Thursday, June 12, 2014

Is Less Really More?

I'm sure we all have heard the phrase "less is more" a time, two or twenty. While I do agree that there are moments where simplicity and clarity make for a better decision/situation, I also have to say it is important to evaluate what you are taking less of. Certain things in life need to have more emphasis and attention placed on them. Now, before I ramble on and probably begin to confuse you I'm going to wrap up this intro and get on to the meat of today's thinking out loud with Amanda!


• Less Talking : More Listening
I remember learning back in my freshman year of college that there was a difference between hearing and listening. Listening is something that takes conscious effort. We have to make the choice to really listen to those we are with which takes the decision to close our own mouths for a few minutes. It also involves us to not already be thinking about what we will say next. Just because there isn't sound coming from our mouths doesn't mean that we aren't still in talking mode. I have done this even myself. There have been times that I am so focused on my next point to make that I completely disregard (not purposefully) what the other has said. I know now that in these instances my time would have been better spent by slowing myself down and actually listening. 

• Less Planning : More Doing
I am a definite planner in life, but at the same time I can still understand and appreciate this one. Planning can take away from living in the here and now. At times it is easy to get drawn into trying to dictate our own future that we forget to embrace what is happening in the present. It also can make change harder to accept. When we make a plan we also set a goal and if you're anything like me when you make a goal you don't rest until you reach it. The problem I tend to encounter though is that when life happens I get frazzled because my goal is no longer feasible. Yes, planning is necessary. There are many things that would not happen without a plan and honestly I will always be a planner. However, it's beneficial to form a happy medium. Such as: make a plan, yet also be able to go with the flow.

• Less Complaining : More Encouraging
Something I live by and have mentioned quite a few times on here already is the thought that there is always someone out there who is struggling equally or worse than you are. When we decide to look to these individuals the problems we are facing do not seem as severe anymore. By taking our off ourselves and helping others we also can even get to the point where we forget whatever we were complaining about in the first place. Growing up my parents used to take me quite often to volunteer at the soup kitchen. I was and still am thankful for that because I learned a lot from the experiences I had there. It made the little things I was concerned about not feel as big. There is one Saturday morning in particular that I will never forget. As I was serving food I was smiling and interacting with those who were there. Towards the end when I was beginning to clean up a man who I had served earlier walked over to me. He told me that he just wanted to thank me for being so kind. He told me that he couldn't remember the last time he had a person smile at him and because of that he knew he was going to have a great day. A simple smile, something we all probably take for granted because we multiple times a day, meant the world to him. I think to this exact time and place often because it reopens my eyes - I mean really, what do we have to complain about?

• Less Worrying : More Hoping
Worrying gets us nowhere. It does not have the power to fix a problem nor take it away. All it has the power to do is stress us out more then we already may be or more then we need to. In almost every scenario where I worry I find myself thinking only about the worst possible outcome that could be. Then it becomes very easy to fixate on said outcome and get stuck in a rut. There's a pretty quick fix to eliminating unnecessary worry, think of the best things that could happen - hope. 

• Less Frowning : More Smiling
Spending time frowning will not change your mood however putting a smile on your face possibly could. How? Smiling releases endorphins in your body. Endorphins  which I have also seen referred to as the happy hormones, trigger a positive feeling in the body. Of course it's not instantly going to make life better, but it could help life your spirits. Also, it takes less muscles to smile then it does to frown. So unless you are trying to give your face muscles a workout…smile!


Source

• Less Doubting : More Believing
Words are commanding tools. What you think and say plays a huge role in the actions you think you can take. If you tell yourself enough times "I can't do it" odds are you won't be able to do it. Now this doesn't go to say that by simply say "I can do it" you will be able to. It is not black and white that way because completing a task or activity obviously still will take effort and work. So now you are probably asking well then what is the point. The point is that saying "I can do it" gets you one step further because you are believing in yourself. You are creating a positive mindset and removing doubt.

• Less Insecurity : More Trust
This is a very hard one for me because my senior year in high school I was bullied pretty bad. After this I became skeptical of everyone. I began to live in fear of being hurt again so I would basically shut down. And I started to let it dictate my life. I would not trust someone until they gave me a reason to. I built up walls and started filtering everything. And I still struggle with it here and there because when I do get hurt I want to retreat to these old ways. But, I have worked too much to free myself of the insecurities my senior year created. What I keep in the forefront of my mind to not go back to that place is that hurt is going to happen and we all experience it. Over time I've learned that it is okay to trust; letting down walls has brought many incredible relationships my way. 

• Less Weakness : More Confidence
Confidence is key and can carry you a long way. The only person who should determine the level of trust and belief you have inside yourself is you yourself. We all have everything inside of us we need to be who we are meant to be. It is important to remember that there is a difference between being confident and having a big head/full of yourself. A humble person can still yield confidence. 

• Less Ignorance : More Understanding
No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. Each of us has something to learn everyday. Life happens and things don't always go as planned. At one point or another we all will encounter failure. 

• Less Hate : More Love
Far too often I have overheard people not liking others just because their friend doesn't like them. They "hate" them without even taking the chance to get to know the person. Also, books (people) definitely get judged by their cover. I can say from personal testimonies that covers can be deceiving. Give people the time of day and I can guarantee that many will end up surprising you.

• Less Ungratefulness : More Gratitude
Live life with an attitude of gratitude because there truly is so much to celebrate. Don't get caught up in the minor objects/details otherwise you will forever be searching for more. I feel as if this set is very similar to the one above; Less Complaining : More Encouraging. When you find yourself unsatisfied remember all the luxuries you have at your fingertips that others do not. 

