Faith, Simplicity, and the Lessons I’m Harvesting This Year (So Far)

For a long time, I believed growth meant adding more — more goals, more self-development, more “doing.” When I started sharing my journey online, much of it revolved around minimalism and simplicity — learning to live with less. At the time, I thought it was mostly about physical clutter, about cleaning out closets and letting go of things I didn’t use. But now, I see it was never really about the stuff.

It was about the noise.

The noise of constant wanting. The illusion that more — more money, more success, more love, more validation — would finally bring peace. But the truth is, peace was never hiding in more. It was always waiting for me in less.

The Power of Less

Living in a culture that worships “more” makes it hard to believe that less can actually mean more. We’re surrounded by messages that say our worth depends on how much we achieve, own, or produce. But I’ve learned that when we constantly chase external validation, we disconnect — from ourselves, from God, and from what truly matters.

Nothing wrong with having nice things or creating abundance — but when those things define us, they own us.

The moment I began to let go — of people, jobs, identities, mindsets, and even healing tools that no longer resonated — something shifted.

Space opened.

Clarity returned.

And I could finally hear God’s voice again.

Faith Instead of Fixing

For years, I thought self-development was the answer to everything. I spent thousands of dollars on coaching, therapy, and courses trying to “fix” myself. Some of that work helped — it guided me here — but at some point, I realized I was seeking healing in all the wrong places.

The truth is simple: God is the ultimate healer.

Once I surrendered to that, I stopped chasing and started listening. I didn’t need to hire anyone else to tell me what’s next. I just needed stillness, prayer, and faith. The next step reveals itself when we stop rushing to control the outcome.

But slowing down is hard in a world that rewards productivity and instant answers. It takes courage to sit in the unknown — that space in-between what was and what’s next — and trust that God is working even when we can’t see it.

Faith in the In-Between

This year taught me that the in-between is not wasted time. It’s sacred ground.

It’s where we learn to trust more deeply. It’s where God shapes our hearts, strengthens our faith, and clears away what we’ve been clinging to. It’s uncomfortable, yes. It can feel lonely. But it’s also where we discover how much we’ve grown — and how much we’ve been guided all along.

I no longer rush through those in-between seasons. I try to meet them with curiosity, faith, and gentleness.

Emotional Growth and Healthy Conflict

Another lesson I’m taking from this year is around emotional intelligence — how we communicate, hold space for others, and respond when things get difficult.

So many of us were never taught how to handle conflict with grace. We either shut down, lash out, or walk away without explanation. But relationships — friendships, romantic connections, or even professional ones — require communication.

Conflict doesn’t have to mean disconnection. It can actually be a doorway to deeper understanding if both people are willing to express their feelings honestly and hold space for one another.

It’s okay if someone can’t meet you there — that’s how you learn who’s aligned with your growth. But if you can stay open, compassionate, and grounded, every challenging interaction becomes an opportunity to practice faith — faith in yourself, faith in others, and faith that truth always reveals itself in love.

Harvesting the Lessons

As the seasons shift and the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on all that this year has taught me.

I’ve learned that:

• Simplicity is sacred.

• Faith grows in the quiet.

• You don’t have to fix yourself — you just have to return to God.

• Not everyone will meet you with the same emotional awareness, and that’s okay.

• And most of all — every ending, every delay, every “in-between” moment is preparation, not punishment.

This year reminded me that less really does bring more — more peace, more clarity, more love, and more faith.

A Gentle Invitation

Maybe this season, instead of striving for more, you can ask yourself:

• What can I release?

• What can I simplify?

• Where might I trust God a little more?

Because in the end, what we’re all craving isn’t more doing — it’s more being.

More connection to the truth within us, and the One who placed it there.

So, as we step into fall — may we all harvest the quiet lessons, rest in the in-between, and remember that the less we cling, the closer we get to what’s real. 🍂