Simpler Living Today

Home
United States
Apex, NC
Simpler Living Today

Welcome to our page! 🌿✨ Embrace simplicity and live happier with our tips, stories, and guidance on decluttering your mind, home, and schedule.

Reduce stress, improve well-being, and find balance. Let's make life simpler, together! Simpler Living Today™ Welcome!🌟

At Simpler Living Today, we provide personalized strategies to declutter your mind, home, and schedule. Our goal is to help you find clarity, reduce stress, and create a balanced life that resonates with your true values. Join us on this journey towards simplicity and happiness.

Explore our tips, insights, and resources designed to make life’s transitions smoother and more meaningful. Let’s work together to simplify your life and embrace a brighter future!

09/13/2025

The Same Place, A Year Later... with a big dose of awareness.
Every early morning, we walk the same path around the lake with Buster. The park has become our routine: Two miles of trail winding past wildlife and around the water that reflects the morning sky. It's a peaceful way to start each day.

The park draws different people throughout the week. Weekend mornings bring families with baseball gear and tennis rackets. The hiking trails see their share of joggers and nature lovers. But the early morning hours feel quieter, shared with dog walkers and others who appreciate the calm before the day gets busy.

About year ago, we met a woman in the parking lot. Her little dog had been watching Buster from her lap while she sat in her car. We'd assumed she was traveling, maybe taking a rest, clothes visible hanging in the backseat area. It was a pleasant, brief conversation, the kind that happens naturally between dog people.

This Saturday morning began like all the others. We pulled into our usual spot in the quieter section of the parking lot and prepared for our walk. Then we saw the car beside us, the same little dog looking our way, the same woman behind the wheel, the same clothes hanging in the back. She was busy typing something on her phone.

The moment of recognition was striking. We'd been seeing this car regularly over the months, parked in various spots around the lot. Somehow it had never registered until now, with this perfect repeat of our encounter from a year ago.

She appeared well-groomed, her dog looked healthy and content. The car had a stuff in it, but was tidy. We didn't stare, but nothing seemed amiss, except for the realization that was becoming clear: This car was her home.

As we walked our familiar loop, we found ourselves reflecting on what we'd just understood. Every day there are more stories about people living in vehicles, a staggering increase in homelessness in the face of these rising costs, people having to make hard decisions about where their money goes. These are beyond difficult times for many. Where is this going...

When we returned from our walk an hour later, the parking lot had filled up with more cars and sun screens covered her car windows - a simple gesture toward privacy that we respected, understanding the importance of not making someone feel observed or uncomfortable, especially when their living situation was more visible than most.

The park will be there tomorrow morning, as it has been every day, for many years. We'll be there, too. And most likely, so will she, all of us drawn to these quiet hours by the water, finding what we need in this shared space we call community.

08/17/2025

Saturday night brought one of those unexpected adventures that reminds you how interconnected we all are. What started as a routine walk with Buster turned into something much more meaningful when a car pulled up and the driver asked about a missing gray dog named Stanley.

Stanley had bolted when someone knocked on the door where he and his owner were visiting for the weekend. His owner was from Winston-Salem, unfamiliar with the area, and her twelve-year-old companion was somewhere out there in the darkness. We promised to help and took down the address, then decided to canvas the neighborhood on foot before expanding our search by car to the subdivision behind us.

We spotted him in the distance. Moving slowly and speaking softly, we called his name, but Stanley was too frightened and took off between the houses as darkness deepened. Another couple had seen him just ten minutes earlier, but he'd been too scared to approach them as well.

At the address we'd been given, a woman stood outside waiting. Stanley belonged to her best friend, and you could see the weight of her worry. She explained that this dog meant everything to her friend. She then contacted her husband and her friend to let them know of Stanley's whereabouts, before following us back to continue the search. We combed through the area until early morning, went home for a few hours of sleep, then returned.

Meeting Stanley's owner put everything into perspective. She lives alone in Winston-Salem, and at twelve years old, Stanley is her world. There was no question we'd keep looking.

