Keep it simple?
We all know the expression and its acronym: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Kids use it. We’ve used it when admonishing ourselves (and others). Many of us dream of “a simple life” or at the very least, simpler.
The fundamental principle is valid of course; often the simplest approaches and solutions are the most effective.
That’s true in business. That’s true in dealing with others. That’s frequently in parenting. And many of us strive for, and even achieve, a measure of simplicity in our lives.
A measure of simplicity.
More than that? Dare we hope?
Life is complicated. And for a Monday, for me, a little more so than usual. Why?
Monday (simple?) Style
It seems I have a few technology gremlins to deal with behind the scenes. They’re making everything take longer – a great deal longer!
I’d like to stomp my feet, hide my eyes, and scream “I can’t deal with this!” But that’s no solution, simple or otherwise, though it’s a legitimate emotional release. Once expletives and tirades have run their course (preferably privately), it’s time for adulthood.
You know. Figure something out (with a little help from your friends).
Oh, you shouldn’t be too bothered by my hair-raising, frown-line-inducing tweaking over the next few days. Everything should seem “usual” around here. Except I may be more concise… (or not). Possibly crankier… (or not). In any event, I’ll try to keep things simple.
If only technology were simple, right? If only Murphy had taken his notorious Law and hit the road when I threw him out months ago, or tried. But it’s not meant to be (wink, wink) – at least for now.
Healthy Living
In my mind’s eye, my cuisine is healthy and beautiful – filled with all the nutrients every (damn) doctor is insisting upon these days.
Let’s see — fresh fruits, dark and leafy vegetables, Omega-3 laden salmon, iron and B-Vitamin-rich red meat, and those blow-the-budget berries and nuts. Don’t forget the 40+ woman’s fanciful friends, calcium and Vitamin D. Wherever you can get them.
Now, what might we add to the equation? How about a good night’s sleep, exercise, and low stress.
It’s all simple, right? But that stress thing… Hello teenage households? Single parenthood? The UnBudget?
Still, in my simplistic vision, health and well-being are always within grasp. Affordable? Another story. Perhaps I need a volunteer to assist with the cooking?
(Um, Kitch?? The Latvian Suite awaits you.)
Uncluttered, Beautiful, Simple Interiors
And then there is my simple home. My lovely, ideal, chaos-free interiors.
My perfect kitchen?
It’s nothing like the kitchen design I currently have, which is pretty but not functional. And tiny, thus less conducive to sticking around to socialize, with the aromas of baking in the background. (Yes, I really do bake.)
Oh, give me a clean and simple kitchen! A little bit modernist, a touch traditional, and with lots of (low cabinet) storage!
My ideal room to sit, snooze, or socialize?
It, too, is simple, with comfortable chairs to entice friends to linger, and it’s uncluttered! Granted, I still require stacks of books and (no doubt) too much art – everywhere – on walls, leaned against shelves. But overall, the style is warm, inviting, and simple. That way, the people take center stage. (Ain’t that grand?)
As for the boudoir? (You knew it was coming.) Ah, the dream bedroom could resemble the image here, though I know myself better than that. There must be books, and art, and intoxicating jolts of color, preferably red. Nonetheless, this room would serve nicely as a haven, and dare I dream. . . more?
Appearances Are Deceiving
Given the sudden arrival of my techno traumas, tenaciously tramping about in the background of my real boudoir, I will meditate on these images of simple style. And returning to my originating point, the fact is: Daily dramas of all sizes can scramble our plans, and drop us into the drink.
Life is anything but simple.
- Any Monday morning dramas you’d care to share?
- Suggestions for simplifying – your life and your style?
- Musings on the sound stylings of technology tantrums of your own?
Meanwhile, I’ll be here daily (should you care to know). Let’s face it – I am at least as tenacious as any snarly, supercilious software. But dammit, my already crazy daily plate just got more complicated by the need to keep it simple. Or at the very least, simpler, for a time.
One final thought – keeping it simple looks easy, but takes effort. What appears straightforward or streamlined from the outside looking in may be very different, from the inside looking out. No one knows what goes on behind the curtain, the screen, the wall, or the pretty façade. That’s all the more reason to look beyond exteriors and interiors. Nothing is ever really “simple.”
Nothing is ever really “simple.”
Exactly. I love the idea of simple. Of simplifying my life. And thoughts. And focus. But, invariably, I come back to complex. To the clutter and chaos of life. And I’m learning to be okay with that. I am realizing that everything good and meaningful is complicated.
