On Unlocking Simplicity...

If you’ve ever read a Lonely Planet guide on Medellin, amongst stories of Escobar you’ll likely also learn that it is known as the ‘City of Eternal Springs’ due to its year-round ‘spring-like’ climate.

But don’t be fooled, the weather can change in an instant here.

Earlier this week, I sat peacefully on my sunny balcony watching tropical blue and yellow birds, when a thick grey cloud rolled in and engulfed the skies. The storm suddenly unleashed a furious downpour of hailstones that pounded the city for an hour. While the contrast between the sound of peaceful birdsong and screeching thunder was stark, the temperature remained the same. 

From this, a profound insight emerged:

The words '“Unlocking Simplicity” flowed from my pen onto my notebook. Though we may not always be able to see or feel it, simplicity is always present.

I continued watching the rain descend and reflected on the erratic weather patterns I’d encountered during my last 7 months of slow travelling in South America. From intense storms in Quito to the vibrant, sunny streets of Cali and the tranquil Andes mountains of Peru, the weather is as mercurial as our thoughts and emotions.

Which is no wonder. In the face of ongoing uncertainty climate change, living costs, and political instability, it's no surprise that our mental states can shift quickly from positive to doubtful. The pandemic of course, further amplified these feelings as we continue to adjust to a new way of living.

Simplicity seems to be the antidote to our fast-paced, high-stress lifestyles. So I’d love you to join me on this journey of exploration as we discover how unlocking simplicity can help us find peace and contentment amidst the chaos of life.

Simplicity and the Pandemic

Many of you know, I managed to get myself locked down in India for 9 months during the pandemic.

In the world’s strictest lockdown and living in a hostel with up to 60 other travellers at a time. The remarkably absurd circumstances meant living with a group of complete strangers for almost 2 months. With limited water and food in quarantine with no clarity on when the lockdown would end. What came as a complete surprise to me was finding joy in what seemed like the worst possible scenario. Never had I imagined living full-time with people from all walks of life and connecting with them so deeply. Or waking up without alarms and singing with musicians under the stars. Nor feeling incredibly grateful for a simple apple or a hot shower. While Indian police literally guarded the streets with bamboo sticks, the lockdown somehow became the time that I discovered the most freedom and happiness in my life.

Yes, water was limited.

Yes, food was restricted to a basic diet of daal and rice (as the staff attempted to feed 60 hungry bellies 3 times a day).

Yes, I shared a dorm bedroom with 5 other people for months and of course, there were a million questions about how long this would go on.

However, as my basic needs of food, water, shelter and community were being met- I found silence in my mind. Rather than stress about it, I let go of trying to control the situation. Fully accepting my reality I thought- why not just enjoy it?

As the days and weeks passed, most of the group came to accept our reality and embraced the lockdown. Taking it as an opportunity to heal, connect, slow down, release and have some fun. We danced, we sang, we shared our stories, cooked together and unlocked one another by simply being together. Over time, I started to feel a burning sense of joy bubbling from inside me, learning how simply joyful life could be. In releasing control and anxiety of the situation, the lockdown helped me unlock the joy of simplicity and enjoying the present. Given that only the present is the only thing within our control.

As time went on, this silence transformed into a burning sense of joy bubbling from inside me. The lockdown taught me how to unlock the joy of simplicity and I continue to adopt this approach to life. I realised, that everything beyond our basic needs is truly a blessing.

The lockdown taught me that everything beyond our basic needs is truly a blessing.

I learnt simplicity teaches us gratitude and gratitude teaches us happiness. 

Unlocking Simplicity

So amidst all the chaos of the pandemic, unlocking simplicity became my saving grace. In the 3 years since I’ve continued to travel slowly and live simply- in Asia, Europe and South America. The lessons that continue to guide me powerfully are:

1. Letting go of anything weighing me down

2. Focusing on enjoying the present and living for today

3. And embracing more simplicity to create more freedom in my life.

Though it’s not for everyone, the slow travel lifestyle has allowed me and continues to allow me to discover simple joy. I would love you to join me on this journey as I simply and slowly work my way around the globe sharing lessons and stories. But if you feel my words do not quite resonate with you, I'll be sad to see you go but please feel free to spend your energy elsewhere. One thing I've learnt is that lessons appear in our lives when we are ready to hear them.

Maybe though, the thought of unlocking more simplicity in your life has sparked a small flame in you. Maybe, like me, you are being called to unlock something that has been caged up in you for too long. Perhaps, the feeling is strong but you’re unsure what direction to take.

On a weekly basis, I want to share my experiences with you. Particularly, the newfound consciousness that living this way has provided me. My new lifestyle means almost everything I own, I carry with me on my back. I have no permanent home address, no fixed hours of work, and no partner or children to account for. It’s an exciting and sometimes strange world to navigate. But when I live presently, I am grateful to be where I am. Mostly surrounded by people who admire the world around them. The ones like me, who get excited about stars, who find peace in sunsets and who heal from the sound of waves.

Those who also believe in the magic and simple beauty of life.

Final Word

Make no mistake, unlocking simplicity is not about giving up on our dreams and ambitions. Rather, it means focusing on what truly matters in our lives. It means stripping away all the unnecessary clutter and distractions and focusing on the present moment. Living a simple life doesn't mean living a boring life, either. In fact, I have found that unlocking simplicity allowed me to appreciate the little things in life that I would have overlooked before. Whether it's enjoying a slow cup of coffee on my balcony watching birds, having a day to do nothing or singing, dancing and creating art.

Nevertheless, I have come to appreciate the beauty of simplicity and the peace it brings to my life and I want to share some of that with you.

Like the weather, life is constantly evolving and changing, and we must learn to adapt and weather the storms. For it is in the midst of turbulence that we find our strength and resilience, and it is through these experiences that we grow and discover how we can simplify our circumstances. Unlocking simplicity teaches us that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, we can find peace and contentment by focusing on the present moment and appreciating the beauty of the simple things in life.

Embrace the storms and the sunshine, knowing that each and every moment is a gift and an opportunity for growth.

I started my own unlocking three years ago. You can too.

Always,

Sophia x