I thought that the end of my vacation called for a follow up piece.

It has been an interesting week and a half journey. I found the simplification process somewhat cathartic and, at times, quite frustrating.

I was able to make it through most of the areas on my list. A few will have to wait for early 2015 actions to occur before I can properly complete them.

What did I find?

Well, I found that freeing oneself of large mounds of the clutter we accumulate is quite liberating. Also, I found it a proper shift in my focus to create some habit change. While I am not necessarily a messy person, I am a long way from being fastidious. However, this endeavor has created a bit more … let’s call it attentiveness to what I have about and what I am about.

As I wrote it is easy to allow our lives to slip into autopilot and to become addicted to the various “things” we have about. Examination of the usefulness of these things and some reflection on their exact value provides avenue to change.

I found that I am not comfortable just how attached I, and my family, have grown to being electronically connected. However, I too found that it is simply a byproduct of the time we live in. I live part of my life out electronically. Not just because I have worked in the Information Technology industry, but because I put my thoughts and my life down in print. Published in some part here.

We have all become very dependent upon our technology. Yes, too much so. It has now become our weakness. Does it enrich my life? Yes. Could I do without it? Yes. It really all can be quite frustrating.
For Christmas one of the best gifts I received was a very simple leather note pad binder. Those who know me know I have quite a fondness for simple leather products. To be honest, I have a fondness for simple and well made products of all kinds. However, leather covers and binders are truly special. The smell and the feel of them and the fact that they just get better with age is what makes them unique. That and the fact that in their natural state, no two are the same.

Much like people.

And this too I found. I missed the personal connections I have with people. I took the time to visit a few special friends over the holidays and really reconnect. Each provided such richness in my life and each further validated the proof that it is these things which are most important in a simple life. I like how no two of them are the same as well.

After much reflection over this time I am standing firm on the four “S’” of my process;

Simplicity – Strength – Stewardship – Substance

Each of these plays into how I find the most important in life. Reducing the complications, improving myself, being attentive with what I am given in life and being meaningful.

As I head back to work I do so with a much easier mind. I am looking forward to 2015 and whatever it holds.

This Vitruvian Journey is not at its end. No, in many ways it is just beginning.