“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
— Hans Hofmann
By mid-January, the juggling starts to pick up again.
New plans.
New advice.
New reasons to rethink everything.
Over time, one of the most useful things I’ve learned is knowing what not to engage with.
Not every idea deserves action.
Not every opportunity needs a response.
Not every improvement is actually an improvement.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Not every mountain needs to be climbed.
At some point, the need to justify everything fades. The work doesn’t have to validate your existence. It just has to be worth returning to.
Some of the real progress I’ve made has come from knowing when to leave things alone—and when to step in with purpose.
Energy is finite. Attention is precious. When I spread myself too thin, even good intentions start to feel heavy. I’ve learned to pay attention to that feeling—the quiet sense of drag or resistance—as a signal, not a flaw. It’s often how I know something may not be mine to carry right now.
Discernment isn’t about doing less for the sake of it.
It’s about choosing where your effort will genuinely make a difference—and letting the rest pass without guilt.
Sometimes the most practical move is realizing that something is already doing its job just fine. Or noticing that it’s quietly draining energy without serving where you are now.
That kind of choice doesn’t look dramatic.
But over time, it adds up, cumulatively and significantly.
Warm wishes,
Barney
P.S. If you’re simplifying right now—fewer commitments, fewer expectations, fewer moving parts—that’s not falling behind. It’s often how clarity returns, and how momentum finds its footing again. See you next week.
Dear Barney,
I read all your posts, many years now. What you do is SO important. I thought I’d take a moment and say Thank you!
Hi Marisol,
Thank you so much for taking a moment to share this. Hearing that you’ve been reading along for years means more than I can say. I’m grateful for your steady presence and encouragement. Wishing you a creative and fulfilling year ahead.
All the best!
—Barney
Barney – I too have been following you for years and your authentic kindness helped me practically as an artist. This post like so many of yours, reminds me to take a deep breath and be in the moment. It doesn’t get any better than that 🙏
Hi Lynn,
It means a lot to hear from you. You’ve been with me through so many chapters of this work, and I never take that kind of steady presence for granted. Thank you for staying connected all these years. Wishing you good days, creative energy, and whatever brings you ease.
All the best!
—Barney
Good and wise words Barney. As I age, I do not have the same level of energy as I once did. I still have goals – albeit fewer ones. Staying off social media while not abandoning it completely is one. Have you heard of The Great Unplugging? I learned about it yesterday. It’s popular among young adults. CD players are selling out on Amazon among all ages, but especially with those who are under 40. Yesterday, I went analog with my music and loved it.
Your blog seems to have the same sentiment- not rushing or entering a state of overwhelm. I was comforted by it.
I do still have goals for my art, but one focus at a time and mostly to make the best I can do, plus work with galleries now so I have more free time
Hi Lori,
Thank you for being here and for staying connected through so many turns of this journey. I always appreciate seeing your name pop up. Your steady presence over the years has meant more than you probably realize. The Great Unplugging sounds interesting. I will check it out and wonder if it is sustainable. Wishing you good days, creative momentum, and a little extra ease wherever you can find it.
All the best!
—Barney
when I am not sure what to work on I simply begin and I am always directed to one of the many things that I have previously thought about and then I delve even deeper than I have ever imagined
Hi Walter,
Thanks so much for taking a moment to share your thoughts. It’s always good to hear from someone who’s reading along and taking something from the content and ideas. I appreciate you being part of the conversation and hope the ideas here continue to be useful to you.
All the best!
—Barney
Thank you Barney for your work. You’ve been around for a long time, always with a gentle and kind encouragement. I have a file on my computer with many snippets that you’ve offered over the years. I go in and revisit from time to time.
Thank you, Jennifer. Your note means a great deal to me. Knowing that something I’ve written has stayed with you—and that you return to it when you need a spark—reminds me why I’ve kept at this work for so long. I’m grateful you’ve been part of the journey, and I’m glad the words have been useful along the way.
Warm regards,
Barney