keeping it simple

I've noticed that whenever I start becoming stressed about something, when I can't seem to make a decision and when it all seems a bit difficult, that the obvious answer - and usually one that's far simpler than the solutions I've been pondering - starts bombarding me from many directions. At times, it takes me a while to see it, but when I do, the pattern is very clear.

I have realised:

• I don't need an iPhone - it might be nice, but I've managed just fine until now, so it's not something I need to worry about.
• I don't need to take a netbook or a laptop or an internet-enabled mobile phone overseas - if I need the internet, there are internet cafes, and plenty of hotels provide internet facilities.
• I don't need to plan everything down to the last detail - as long as we have transport and accommodation organised, we can play the rest by ear.
• I don't need to find the ultimate travel guide - I can always find an information centre, and talk to the hotel staff and locals (and am far more likely to find the good stuff that way).
• I don't need to pre-pay all the bills and freeze meals and organise everything for the males of the family when Miss Tizz and I head off on our travels - the husband is perfectly capable of handling the day-to-day stuff.
• The children don't need any more stuff, they just need our time.
• Often I don't need a prepackaged solution to something - in fact, often I don't need a solution at all because there is no problem. Marketers are very good at creating problems and then selling us their solutions, and none of it is necessary.

The common factor with all these is that I don't need. And if I don't need, I can just eliminate them as a stressor.

Simple really.