by Emily Ley
I’ve learned, above all, that less is truly beautiful. That happiness and contentment can’t be manufactured, bought, subscribed to, or achieved by adding more to our lives. It’s the counter-intuitive action of stripping away the excess that allows us to discover beauty and joy in the good lives we already have.
In walking
this journey,
I’ve found BEAUTY
in STILLNESS like
never before.
DEAR CAROLINE
Dear Caroline,
Here we are. But this isn’t the end of my story. And it’s not the end of yours. Our journeys toward becoming the girls God called us to be continue every day. It’s a beautiful, perfectly imperfect process—this undoing, unbecoming, and untangling ourselves from the world, this finding of more through less.
So I will leave you with this: you, my beauty, are different than you were when you first picked up this book. Now you know. You know you were made for more. With this knowledge, you have the power to choose which path you will take from here, what priorities you will place at the top of the list, and what type of life you will create for yourself.
Nothing is more beautiful than being a woman. Use every ounce of spirit and strength in you to boldly stake your claim in this world. Change is scary, but God is good. Transformation happens little by little. Dig deep into your heart, and plant this seed of truth: you are worthy, my girl. You are spirited, strong, and bold. You are never too big or too small. And you are always great, especially when you are good. Above all, my girl, be you.
Enjoy the pigeons that swipe the crust from the sky. Savor the sound of your own little one’s rhythmic breaths as he or she drifts to sleep in your lap. Never forget the weight of that little body on yours. Cultivate a home that makes you feel alive, safe, and comforted. There is magic in that. Treasure music, stories, and imagination. Allow God to work His wonder in you.
No matter who you become, sweet Caroline, you are so loved. By me, by your daddy, and by your heavenly Father. He made you just right.
Love,
You are WORTHY, my girl.
You are SPIRITED,
STRONG, and BOLD.
You are never too big or too small.
And you are always great,
especially when you are good.
Above all, my girl, be you.
CONTINUING THE JOURNEY
Inspiration, Favorites, and More
Along the way, I’ve curated a selection of favorite books, songs, and ideas that inspire me to connect (and reconnect) with my desire for slower, simpler living. I hope you find the resources that follow to be uplifting, encouraging, and thought-provoking.
I’ve also included space for you to add to these lists so they can become special resources for you to return to when life inevitably begins to feel frantic again. Remember, the journey to less is just that: an imperfect, continual journey to living your very best life.
ENCOURAGING PEOPLE to FOLLOW
• @erinloechner • @simply.living.well
• @sallyclarkson • @cupofjo
• @wellwateredwomen • @bevcooks
• @readtealeaves • @simple.slow.living
• @morganharpernichols • @shereadstruth
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INSPIRING BOOKS to READ
• Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner
• Only Love Today by Rachel Macy Stafford
• The Lifegiving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson
• Slow by Brooke McAlary
• Simple Matters by Erin Boyle
• The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
• Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
• Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman
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FAVORITE TRUTHS to LEAN ON
These are a few of my favorite verses—truths I’ve tucked deep in my heart for when I need them most. I hope they are encouraging to you as well.
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14
WAYS to MAKE a HOUSE a HOME
I’ve been tasked with making our house a home five times over the course of my adulthood. In crafting our homes, I’ve learned that there are a few small comforts that really help evoke those special feelings of belonging, ease, and coziness. Here are a select few.
• A family calendar
• Live plants
• Children’s artwork
• Photographs
• Beloved books
• Framed cards or notes from others
• Flowers (or even weeds!) from the yard
• Treats within arm’s reach (a bowl of candy)
• Pressed flowers from a nature walk
• A prism hung from a window (dancing rainbows everywhere)
• Treasures displayed as decor (a favorite recipe tin, bronzed baby shoes, or your grandmother’s Bible)
• Pillows and blankets near seating areas
[Your Response Here]
FAVORITE SONGS to SLOW DOWN TO
Just as decor sets the mood of a room, so too do the sounds and songs we allow to fill its space. I’ve created a collection of beloved songs—those that help us slow our pace, settle in, and breathe a little deeper. This playlist is perfect for soothing rushed mornings, as background music for dinnertime, or even just to slow your heart a bit after a hurried day.
Find my When Less Becomes More playlist at emilyley.co/WLBM-soundtrack
OTHER SOUND IDEAS
• White noise: the bedtime sound of choice at our house.
