Simple

adjective: easy to understand or do; used to describe one important fact, truth, etc.; without decoration; plain

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Today, I simply wish to discuss the simplicity of the word simple. Someone dear to me has said on numerous occasions: “Life is simple. People make it complicated.” My first instinct was to argue the point, (as is often my instinct,) but when you stop and consider…

Most things are objectively simpler than they seem to be. “I need a holiday.” Go then. Simple. “I haven’t got enough money.” Complication created by our would-be traveller. Simple solution: save money. “I can’t save money! I don’t have any left after beer / going on my weekly lunch date…” Feel free to put what you like on the list, it will still be another complication created by our would-be globe-trotter. Simple solution: don’t buy those things. “But it’s what I enjoy! You’ve got to have a little pleasure in life…” Very true and perfectly fine. So you’d rather those things than the holiday. Simple. “No! I want a holiday! I just need more money…” Ok, the simple way to make more money is to work more, surely? “I can’t work more! I’m exhausted as it is! That’s why I need a holiday!” As you can see, our obliging example insists on making fulfilling their own desire so difficult and complicated it seems impossible to achieve. As do most people, in my experience…

We call those whose cognitive abilities we perceive as sub-par simpletons. Yet, wouldn’t life be far easier and more productive if we allowed it to be simple? “I need a holiday!” Go, then. “You know what? I will!” Job done. On to the next thing. Now, I’ll grant you that the next thing might well be something like “I need more money for my holiday”, but we’re already a lot further along than our previous example as we’ve eliminated the question of whether or not the holiday’s happening. Continuing the simple approach…

“I need more money for my holiday.” Save some. “Yeah, I could have a couple less beers a week / cut my lunch date down to every other week / reduce whatever expense and see if I can pick up an extra shift or two… I’ll be ready to go by next year!” I can almost see our simple, fictitious person smiling as they envisage warm sun, soft sand and beach bars. It’s the simple pleasures that make life worthwhile, isn’t it?

In today’s world, it can be difficult to see the wood for the trees sometimes. Ask a search engine or AI assistant what’s the best way to do just about anything and you’ll be swamped with information, a great deal of it inaccurate, irrelevant or both. Don’t get me wrong, when you haven’t a clue about something it can be a great starting point, but it’s invariably quicker and often more effective to just stick with the simple, obvious answer. Even if there is a better way of doing something, the time you waste finding it makes it just as effective to stick to the simple solution, if not more so. And honestly, if you’re looking for a different way of doing something, it’s probably because you don’t really want that thing enough to do what it takes, right?

“I want to lose weight.” Eat healthier and exercise more, then. Simple. “But I hate exercise and I can’t cope without my daily chocolate bar! Surely there must be another way?” Maybe, but I doubt it. Lots of people want there to be, and the internet’s flooded with promises of miracles, but I’ve yet to be convinced. Yes, changing your diet and starting an exercise routine is difficult and getting results takes time, but again, it’s the simple solution and the one that you know will work if you don’t make it complicated. There are no wrong choices: just your choices. It’s ok to choose unhealthy food and to move as little as possible. Just be aware you are making that choice and you have chosen the consequences that go with it. If you want to lose weight more than you want to eat chocolate in bed, you know the simple solution. If you don’t, that’s fine too, as long as it’s what you want. It’s all about you, dear reader, and there’s nothing selfish in choosing what you want out of life.

I believe this simple post has run its course. I look forward to speaking to you again next week, and keep it simple by not thinking too much!

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