Life is Simple — We Just Make It Complicated

I’ve always believed that life, at its core, is very simple. Somewhere along the way, though, we humans began to complicate it.

Our basic needs are straightforward: food, shelter, connection, a sense of purpose. But our minds are masters at weaving stories, creating fears, and setting expectations that turn these simple needs into tangled webs. We worry about the future, regret the past, compare ourselves to others, and build towering structures of “should” and “must” that weigh heavily on our hearts.

Philosophers have noticed this pattern for centuries. The Stoics, like Marcus Aurelius, taught that it is not events themselves that disturb us, but our judgments about them. Henry David Thoreau famously wrote in Walden, “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify!” Even in Buddhism, there is a teaching that suffering arises when we resist the simple reality of impermanence and interconnectedness.

Life invites us to live simply, but our minds often prefer complexity.

In my own life, I try to stay connected to simplicity in small but meaningful ways. I prioritize presence over perfection. I find joy in little rituals: an afternoon walk, a good conversation, a moment of stillness before a busy day. I try not to overload my schedule, and when decisions feel overwhelming, I remind myself to return to the essentials. What really matters? What brings genuine peace?

Life doesn’t have to be complicated. Often, the most beautiful moments are the simplest ones — a shared laugh, a sunset, a deep breath.

Maybe today, we can all pause for a moment and remember: Simplicity is always available to us, patiently waiting for us to choose it.