During another sweep of our own community, we encountered a man changing a tire on his car. At the same moment, a young man approached with a piece of paper in his hand, clearly lost and speaking no English. Between all of of us and Google Translate, we pieced together that he had just moved to the area, didn't have his phone with him and was searching for his new apartment community. The paper he was carrying was a receipt from the community he had moved to, but it only showed a phone number that led to a generic voicemail - frustratingly unhelpful. We got in the car to get James, one of our Spanish speaking maintenance technicians, who gladly helped guide the young man to the right place. One lost soul found, one still missing...

Hours later, just as exhaustion was setting in, the phone rang with the news we'd been hoping for. Stanley had been found. A neighbor had coaxed him close enough to catch, and Animal Services had scanned his microchip. He was safe, and more importantly, he was going home.

As we drove back home, Buster sleeping peacefully in the backseat, we had to smile. The weekend hadn't gone according to plan at all, but we couldn't imagine having spent it any other way. Saturday had started as a simple dog walk and turned into something else entirely, a night and day spent in other people's stories.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that find you when you step outside your own plans and into the world that's happening all around.

08/08/2025

This morning, as the rain drummed softly on our porch roof, we spotted this tiny visitor taking shelter in our flowerbox: A baby green anole, barely an inch long and likely just hatched. There it was, perfectly camouflaged among the leaves, riding out the storm in the safety of our little covered sanctuary.

In our busy world, we often miss these precious encounters happening right outside our door. But here was this brand-new life, no bigger than a paperclip, showing us that sometimes the most extraordinary moments come in the smallest packages.

This little one didn't need much, just a dry leaf to rest on and a moment of peace. It reminded us that simplicity often provides exactly what we need. Our humble flowerbox became a five-star hotel for this tiny traveler.

As we sipped our coffee and watched our miniature guest, we realized how these small pauses, noticing a baby lizard, feeling grateful for shelter from the rain, sharing a quiet moment together, are what make life rich. The simple act of paying attention opened our hearts to wonder.

Sometimes the best part of simpler living is discovering that magic isn't something we need to chase. It's already here, waiting patiently in our flowerboxes, ready to remind us that every new day brings tiny miracles worth celebrating. ☕🦎🌿

08/02/2025

Terry moved to our community about a year ago, searching for his fresh start. Red-faced and determined, unloading his moving truck alone in the summer heat. Neighbors stepping in to help with the heavy boxes, and that's how these things begin: Small acts of kindness that weave the fabric of community.

He was rebuilding. Recently divorced, finding his footing, joining a local band to play the music of our youth. There's something beautiful about starting over, about having the courage to say "this chapter is different" and mean it. Terry seemed to be writing that new chapter with intention, meeting someone special, sharing joy over a neighbor's dog, maintaining good spirits even when life threw him a broken arm.

But life is fragile in ways we forget to remember.

The empty porch should have been a sign. The car parked in an unusual spot. The small details that, in hindsight, feel like whispers we didn't hear. Today we learned that Terry died alone, and it took days for anyone to realize he was gone. In a world of constant connection, how does someone slip away so quietly?

This isn't about guilt or what we should have done differently. It's about something deeper: The delicate balance between giving people space and staying connected, between respecting boundaries and showing up. Terry seemed happy. He seemed like he was thriving. But happiness and thriving don't make us immune to the unexpected, to the heart that simply stops.

What strikes us most is how much life Terry packed into that year. New community, new relationships, new music, new love. He didn't waste time waiting for the perfect moment to start living. Even with a broken arm, even while healing from divorce, he kept reaching toward connection and joy.

Maybe that's the lesson here. Not that we should hover over our neighbors or become overly involved in everyone's business, but that we should pay attention to the small signals. That we should remember how quickly an empty porch can become a permanent goodbye.

Check on people. Not just when they're struggling, but when they seem fine. Send the text. Make the call. Invite them for coffee. Ask how they're really doing and wait for the real answer.

Because sometimes the difference between dying alone and dying knowing you were seen, you were valued, you mattered to someone - sometimes that difference is just one conversation, one check-in, one moment of genuine connection.

Terry was building something new. In the end, he ran out of time to finish it. But for those of us still here, still writing our own chapters, there's still time to notice the empty porches, to see the signs, to show up for each other in the small, ordinary ways that make life less lonely.

