Simplifying Life

These last few weeks of living in lockdown have really forced nearly everyone to slow down and take a step back from all the usual activities and busyness of life. I wonder whether it will result in changed lifestyles, or whether everyone will go back to doing just as much as before when this is all over?

I think part of the secret to enjoying life is being able to take joy in the little things. Learning to be content with what we have and stopping to smell the roses. Valuing our relationships with those around us, especially our children and spouses. How often do the myriad of activities and social engagements detract from the time we might otherwise have spent with our loved ones? How do the numerous play dates we arrange for our kids affect their relationships with us and their siblings? Gordon Neufield in his book ‘Hold Onto Your Kids‘ discusses the danger of allowing our kids to become peer-oriented as a result of these kinds of things.

Coming out of this lockdown, perhaps we should think twice before signing our kids up for yet another extra-curricular activity. Our culture (and we ourselves) put so much pressure on us as parents to give our children every possible experience, but maybe in doing so we deprive them of the most important thing of all: the relationship with parents and the subsequent taking on of their values and beliefs.

I do wonder whether we are just convincing ourselves that all the activities and committments are doing us good, when in reality they are sucking the life out of us and of our families.. Perhaps this lockdown will open our eyes to the value of more time at home and less time running around trying to do everything. I know I hate to miss out on things, and most of us are desperate to dive right back into all the social contact, but sometimes slowing down and simplifying life is really important and necessary.