Source

Wishing you all a happy Thursday!

Questions of the Day:
1) Which is something you think would be difficult?
2) Are there any that you currently try to do?
3) What ones could you use right now?

❤ Nichole 

27 comments:

  1. This is an awesome premise for a post. You should link this one up too I think people can get a lot from it! I think it makes habits easier to break if we can just focus on doing less of it instead of never doing it at all.

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    1. I'm just getting to my computer to respond to comments but I did see this on my phone this morning and linked up right away! Thanks for the idea to do so:) I agree with that you said most certainly. Doing less of something seems way less intimidating.

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  2. I really struggle with the worrying/hoping. Worrying doesn't help anything, but then again neither does just hoping. I guess hoping, paired with DOING and a positive attitude is a good thing. It just seems like when I hope for something I set myself up to be disappointed.

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    1. I like the point you made that just hoping alone doesn't necessarily help anything either. It is so true. Action definitely must be taken for something to happen. I struggle with worrying often too so for me personally hoping for the best in a situation just helps to create that positive attitude because when I worry I automatically think down.

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  3. Another great post, girl! I think the one I could use the most work on right now is less doubting, more believing. I have this nasty habit of shooting myself down before I even try because I don't think I'll be able to do something, and it really ends up holding me back from a lot of things in life. It's gotten better, but it's definitely a work in progress.

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    1. I used to do that a lot and at times still do so I can relate. Through the recovery process of my surgery I learned that I really can do whatever I put my mind to. Its not always easy and it may take time but through persistence and belief in myself anything is possible. I think that because of the way society is today this is something which is a work in progress for us all<3

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  4. I love this post! I'm such a planner and end up making list upon list instead of actually doing it!

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    1. Something I tried to start when I realized I was doing this same thing was to organize my lists based on order of importance. It at least made it so the things I was doing first were the more pertinent items! Maybe this could help you a little too!

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  5. I absolutely ADORE THIS! I'm sorry you had some tough times but love your resilience and strength! I have had a lot of success moving away from the negativity and into the positive lifestyle but it's still tough not to be skeptical or cynical of people. I just don't like disappointment. But confidence is certainly key.

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    1. It really is still tough at times because its apart of being human. I think it is awesome that you have the confidence to say you know you have success at living a positive lifestyle. Keep with it!

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  6. I'm so good at planning things but not good at doing everything. This is usually things like exercise and cleaning ha.

    Great post, really gave me some food for thought!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. Similarly mine is cooking! I have all these pins of ideas to cook and really want to, but have followed through with no where near as many as I could!

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  7. I love this post, sometimes, less is more, but not always as you have proven. Since I got ill I go out less, but when I do it is more, it means more and I am more grateful than I would've been before!
    I love the 'less hate more love' you are always sharing the love, we need more of you and less hateful people!

    Xx Hayley

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    1. I LOVE the example you gave of even though you go out less now there is so much more meaning when you do. That is exactly what this is all about and I think that illustrates it beautifully. I see and think very much the same as you which creates tons of appreciation from me to you on what you share!

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  8. I definitely need to employ less doubting more believing. Great post
    Beth x
    mermaidindisguise.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Unfortunately it is so easy to be put down that doubting can become ingrained in us. It did for me for a large span of time. It can become much easier to control though when we are aware of it. Thank you Beth!

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  9. For me it is "Less Planning....More Doing". Instead of making lists and spending time talking about the LONG list of things I have to do....I need to follow the Nike slogan and JUST TO IT! Thanks for the motivation!!!! Gotta go....I got stuff to get done!

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    1. Haha! You and me both! I just fancy making lists…I need to find the happy medium!

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  10. Love this Nichole! :) I need to start doing less worrying and more hoping. I seem to spend all of my life worrying about the most insignificant things, no matter how big or small. I will keep this post in mind for the next time I'm worrying to remind me to believe in myself a bit more :) xx

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    1. Worry at times comes like second nature to me so I'm right there with you. I'm glad this post was helpful though because you have nothing to doubt girl!

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  11. Nichole I love your blog and posts! I had your same surgery 7 weeks ago and you are such an inspiration. I'm still in the recovery process, but know how important a positive mentality is. through it all. If you can dream it, you can
    achieve it! One thing that helps me with worry that I can do now is restorative yoga. It's not very physical, but really helps to center your mind.

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    1. Oh my goodness Katie if you ever need to talk please do not hesitate to contact me via email, twitter, Facebook - whatever whenever I'm here for you. I would love to talk with you and help in any way possible. I didn't know anyone and look to help in different forums, but sometimes thats hard because you aren't sure who or what. So please feel free to contact me. My email is upbeatuplifts@gmail.com - A positive mentality is definitely key because there is so much going on all at once. It sounds like you got it though:)) I've never heard of restorative yoga, but just by the name is certainly does seem like it would be a wonderful thing. Just remember to always take it one step at a time. There may be frustrations here or there, but you will get through it. I am back to my daily life, doing more then I was prior to surgery and more then I ever expected to be. I will be thinking of you darling. And again, don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here. xoxo.

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  12. What a fantastic post! The world needs to read this and we would be on a better path in life. Less complaining and more encouraging- how true. There are numerous things on this list that I am going to work on!

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    1. Awww, thank you for your sweet words Heather!! There are so many on here I have started to try to work to make myself more aware of in daily things too!

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  13. oooohhh I'm struggling to answer the questions :( I'm shocking at this but I'm just leaving you a comment to let you know I read the post & really enjoyed it Nichole! :) xxx

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