Simple is Sacred: You Deserve More Than Normal 

How does new information you read, hear or see about a healthier lifestyle sit with you? Maybe you are excited about the opportunity? Are you encouraged seeing another’s success? Is there a glimmer of hope just because you noticed the words at all? Does it seem simple?

Or flip side, does it illicit FEAR or maybe SHAME? Do you find yourself dismissing the information altogether not seeing its relevance, believing you are sicker than others? Are you interested but tomorrow is another day? Do you feel you fit in and all is normal?

One of the mantras I live by is that normal is not good enough anymore.   Being “normal” used to mean safety, blending in. Living by what was expected, accepted and familiar.  But somewhere along the way, normal began to include chronic stress, poor sleep, processed foods, emotional disconnection. It is still accepted and familiar, but is it what is best for us? For you?

Most of us take the road of least resistance when going about our day. Our time is scheduled, our efforts are in constant demand, and our energy is stretched thin. Normal is now often used as a crutch and excuse.  When looking at everyone else’s normal and comparing and judging yourself to that, the disconnect to what you are actually feeling may be overwhelming. I bring this up because in my book Healing Habits I present 20 principles that most people already embrace in their lifestyle. Eat, sleep, movement, emotions, routines, work, being outdoors or indoors. Nothing over the top or new-fangled concepts here. These are simple concepts anyone can understand. Young children do them unconsciously – it’s the unlearning required as we grow older that complicates.

The habits connected to each principle are practical ideas designed to turn positive actions into healthier, more intentional choices. Choices that reduce stress and inflammation and help the body to heal. Sound complicated, overwhelming and a lot of effort? Where is the easy button?

There are theories out there now that we are a society wanting information that has been dumbed down. To-do lists and magic pills. Information overload leaves us little time to process and it is easier to just be told.  But dumb leads us to quick fixes and often disillusionment in the mask it creates. The complexity and depth of a decision made, a detoxed body made well, emotions that bring peace or a life lived with purpose cannot be dumbed down. But they can be made simple. Simple can be hard or easy and is always learnable and doable.  A simple decision can bring happiness or despair for a lifetime. It can create a lifestyle of struggle or support a healthy body. Simple is powerful because it removes pressure. You can start where you are and grow.

Simple ideas can be processed into more intentional choices and actionable habits.  Our efforts can be gentle steps or big decisions. In the end our health deserves more than normal. And that is simple.