We think we have time. We think there will always be another conversation, another chance to check in, another opportunity to truly see someone.

Time isn't promised. Connection is a choice we make daily.

What will you choose today?

07/27/2025

How good it feels to just be home safe at the end of the day…

It sounds simple, but with everything happening in the world right now, it doesn't feel small anymore. It feels important.

Just last night, after reading another difficult news story, we felt that familiar worry and upset creep in. That tight feeling in your chest, wondering what's happening to our world...

It's easy to feel helpless when everything feels so big and scary. Fear tells us we're never really safe, that we should always be worried, that finding peace is foolish.

But here's what we're learning: One can care about the world's problems and still protect one's own peace. One can stay informed and still feel grateful.

For us, that means coming home and taking a deep breath. It means being extra thankful for our place to call home. It means hugging our dog longer than usual. It means lighting a candle, sitting quietly, and remembering what's real right now: This moment, this safety, this breath.

We can't control what happens out there, but we can control what we let affect us. We can choose to focus on the good that's still here: Kindness, love, and the simple fact that we're safe.

If the world feels too loud or scary today, remember: It's okay to turn down the noise. It's okay to focus on your own life. It's okay to be grateful for things we usually take for granted.

You're allowed to feel peace, even when everything else feels chaotic.

07/20/2025

We've been thinking a lot lately about how relationships grow - in both life and business.

And one thing we keep coming back to is this:
The best relationships, the ones that really last, are built on mutuality.

Not perfection. Not constant agreement. But shared respect, shared effort, and shared appreciation.

Whether it's a client, a friend, a colleague, or a neighbor... the healthiest relationships are the ones where both sides give and both sides receive. Where people check in without being asked. Where there's a thank you for time and energy. Where support isn't just expected - it's returned.

Because without reciprocation, relationships start to feel one-sided. Without gratitude, they feel taken for granted. And without openness, they eventually stall out.

We've seen this play out in our own lives and work. We've experienced the relationships that breathe life into you, and the ones that quietly start to wear you down. And we've learned to pay attention to that.

Because real connection, the kind that actually feels good and lasts, needs space to move in both directions.

So today, we're thankful for the people who show up with intention. The clients who become collaborators. The friends who make the time. The partners who see what you give and want to give something back.

It doesn't have to be big. It just has to be real.

Mutual effort. Mutual care. Mutual respect.

That's the good stuff. And we don't take it for granted.

07/17/2025

I don’t always admit it… but by Friday, my desks starts looking like a crime scene...😆

Can anybody relate?

An abundance of reminder sticky notes I failed to pitch after completing the tasks, an embarrassing number of saved desktop icons, a coffee mug (sometimes two), two note pads (because one just wasn't enough), plus 3 pairs of my reading glasses...

What can I say - priorities.

But there’s something oddly satisfying, dare I say therapeutic, about doing a weekly desk cleaning.

Clearing the clutter. Clearing my desktop. Throwing away the sticky notes that are no longer needed (btw., was “call Dave peanut butter” a reminder or a warning?).

It’s not just about being organized.
It’s about clearing space for my brain.

I always feel a little lighter when I do it.
Like I can finally hear myself think again.

So, if you’re feeling foggy or overwhelmed, don’t underestimate the power of 15 minutes spent cleaning your desk, closing your tabs, and starting fresh.

Sometimes the fastest way to reset your mind is to reset your space.

Try it. You'll feel the shift.

And yes, you’re absolutely allowed to light a candle afterward like you just performed a sacred ritual.

Because honestly, you kind of did. 😊

07/15/2025

We’ve been noticing something over these past few years, not just in ourselves, but in the people around us too.

There’s just too much coming in. Too many updates. Too many opinions. Too much noise.

And while it might not feel overwhelming in the moment, it lingers.
Later in the day, you feel scattered. On edge. Mentally tired, even if you haven’t done much.

It’s not always about doing too much. Sometimes it’s just the weight of everything we’ve taken in without realizing it.

That constant stream of input, it really adds up.