• Acoustic music: our family loves a good guitar song.
• Instrumental acoustic music: each of my books was written to this music.
• Audiobooks: children’s audiobooks are a great way to settle lively little spirits.
• Silence: give it a try!
SIMPLE ACTIVITIES to DO with KIDS
Take a nap together in the middle of the day. Even just a few minutes of rest and conversation will do wonders.
Play outside with a water hose. The opportunities here are endless.
Find a dirt pile. Dirt piles are magical playgrounds.
Make cookies or a snack together in the kitchen. Perhaps take a blanket outside for a picnic. Or sit right down on the kitchen floor. Your kids will love the change of pace.
Lie in the grass and watch the clouds. Look for bugs in the grass. There are worlds waiting to be discovered outside.
Go for a nature walk with a small bag or bucket. Look for little treasures along the way.
Plant something, water it daily, and watch it grow.
Color. Draw. Get creative. All you need are crayons, paper, and patience.
Look through old photos together. Tell stories of when you were a child.
SPECIAL SENTIMENTS for KIDS
Our words have power. We can build up or tear down. With children, we have such opportunity to plant seeds of confidence and love by tenderly sharing genuine sentiments daily. I love discovering affirmations beyond the standard “I love you.” The collection below includes words shared with me by my own mom, those that I’ve gathered to share with my kids, and a few I’ve overheard friends say to their little ones. What a blessing it is to be adored.
• I love being your mom.
• I appreciate the
big kid you’re becoming.
• That thing you did today was brave.
• You’ve made me think of things in a new way.
• The jobs you do around our house help our family.
• I love your happy heart today!
• Being your mom is my greatest adventure.
• I love spending time with you, just you.
• I really like hearing about your day.
• I’m so grateful God gave you to me.
• You are beautiful, even when you’re unhappy.
[Your Response Here]
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Bryan, you’ve loved me through the more and the less and everything in between. I’m the luckiest to get to do life by your side.
Brady, you are my sunshine. My whole world changed in the most beautiful way the day you were born. When life gets complicated, come home to your mama. I love you forever.
Tyler, your spirit brightens my every day. You are delightfully joyful, and I hope I can grow up to be more like you. I love you, TJ.
Caroline, this book is for you. I’ve been there, and I will love you through it when you get there. Beauties, forever.
Mom and Dad, thanks for telling me I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up. And for always believing me when I said I’d become a writer. I still can’t believe it’s true, but you always knew it would be. Mom, thank you for living this journey before me—for knowing the truth in your heart, gently teaching me along the way, and allowing me to slowly and messily experience my own discoveries. To be a mother who can teach her child the way she should go, comfort her when she messes it up, and support her as she figures it out . . . I hope I can do that for my girl too.
Brett, thank you for encouraging me endlessly and always.
Gina and Ashley, thank you for allowing me to share your talents and photos in this book. Even more, thank you for believing in this message and helping me bring it to life.
Laura, MacKenzie, Jen, Mike, Stef, Hannah, and Shari, thank you for loving this book into existence and helping me launch it into the world.
Claudia, thank you for your endless guidance and direction on this journey with me.
Jessa, your art gives so much life to my words in this book. I am so grateful for all you contributed to this book baby.
Whit and McKay, thank you for allowing me to share your stories in these pages. Your words and journeys are so special.
Brittany, Whit, Hannah, Dusty, Taylor, Jessa, and Lindsey, thank you for reading these words first and helping me shape them along the way. I am so grateful for each of you.
Kristin, I love you, friend. Thanks for championing the importance of this message with me. And for all those afternoon walks.
To all our Pensacola friends, thank you for welcoming our family home.
To all the friends who let me bounce these words off of them, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
EMILY LEY is the founder of Simplified®, a brand of planners and organizational tools for busy women. Emily has been featured in Forbes, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Glamour, and Good Housekeeping. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best New Product at the National Stationery Show as well as Top 10 Designers to Watch by Stationery Trends Magazine. Emily and her team recently collaborated with AT-A-GLANCE® to create gift and planning collections carried in Office Depot, Staples, and Target. Emily is the author of national bestselling books Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy and A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living. Emily lives in Pensacola, Florida, with her husband, Bryan, and their son Brady (8) and twins Tyler and Caroline (4).
