Thanks for sharing Lance - you always make a minute or two to share and I really value that :)
Hey , i loved the graph . The idea of simplicity will strike a chord with people who like being simple. I think its more of an intrinsic quality/trait . For example , people who drive a merc , dine at the most expensive restaurants , wear the most fashionable clothes and believe that extravaganza is the IN thing. My point is that you teach people how to be simple , it's either in them or not.
PS : nevertheless , i am sure simpletons like me would love the post:)
ankur kakkar
· 10 months ago
the last post didnt come out well... many words are missing... sorry.. i was using the bad phone again... i'll re-type it :
i loved the graph . The idea of simplicity will strike a chord with people who like being simple. I think its more of an intrinsic quality/trait . however its not for people who drive a merc , dine at the most expensive restaurants , wear the most fashionable clothes and believe that extravaganza is the IN thing. My point is that you cannot tell people how to be simple , it’s either in them or not.
The concept of simplicity invites each person to self-reflect. It is a mental process you encourage which enables people to become more self-directed, if they choose to do so. The insights you offer are food for thought.
Usually when I get into trouble, it is because I have made things too complicated. Simplicity is best. Like someone else said I am a recovering perfectionist. I like simplicity and authenticity. What I am still learning is how to do honest with kindness. I can come across as too forceful.
All Comments
You have explained the graph really well - thank you :)
I agree with Mare -the graph is great. I think you got it right when you put wisdom on there instead of knowledge as I think most people would have done.
I do disagree with one of your points though - your other posts are easy to read.
Patrick
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Very Evolveds last blog post..Follow the Herd. How behavior and stories spread through online crowds</abbr>
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Davinas last blog post..How Curious Moments Add Value</abbr>
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Evelyn Lims last blog post..HAVE-DO-BE or BE-DO-HAVE?</abbr>
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Amanda Linehans last blog post..How To Live In The Moment (When It’s The Last Place You Want To Be)</abbr>
The reverse is true too - the satisfaction derived from seeing an orderly environment can actually help calm your mind and reduce stress. Both of which lead to much more rational thought, and clearer thoughts - what I think the real definition of simple is.
A simple thing can be very complex and have lots of components and still be simple if it's easy for your mind to grasp and not overwhelming.
Patrick
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Very Evolveds last blog post..Follow the Herd. How behavior and stories spread through online crowds</abbr>
Thank you for the comment about my earlier posts - I guess in some ways I want to challenge myself to write and express myself in different ways...
Yes, wisdom is how we internalize life, isn't it? I see it as vastly different from knowledge. I think they are quite mutually exclusive actually :)
Hi Davina,
I am always in awe as to how you share the NOW. Thank you for doing that here, once again! You know - I am constantly learning how much simpler life gets if I learn to be just OK with some things ... I am learning to let go and just be ..and yes, it is getting easier!
Btw, I am sooo loving your quotes project - even more - I love the way you are sharing it with each of your blog posts!!
Hi Evelyn,
Am so glad you enjoyed the graph!! I love to represent things over time :) And thank you for participating here often - you are a great inspiration!
Hi Amanda!!
It is really nice to see you here :)
Yes, I loved that Da Vinci quote! I am a firm believer that if we wear Simplicity well and are proud of it - it is the ultimate state of class and sophistication - isn't it such a great way to put it?!
And you are so right - you do not have to appear complex to be impressive - that is just called "trying too hard" :)
Thank you for sharing here!
Hi Vered,
A LOT of what we see of you on your blog reflects a level of Simplicity - I love you blog design, your simple style (the few pics you have shared) ...
I think I do better on the emotional side - seems like I have more control there sometimes! We got rid of a bunch of our stuff recently and that has certainly made the physical clutter more manageable!
It is amazing how much more we can accomplish with the use of simplicity than without. The trend of multitasking is coming to and end, because people have come to find that it's grossly overrated.
I also love your simplicity diagram. Did you come up with that?
Keep the high quality posts coming.
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Trey Bairds last blog post..How Can Muscle Memory Help Your Career?</abbr>
Welcome to ThinkMaya! So glad you stopped to share.
Yes, there seems to be a trend to embrace simplicity - I guess we as mankind, have hit the tipping point where we just cannot manage the complexity anymore !
Yes, I came up with the diagram. The correlation of the wisdom along with the simplicity idea came from John Maeda's talk.
I am so glad you like the diagram and the post. Thanks again for sharing here!
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Mayas last blog post..Preparing to Believe in Yourself: The Science of Ditchiness</abbr>
I always enjoy your mental models and the way you share your thought process.
<abbr></abbr><abbr>J.D. Meiers last blog post..Avoid Mental Burnout</abbr>
I think your graph makes a lot of sense. It does take work to simplify. It's not just saying "today, I'm going to simplify my life" - and voila, everything is the way you desire. It takes effort, it takes planning, it takes work. And then...it gets easier. That's really a great representation of achieving simplicity Maya!
I find my inspiration for simplicity through the freedom it provides me. Like your model shows, though, that freedom may not be there right away - it may take time - yet there will come a point - where I feel that freedom - where I have felt that freedom in certain areas of my life.
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day</abbr>
Hi Lance - you are everywhere these days! I am really enjoying seeing your blog grow :)
So true - Simplicity does give us a lot of freedom, doesn't it? Mental freedom, physical freedom and spiritual freedom ...it does let us live a life of fullness, doesn't it? And you are so right about feelign that freedom in certain areas of our lives ....for me the mental freedom certainly came before the physical freedom - and when I started to experience that freedom I started to make and effort to simplify other areas of my life! Thanks for sharing Lance - you always make a minute or two to share and I really value that :)
<abbr></abbr><abbr>Mayas last blog post..Preparing to Believe in Yourself: The Science of Ditchiness</abbr>
PS : nevertheless , i am sure simpletons like me would love the post:)
i loved the graph . The idea of simplicity will strike a chord with people who like being simple. I think its more of an intrinsic quality/trait . however its not for people who drive a merc , dine at the most expensive restaurants , wear the most fashionable clothes and believe that extravaganza is the IN thing.
My point is that you cannot tell people how to be simple , it’s either in them or not.
<abbr></abbr><abbr>ankur kakkars last blog post..not really in the best of spirits</abbr>
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