Finding Simplicity in an Unlikely Place
Or....how I found important insight into life during a trip to the auto parts store.
About a month ago, I found myself in an auto parts store needing a new windshield wiper blade. Mine had snapped off while clearing snow from my car, and I had no idea how to replace it.
As soon as I walked in, the employee asked what I needed. I told him, and within seconds, he entered my car’s make and model into the computer which told him exactly which wiper blade I required—no comparing brands, no standing in an aisle debating options. He grabbed it from the shelf, rang me up, and before I even reached my car, he had installed the new blade. I was in and out in minutes.
It was one of the most efficient, stress-free transactions I’ve had in a long time. And it got me thinking: why can’t more things in life be this simple?
There are Too Many Choices
One of the reasons why I don’t shop at Walmart is literally because the shelves are filled with too many options. The thought of staring at 50 choices for mustard - different brands, sizes, and flavors - is overwhelming to me. I prefer my small-town grocery store—the one that carries just the basics, where I don’t have to dodge aisles of home decor and and the newest spring fashions while picking up a loaf of bread.
Think about how often we get stuck in decision fatigue:
Shopping for everyday items – Choosing toothpaste shouldn’t feel like a research project. Do we really need 20 variations of whitening, enamel strengthening, and charcoal-infused formulas?
Finding something to watch – How many times have you scrolled through Netflix for 30 minutes only to give up and watch nothing?
Decorating your home – It’s hard to confidently create a home you love with too many paint colors, furniture options, or design trends to choose from.
Searching for information– A simple question like how to organize a pantry leads to endless opinions, Pinterest boards, and products you never knew existed but now feel like you need.
More choices don’t always mean a better experience. Sometimes, they just mean more decisions to make, more time wasted, and more mental clutter.
Systems Make Life Easier
The auto parts store had a system in place. I gave a small bit of information, and in return, I got exactly what I needed—quick, effortless, and without second-guessing.
Good systems remove stress and simplify decision-making. They keep things running smoothly, whether it’s in a store, a business, or a home.
Think about how much easier life would be if everything had a clear system:
A well-organized kitchen where every tool has a home.
A simple meal plan that removes the daily what’s for dinner? debate.
A cleaning routine that keeps things tidy without feeling overwhelming.
A capsule wardrobe that eliminates the stress of deciding what to wear.
When we put systems in place, we free up mental space for what actually matters. Life becomes less about keeping our heads above water and more about living.
The Power of Asking for Help
I could have figured out how to install that wiper blade myself. YouTube is full of tutorials. But why? The employee was happy to help, had likely done it a hundred times before, and in seconds, the problem was solved.
How often do we struggle through things just because we think we should do them ourselves? When did we decide that asking for help is a sign of weakness instead of a way to make life easier?
Urgency Creates Action
I’m a procrastinator by nature. I can put off anything—laundry, paying bills, even things I want to do. But I couldn’t put this off. A missing windshield wiper in winter isn’t something that can wait. The store was on my way home, so I took care of it immediately and it felt refreshing to know I just got it done.
Sometimes, urgency forces us to act. But what if we didn’t wait for things to become urgent? What if we simplified our to-do lists and got things accomplished before they became problems?
That quick stop at the auto parts store reminded me how good it feels when life just works.
When we eliminate unnecessary decisions. When we accept help. When we tackle small problems before they grow into bigger ones. When we live life with less effort and more intention.
Simplicity isn’t just about owning fewer things. It’s about designing a life where we’re not constantly overwhelmed, where we don’t waste energy on things that don’t matter. It’s about making space for what does matter.
Maybe it starts with a windshield wiper blade. Maybe it starts with choosing the small grocery store over the superstore. Maybe it starts with setting up a system that makes daily life easier.
What’s one way you can simplify something today?
Until next time,
FOLLOW ALONG ON THE JOURNEY
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