Life Isn't That Simple Right Now, And That's Okay Too

I often think back to an article on Simply Liv & Co. called “There’s No Such Thing As An In Between Phase In Life". That post resonated with me and I try to reflect on it when I’m feeling overwhelmed and thinking about the “next thing” in life.

Right now, my life is incredibly busy. The life my husband and I live is full of school, work, a toddler, and exhaustion. Our plan to finish our education and raise our daughter simultaneously has left little room for free time in our lives. I’ve recently considered if I can even call myself a minimalist or someone who believes in simple living during this crazy period of my life. When I look at our calendar, overlapping in colors and details, I become overwhelmed and start looking forward to when there will be more white space on the page.

Olivia points out that viewing periods of our lives as an “in-between” phases distracts us from the narrative. She says, “I love viewing life as a story or journey. I often think about other people's lives, wondering where they've been or what their goals are. Believing in the existence of in between phases essentially is like saying that this point in your life is a chapter (or two) you would like to leave out of the novel.” This chapter in my life is long and it’s hard, but that doesn’t mean it contradicts my values and ideals.

Despite my jam-packed schedule I’m still living a life where I strive for simplicity and authenticity. I may not be able to have as much time as I’d like for self-care, but I do try to find as much time as possible to spend with my family. I may not be able to read all the books on minimalism that I’ve been planning to read, but I am making a compromise by prioritizing writing instead. I may not be able to frequently go out to coffee or dinner with friends, but I am able to eat healthy, homemade meals that my husband and I make together.

Sometimes living simply means compromising and making things work to the best of my abilities. It doesn’t feel simple, but when I step back and look at my life, I can see that I’m still following my values. We are intentional with our time and pursuing our goals, while still enjoying the simple moments when they come our way. This part of life may feel like an “in-between” phase, but really it’s just another part of the journey.

Maybe you’re in a similar busy period in your life, I’d love to hear how you live simply and authentically even when life gets a little crazy.