The Power of Asking, “What’s Essential”?
"If you're searching for more time this year, start with a clean slate and choose what to add to your days rather than starting with a full schedule and trying to figure out
what to eliminate."
James Clear
Last month, I had to leave suddenly and unexpectedly from my home in Auburn, Alabama, to my home in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was 4 pm on a Friday, and I had two hours until heading to the airport. Packing is always a struggle for me, so I kept repeating this phrase, "What's essential?" I chose three regular and three workout outfits, my tennis shoes, and one other pair of shoes, and off I went.
As the week went on, it became evident I wouldn't return to Auburn before attending a wedding the following weekend. I had nothing to wear, and I didn't have a car to go shopping. So once again, I asked myself, "What's essential?" I kept it simple. I bought two outfits online and a pair of shoes, and off I went.
And here I am, still in Charlotte, with only the essentials.
Essential. It’s my word for the year.
In my post, Navigating The Depletion Deilima: The Story of A Covered Wagon, I wrote about my wagon being too full. I had accumulated so many "things," and not just in the physical sense. I made a list of these items in December and set them aside.
As I look at my list now, I ask the same question I stated above, "What's essential?"
James Clear might be on to something when he invites us to answer the following questions:
Imagine all your responsibilities and obligations vanish overnight.
What would you miss doing? What would you choose to add back to your life?
If you're searching for more time this year, start with a clean slate and choose what to add to your days rather than starting with a full schedule and trying to figure out what to eliminate.
"What would you miss?" This question resonates deeply with me. It feels like the heart of letting go of the nonessentials. A familiar phrase rearing its ugly head: FOMO, the fear of missing out. It shows up in so many ways:
Passing up a course I want to take.
Getting rid of an outfit I never wear.
Saying no to plans.
Missing the latest trends because I wasn't on Instagram.
The list goes on and on.
How about you? What are you afraid of missing out on? If you cleaned the slate, what would you be doing? What's essential?
Stop for a moment and say the phrase out loud, "What's essential?"
Right now.
At this moment.
On this day.
In this month.
For this year.
Whatever your answer, go and do that! Keep it simple. Keep it light. Remember, you are exactly where you are meant to be. You're not missing out.
Walking the Journey with You,
MeganPrayer for February:
Dear God,
Often, I get bogged down by everything life throws my way. I bury myself with "too much." Help me determine what's essential. When I want to let go but fear missing out, remind me that I am exactly where I am meant to be. If necessary, help me wipe the slate clean and begin again. Amen
A bonus quote from James Clear:
"Be ruthless about what you ignore. Time, energy, and resources are so precious. You have to be ferocious about cutting your priorities—more than you realize and certainly more than is comfortable.
You can only deeply commit to a few things. One or two? Maybe three?
Every pretty good, sorta nice, kinda fun thing you abandon is like shedding a weighted vest that lets you move at top speed. You were so busy focusing on how much you could carry, you never realized you could run this fast."
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