Minimalism and Essentialism - A better way of living

 A few years ago I stumbled upon the concepts of Minimalism and Essential Living which profoundly impacted my mindset and approach to life and how much it resonates with the person I am at my core. As a person born in a middle-class family, I was never exposed to a life with too many luxury items and it was somehow taught to us by the media, celebrities, etc. that abundance and possessions equates to happiness and success and this constant chase for more and "having it all" has been glorified a lot by the hustle culture. 

However, delving into the principles of minimalism and essentialism helped me define what success and happiness meant to me. I came across many authors and vloggers like Marie Kondo, A Malama Lifestyle, etc. and it gave me a new perspective on how little we need to be happy, the true essence of contentment, prioritizing quality over quantity and only letting a few but valuable things into our lives, simple and slow way of living can actually lead for us to have a meaningful life where the little things hold immense significance,  it is always the little things in life, right?

Minimalism shows us how having less is actually having more whereas essentialism teaches us to put our time and energy into things that matter the most.

Here are a few ways in which my life improved after adopting minimalism and essentialism.

Minimalism

1. Mental Clarity and Inner Peace     

 By embracing minimalism, I realized that having fewer possessions allowed for a greater sense of mental clarity, I have fewer things to organize, clean, and manage and fewer visual clutters. The space that cleared up enabled me to cultivate a deeper connection with my inner self and I realized I can function normally with fewer items, realizing that many possessions were unnecessary distractions.

2. Adding Value to life

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle became a way for me to discern what truly adds value and meaning to my life. I made a conscious choice to allow only those things, people, and experiences that align with my core values and aspirations.  This helped me to cultivate a more meaningful existence. We do not have all the time and energy in the world therefore it is important to handpick those things which are truly essential to you. When you are saying yes to something, you are saying no to everything else at that particular time, for eg: spending the Sunday evening with your kids might add more value to your life than attending the concert your friend invited you to that does not resonate deeply.

3. Detach from materialism

As someone with a spiritual inclination, It has always been my focus to detach from the materialistic world and seek a deeper connection with the divine. On our path towards the connection with the divine our biggest roadblock is the materialistic world which I believe is nothing but an illusion. Owning fewer items has helped me to embrace simplicity and helped in detaching myself from material attachments and find happiness in the intangible aspects of life.

4. Embracing Serenity, Minimizing Drama

Previously, I used to invest my energy in various dramas and gossip, which drained my mental peace. Reflecting on those experiences, now I choose to consume less news, engage less in gossip and distance myself from individuals who create dramas. In this way, I protect my spiritual energy and cultivate a peaceful and serene existence knowing that I am spending time only on things that truly hold value.

5. Promoting Sustainability

One of the significant benefits of adopting a minimalist and essentialist lifestyle is the positive impact it has on sustainability. It has helped me to be more sustainable by reducing waste and mindful consumption, which in turn brings me a sense of peace and also aligns with my values.

6. Establishing Healthy Boundaries:

When you are an essentialist you know what truly matters to you and you protect your time and energy accordingly. You learn how to build healthy boundaries and say no to commitments that do not align with your core principles or that which don't truly add meaning to your life and you are free from the trap of people-pleasing. Essentialists prioritize their time and energy and invest it in activities that may not appear immediately productive but hold immense value and meaning in their life. This intentional focus on the essentials allows us to cultivate a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle that reflects our authentic selves.

Conclusion: Adopting the principles of minimalism and essentialism has been a transformative journey, reshaping my perception of success, happiness, and fulfillment. By decluttering my life, both physically and mentally, I have found a renewed sense of mental clarity, deepened my spiritual connection, and embraced a more intentional existence. Prioritizing what truly matters has allowed me to create a life enriched with purpose and meaning, where the little things take center stage. Through minimalism and essentialism, I continue to embark on a fulfilling path toward self-discovery, and contentment.