8 Minute Read
Sometimes just getting through the day doesn't seem humanly possible. The demands and expectations of modern life can be overwhelming. We feel the pressure to be the perfect parent. To own a bigger house, a better car. To improve our looks, wardrobe, social status, career trajectory. It goes on and on. And for many of us, the chronic stress and anxiety of meeting all these demands can be unhealthy and lead to unhappiness. That's when it helps to consider living a simpler life.
The idea behind living a minimalist lifestyle is to free up your time and your mind space. To prioritize what's important to you and deprioritize the aspects of your life worth letting go. It's like a spring cleaning for your whole life, and if you deal with chronic stress, you'll probably find the process to be extremely satisfying.
Minimalism is not new. Catholic nuns and Buddhist priests have practiced it with rigor for centuries. It's gained popularity in recent years as self-awareness and intentionality have become key principles of self-improvement, stress management, and well-being.
Some people worry that they might run down a rabbit hole of self-sacrifice. That is not what it's all about. Minimalism is really a personal journey designed to help you discover what is important to you and make it easier to achieve these goals by letting go of what's not essential. There are no right or wrong answers. It's whatever feels right to you and brings you joy and satisfaction.
To decide what's most important, you really have to be true to yourself. Don't feel like you're being selfish if you need two hours of alone time each day. You can always find a way to balance your responsibilities with your needs and desires.
So what are your priorities? Is it decluttering your home and workspace? Eliminating debt or saving more so you don't live paycheck to paycheck? Discovering how to spend more quality time with your family and friends? What is stressing you out and how can you address these triggers?
Get a pen and paper or use an electronic device to make a thorough list of your priorities. Then double-check yourself and think about your motivations behind choosing them to be sure they're authentic and are as impactful as you think they are.
You know that feeling you have during the first day of vacation. Or the one you had after the last day of class before you graduated. With the weight is off your shoulders, you feel rejuvenated and empowered.
That's the goal here. By making realistic expectations for yourself and reducing the load you carry, you'll free your mind, improve your self-worth, and get clarity on what you want out of life.
So take the list of priorities you made and begin removing the ones at the bottom of the list. If you can remove half, great. Start with what you know you can do without and see how that works out. You can always remove more from your list at a later time.
A tidy space is visually more soothing. Clutter can create a chaotic environment, which can overwhelm the mind and make it difficult to focus. When your home is organized, you can find items easily, reducing frustration and wasted time. This can help you feel more in control and productive. Having control over your living environment can foster a sense of security and stability, which is essential for reducing stress.
While there are decluttering schools and clubs out there, this simple guide will go a long way to getting you organized and staying ahead of the clutter. To start decluttering, consider tackling one area at a time, setting specific goals, and deciding what to keep, donate, or discard. This process can be liberating. Start with the room that is bothering you the most. Keep the items you really use or the ones that have meaning and value to you.
People tend to be happier when they focus more on relationships and less on material things. And again, it's really a matter of quality over quantity. Having five to ten really close relationships tend to be more meaningful than a burgeoning social life divided among 50-100 people. The key is making time for your relationships, even when you need to sacrifice other fun or engrossing activities like screen time.
Something else to consider when you're trying to reduce chronic stress is to eliminate or at least de-prioritize relationships that cause stress. High-maintenance people or those who ooze negativity will not reduce your stress load and their outlook on life is likely to rub off on you.
Life is about balance and when our attention is pointed in a thousand directions, we don't have time or energy to do the things we really want to do. Whether it's making time for your favorite hobbies, exercise, relaxation, journaling, travel — whatever brings you joy or fulfills your sense of purpose, make room in your schedule for you.
If you have access to a hot tub, one of the most popular and effective stress-relief remedies is hydrotherapy. Warm water triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "rest and digest" response. This reduces the production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, promoting a state of calmness and relaxation. Immersion in warm water creates a cocooning sensation, which can mimic the calming effects of swaddling or being embraced.
Money is one of the biggest stressors of modern life. In particular, concerns about income, debt, and the ability to afford basic necessities can lead to high levels of anxiety.
Simplifying your life by no longer buying things you don’t need or truly want will help you spend less and don't accumulate debt. And that means less worry over finances.
Take the time to consider why you buy what you buy and whether it's really worth it. Try to avoid impulse buys and set a realistic budget that you can follow. Most people find that when they deprioritize possessions in favor of experiences and relationships, they feel happier and their lives have more meaning.
By embracing minimalism, we invite a simpler, more intentional way of living that can significantly reduce chronic stress and bring a sense of clarity to our daily lives. By decluttering both our physical spaces and mental landscapes, we create room for what truly matters—our relationships, passions, and well-being. So take that first step today. You'll likely discover that less truly can be more, leading to a calmer, more fulfilling existence.
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