I've just got back from a lovely overnight trip up to London with my husband. We went up to see Wicked the musical and enjoy a meal in China Town, which was his Christmas gift from me. I'm very into giving people experiences for their presents rather than something physical that they don't actually want or need. Of course the added bonus is that I get to enjoy this gift too. Clever, right?
Whilst we were
away together I was reminded that less really is more in so many ways. We only
had one night away due to our children and finances but because we had that
limited time we made the most of the time we did have and really enjoyed it.
Also because we go away on our own so infrequently nowadays, again is it that
same thing, that we relish the time. We have far less time together and
certainly less breaks away but I think we treasure and embrace them more now
than we ever did in our twenties.
On arrival in
London we didn't want to have to rush to our hotel to leave bags so we decided
to pack light and managed with just my handbag and a small rucksack that my
hubby carried. This was comfortable for our two mile walk from China Town to
Vauxhall, where we had booked a Travelodge for a good price of just £59 for the
room. Thus providing another example that less is more as it was at least £40
cheaper than anywhere else and that difference paid for our Chinese meal and very
good it was too.
We actually got
talking about the less is more subject on the tube. My husband was complaining
that he finds tube travel so cluttered and over-stimulating. Not just because
of the amount of people but because of all the advertising, directions and
safety signs. On the way home on our mainline train he pointed out to me how
much less signage and advertising there is and that it makes him far more
likely to take notice.
For some reason
the concept of less is more has not left me in the last few days and I've even
had conversations with each of the children about various different things
where I've had to emphasis this point and not even been conscious of doing it
at the time. Miss E was discussing her art with me; she has taken to creating
beautiful pictures with Bible scripture with her new watercolour pencils and we
talked about how sometimes too much overcrowds a picture and takes something
away from it. So she is focusing on beautiful simplicity at the moment in much
the same way as the renowned architect Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe when he often
used the phrase 'less is more'.
With Miss M it
was the classic girl and her mum conversation (although I feel it's coming
pretty early, she is only 9 years old after all) about how less make-up
definitely looks more effective than too much slapped on and clogging the
child's pores and taking away their natural beauty. Oh and before you worry
that she is wearing make-up already, she isn't. Her aunt bought her a kit for
Christmas and I allow her to play with it at home.
I'll give you
one guess what JJ and I were discussing? Yep, tech use of course. He would sit
on his laptop, or failing that iPad, or failing that his phone for every minute
of every day if he was allowed and we as adults, all know you can get too much
of a good thing. So he has regular tech free days and I make him get out and be
social. It's good for him and he enjoys his PC time much more when it is
limited, I know he does.
I think with the
amount I've been thinking about this over the last week it must be that 'less
is more' is a phrase I need to take to heart. Perhaps it is about my main issue
right now - my out of control eating, maybe each time I look at some food and
want more I have to remember that less really is more.... more healthy, more
realistic and more tasty if I just slow down and really savour it.
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