s i m p l i c i t y .

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm ready to go to Germany and I'm not quite sure what they mean by that or how I'm supposed to respond ...

Mentally, I'm gone. My mind is definitely already there because I can't really think straight. Physically, I haven't really done much. Am I all packed? Of course not. 

So here I am, four days from leaving; my room is a disaster and my suitcases remain empty. Be proud of me though, I did ALL of my laundry yesterday. Now all I have to do is shove two months worth of clothes into my bags.

As I've made what little preparations I have for this trip I have realized some things about myself. I have a lot of stuff. This presents a problem when trying to pack light, which brings me to my second realization: For me there is a very fine line between what I really want and what I really need. I need clothes, but do I really need new ones to go to Germany? (That's debatable.) I really really want to buy new ones. But no ... you're right I don't need them.  What I really need to do is save the money and use it for something more important. I'm a girl, I need hair appliances ... but do I really need a curling iron, hair straightener AND a three barrel crimper for only eight weeks in Europe. No, I don't. Surely I can survive without them for a bit. (dang it.)

These two specific examples got me thinking. I need to simplify my life ... in all aspects not just what I'm taking with me to Germany.

I am reminded of a quote by Elder L. Tom Perry:

'In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives.'

By defining what I truly a need as opposed to what I merely want has already simplified the packing process and there isn't even anything in my suitcase yet. (p.s. I think I'm just going to bring my hair straightener.) So ask yourself: 'want this or need this?'

                      


s i m p l i f y   y o u r   l i f e .