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Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the wear and tear of life — the quiet, constant erosion that comes from simply living.

Not the kind of wear that breaks us suddenly, but the slow accumulation that builds over time. The exhaustion that sits beneath the surface. The tension in the shoulders that we tell ourselves is “just normal.”

It’s the small things — the daily demands, the roles we play, the expectations we carry. Eventually, they start to show.

Recognizing the Wear

Our bodies are like shoes.

When they’re new, they bounce back easily. But as they carry more miles, the sole thins, the support softens, and every step starts to feel different.

When we’re young, we don’t notice the wear and tear as much. But as the years go by — and our responsibilities grow — the impact deepens. I’ve felt it myself, physically and emotionally, showing up in my body in places I didn’t expect.

For many of us, this is the moment of collapse — when we realize we can’t keep doing life the same way. Something inside us quietly says: enough.

When Surrender Becomes the Only Option

There comes a point where we realize:
​Not everything is up to me.

And that’s where surrender begins — not as giving up, but as learning.

What is life teaching me through this discomfort? Through the fatigue, the frustration, the pain?

The first step is awareness — noticing where the tension lives, how it speaks, how it tries to get your attention.

The second step is to simplify.

Because the more complex life gets, the more we drift away from what truly matters.

Simplifying Isn’t Easy

Simplifying sounds peaceful, but in practice, it can feel like loss.
It can feel like death — because choosing one thing often means letting go of another.

And letting go confronts our fear of missing out, our attachment to control, our desire to do it all.

But just as overeating leads to discomfort, taking on too much emotionally, physically, or mentally leads to overwhelm. The body always knows when you’ve had enough.

Listening to it — truly listening — is where simplicity begins.

Choosing What Matters Most

Everything in life multiplies.
You bring home one plant — and soon you need to water it, prune it, make space for it. Every “yes” leads to another responsibility.

So when you’re faced with choices, try to narrow them down.
If you have more than two, eliminate until there are just two.
Then ask yourself:

The answer will always lead you closer to peace.

Because happiness doesn’t come from having everything — it comes from knowing what’s enough.

Pain as Purification

Pain isn’t always punishment — sometimes it’s purification.
It strips away what’s no longer serving you, revealing what truly matters underneath.

I learned this firsthand when I had to simplify my life in every sense — even moving into a smaller space. Letting go of possessions, routines, and even parts of my identity was painful. It felt like a death of who I used to be.

But what remained — the people I love, the work that fulfills me, the quiet moments of peace — became the foundation for something truer.

Finding Joy in the Simple Things

Simplicity isn’t about deprivation. It’s about depth.
It’s the joy of doing something “boring” — like cooking a meal, walking outside, or sitting in stillness — and realizing this is enough.

It’s the decision to stop chasing, to stop complicating, and to start listening.

Because the greatest happiness often hides in the simplest rhythm:
breathe, notice, soften, repeat.

Try This This Week

1. Notice where life feels heavy. What’s pulling on your energy that doesn’t align with your values?
2. Simplify one thing. A commitment, a plan, a thought — let something go.
3. Reaffirm what matters most. Write down two things that make life meaningful to you right now.

When life wears you down, don’t run faster — strip it down.​
That’s where you’ll find peace again.

• Esther

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