And yet. I continue to crave more simple existential strokes. Why do we want what we know we can’t have? Why do we want what we don’t really want?
Great post.
Ah yes, we live on the same planet. Life is anything but simple. Tech trauma is the worst. I’ve become so dependent on it and life is definitely not simple when it’s on the fritz.
I thought I’d simplified menu-planning (not that I cook every meal, no way) until I realized that my boys needed more of a variety. I’d like to think I’ve simplified my wardrobe but reading your series reminds me that I may have simplified to the point of obliterating any style I had. So, thank you for affirming my belief that simple isn’t the end all be all of the life I want to live.
I’m reminded of Mr. Big’s one red wall in his New York apartment (you didn’t think you could mention your penchant for red and not remind me of that episode, did you??). It was such a seemingly simple decor choice but with so many complex layers to it (and him). It’s amazing how so many of our life’s choices — or choices made for us — turn out that way. Good luck with the software snarls.
@Aidan – You hit the nail on the head. “The idea of simple.” I think we live in very complex times, with few (any?) absolutes. We pursue what seems simpler (like pursuing happiness?), yet there’s nothing simple in much of how we go about it. And I know I don’t have to tell you that writing is an apt metaphor for the work behind what appears simple. Working, reworking, editing, revising – the satiny result the reader gets in the finished product is the result of extraordinary effort.
@Belinda – Oh dear. My style series may be sending you to the local department stores? If you can do it – at least enjoy it! And look at it as though you’re being patriotic, boosting GNP.
As for the tech traumas, they continue. Bleary-eyed and (un?)daunted, I persist, with a friend most graciously doing all the heavy lifting, as I chew my nails down to nothing. Gotta love technology – when it works. When it doesn’t? Chocolate. In vast quantities. (Yet another reason for a trip to the mall.)
@Stacia – You’re so good! Mr. Big’s red wall! Yes! (Of course, given that I am Ms. Big, perhaps that’s secretly my red wall?)
Ah, the irony of simplicity. Never easy is it? I like the idea of it, but never truly make it a priority. I suspect that it’s probably because of how hard it is. But I’m starting to try…to de-clutter, to think about things differently, to really differentiate between what I need and want. I’m hoping that will help. But that’s a hard lesson to learn.
That said, I’m with you. A cozy room to sit, by the fire and just read. Now that is simply bliss. Or to chat with a mug of hot coffee and a great friend. Ahhh, I’m wishing for that now. It just does the soul good.
P.S. I hope you sort out your technology woes soon. Nothing sucks up time more.
My drama: Someone told me I could trust him with the inside info. I demurred. He insisted.
Simplicity lesson: Don’t naively trust everyone who says, “Hey, you can trust me!”
Ok, that might just be too simple, at least without the backstory!
Cheers,
Shameless
Monday trauma the same as last Monday’s trauma: a (right) hand injury that is keeping me from properly writing and leaving me hunting and pecking for keys while typing, and in pain. Oh. Is this a bitch and moan day, BLW? Because I can go on!
But I’ll obey the KISS statute of limitations – one citation only per Monday>
Any day is Bitch and Moan Day. But Mondays seem especially well suited to it. Chicken soup for a hand injury? Hmm. Probably not so much. Unless you soak your hand in it. (Hope it’s feeling better soon.)
Most of my Monday was spent unplugged. It was a bit of a wakeup call. I couldn’t believe how good it felt, though I missed reading some of my favorite blogs. This will be happening intermittently over the next four weeks so let’s see if I can keep it simple.
I think the only way to at least attempt to approach simplicity is to remove expectations from things, and detach wants from needs.
And, focus on what really matters. I think that’s why the Slow Food movement (although anything that becomes a “movement” immediately becomes stressful!) has caught on — the focus is on gathering family friends over good food and connecting, lingering, being in the present.
That’s important to me, too although that won’t get rid of my numerous piles, my messy desk at work or the fact that my house is falling apart and needs a lot of work. However, on my deathbed (in a long time, I hope!), I’m sure those won’t be what I’m thinking about!
Oh, how I long for simple, or, as Aidan puts it, “the idea of simple.” But, as I mentioned to you recently, I’ve realized that there is always something. When you’re a parent, when you’re a writer, when you’re alive, there’s just always something: illness, technological snafus, dead car batteries, diaper blow-outs. The trick for me is to figure out how to live with the idea of complex. Because the jig is up: there’s no such thing as simple.