Making Time for What Matters Most

Spring has finally sprung in the northern hemisphere! Yes, the calendar confirms it, but so do the rising temperatures I feel, the flowers I see beginning to brighten the landscape, and the chirping birds I hear outside. For me, each Pennsylvania winter feels more oppressive than the one before. I find myself having to dig deeper every year to appreciate the beauty in the season that offers dormancy, preparation for renewal, and reflection. As a part-time introvert, I cherish the stillness, but 90 days of cold temperatures and gray sky wears heavy on me.

With each seasonal shift, I get nostalgic for the one ending (even winter) as it is a consistent reminder of time passed. Nostalgia often leads me to my journal or keyboard to write so, here I am. Hovering in my mind at a seasonal change is always the question: Did I truly make the most of the time? The answer is always mixed, but I try to be gentle on myself and focus on the ways I did instead of the ways I didn’t.

My heart, and in turn, the heart of ‘An Eye to Simplify‘, beats with the mantra: “Make time and space for what matters most to you.” This isn’t a rigid command but instead a gentle invitation to each of us to live mindfully; to prioritize what truly nourishes our souls and fuels our fire. Perfection is not the goal; intention and consistent effort are. Will we always succeed? No, but striving to succeed will in some way bring us closer to what matters most.   

The beauty of humanity lies in our diverse priorities. What matters deeply for you may hold little significance to another, and that’s perfectly fine. Our differences in priorities are a reminder to approach others with empathy and understanding, recognizing that our individual journeys are unique. While shared values can forge connections, it’s not a prerequisite for meaningful relationships. Embracing our differences, fostering mutual respect, and coexisting peacefully is a testament to our capacity for understanding and growth.

Launching ‘An Eye to Simplify’ in January 2025, with the mission to simplify lives and enhance well-being, led me to root it first in my strengths toward decluttering and organizing, and my belief in their power to enhance well-being. It felt like the most natural and authentic place to start.

As I continue to build ‘An Eye to Simplify,’ I imagine there will be facets of it you connect with and some you don’t. What is offered isn’t meant for everyone, all the time. It’s meant for someone at the right time. Maybe that someone is you. Maybe it isn’t. You are the architect of your well-being. It’s your responsibility to discern what serves you best.

‘An Eye to Simplify’ is a platform for me to share insights I glean from my own journey, hoping they can help others as they navigate their own path. The platform is also space for others to do they same should they choose. I whole-heartedly believe that just because we can do hard things doesn’t mean that everything has to be soooo damn hard. We as humans should help each other in the ways we know how because that’s spreading kindness, something I think most would agree we need more of in this world.

I find joy in helping others discover simpler paths; transforming the complex into ease, often with just subtle shifts in habit or perspective. My learning is continuous and collective of experiences (not always my own), research, and perspectives that may or may not resonate with others. My passion does not make me an expert. I will never master simplification. The ebbs and flows of life ensure there is always a dance with complexity. Yet, the ongoing journey to simplify excites me, challenges me, and fuels me.

Ultimately, simplifying is a life-long journey, a series of trials and errors that equate to discoveries that illuminate one’s path along the way. The ultimate goal, when we reflect on the days, the seasons, or the milestones of our lives, is that we find comfort within knowing that we approached each moment with our best intentions of making time for what matters most.

Simply yours,