Especially in the mornings and late at night, when we’re the most open and unguarded. A single piece of upsetting news, a harsh opinion, a stressful post - those things can shape the entire day or follow us into sleep. It’s hard to rest when the mind is still carrying the last thing it read.

So we’ve been making more room. More intentional pauses.

No checking headlines before coffee. No scrolling in bed.
More time with no screen at all. More moments where the only thing we’re paying attention to is what we’re thinking or how we're feeling.

Because the truth is, peace doesn’t come from knowing more.
It comes from protecting the space inside your own head.

Humans weren’t made to hold this much input, this constantly.
And we don’t have to.

Turning down the noise isn’t avoiding the world.
It’s choosing to be more present in it.

07/11/2025

Every morning, unless the weather doesn't cooperate, this is our ritual.

Walking through the woods with Buster leading the way, tail up, eyes bright, like he’s on the most important mission of the day, because to him - he is.

It started as a way to get outside and move more, but it’s become so much more than that.

It’s our daily reset.
A rhythm that centers us.
A moving meditation.

The trees don’t rush you.
The trail doesn’t judge your to-do list.
Nature has this quiet way of bringing you back to what actually matters, and helping everything else fall into place.

We talk. We walk in silence. We notice the shifts in the season.
And somehow, without trying, clarity always shows up along the path.

As we head into the weekend, we hope you find a little time to get outside, not to "get your steps in", but to let your mind breathe.

Let the pace slow.
Let the trees do what they do.
Let the ritual become something sacred.

Because sometimes the most powerful reset doesn’t come from fixing or planning, but simply from showing up and walking forward. 🌿

07/08/2025

A few years ago, we sat down and asked ourselves a hard but honest question:
“What kind of life do we really want?”

Not one that just looked good. Not one that impressed people. Not one that was about what we “should” be doing.

But one that actually felt right... And what came up wasn’t flashy or complicated. It was actually pretty simple. We wanted:

Peace.
Purpose.
Health.
Time for each other.
Time for people we care about.
Work that feels meaningful and aligned.

That clarity changed everything.
We moved. We downsized. We started over - twice, actually. We said no to “good” opportunities, so we could say yes to the right ones.

And no, it hasn’t always been easy. But it has been right. Because once we got clear on the life we wanted, every decision had a filter:
Does this align with the life we’re building? Or is it pulling us away from it?

If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, try starting there. Not with what to do next, but with what kind of life you want to be living. Then start making choices that reflect that clarity. One boundary. One decision. One brave “no” at a time.

The clarity is the compass. The choices are the path. It's never too late to hit the reset button, and believe us when we say: It will be so worth it. 🌿✨

07/06/2025

Sunday Stress… Maybe you’re really trying to enjoy the day, but that familiar tension is creeping in...

That feeling we all know, and maybe even have accepted as "normal".
The heaviness that settles in as Monday gets closer.
The mental to-do list that won’t stop running...

Here’s something we’ve learned, from our own experience:

That “Monday dread” isn’t always about work itself.

It’s often about:
Worrying about things that are still unfinished.
Anticipating stress that hasn’t happened yet.
Feeling unprepared or unorganized.
Not knowing how to deal with a certain situation.

This causes us to lose the boundary between rest and work.

What It Means:
That feeling is your mind asking for clarity. For calm.
It’s a signal - not that something is wrong with you - but that something about the pace or pressure might need adjusting.

And the good news? You can start shifting that energy right now.

How to ease it:

1. Write it down.
Spend 10 minutes getting the tasks out of your head and onto paper. Half the weight lifts right there.

2. Pick just 1-3 key priorities for Monday.
Not everything. Not the whole week. Just what matters most to start well.

3. Do one small thing tonight that supports peace.
Lay out your clothes. Prep your coffee. Take a walk. Play with your dog. Anything that helps you ease into the evening.

Remind yourself: The week hasn’t started yet.
Let tonight be about rest, not racing ahead in your mind.

Your mindset going into Monday matters more than having it all figured out.

Here’s to starting the week with intention, not pressure.

Address

Apex, NC

Telephone

+19199876813

Website

https://amzn.to/3uAivTM

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Simpler Living Today posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Law Practice in Apex?