3 min read

It all started during the pandemic. Like many people, I was stuck at home, surrounded by stuff I didn’t really need. My shelves were full, my schedule was jammed, and my mind cluttered. I didn’t know it then, but what I really needed was slowness.

I was moving too fast, doing too much, and feeling too little. That’s when I discovered the world of minimalism not as an aesthetic trend, but as a lifestyle.

Slowing down helped me hear myself again. I began to reflect, to journal, and most importantly, to let go.

The Myth of “More is Better”

We live in a world that sells us the idea that more equals better. More clothes, more gadgets, more hustle. But all it brought me was more anxiety.

Minimalism flipped that for me. It taught me that less can actually mean more more peace, more space, more presence.

Letting go of physical clutter also helped me simplify my mental clutter. It’s amazing how connected our outer world is to our inner one.

Journaling Through the Chaos

When I first started simplifying, I didn’t know where to begin. So I started writing.

Journaling became my compass. I wrote down the things that felt heavy, the emotions I had ignored, and the moments I wanted to hold onto.

It wasn't just about decluttering my closet. It was about decluttering my thoughts. The act of writing slowed me down and invited me into deeper reflection.

Creating Space to Breathe

I started with one drawer. Then one shelf. Then my entire bedroom.

With every item I donated or threw away, I felt lighter. I could breathe. My space started to reflect how I wanted to feel calm, open, intentional.

That’s when I realized how connected this all was to spirituality. Living with less became a practice of presence.

Minimalism wasn’t about sacrifice; it was about alignment.

What I’ve Learned (And Am Still Learning)

Here are a few life lessons I’ve picked up on the way:

• • Space is sacred. Whether it’s your home or your calendar, leave room to just be.
  • Slowness isn’t laziness. It’s awareness.
  • Journaling reveals truth. Your inner voice gets louder when the outer noise quiets down.
  • Spirituality is found in simplicity. Peace doesn’t need a price tag.
  • Minimalism is a process. There’s no perfect version just better choices.

Real-Life Shifts I Made

Let me share a few real things I did:

• • I limited screen time and brought back morning journaling with a cup of chai.
  • I stopped buying “just in case” things and asked myself, “Do I really need this?”
  • I created a ‘no rush’ weekend rule to slow down and enjoy my time more.
  • I deleted apps that drained my energy and added more walks without my phone.

All of these helped me return to a more intentional life less noise, more meaning.

The Emotional Side of Letting Go

It wasn’t easy at first. I had emotional ties to so many things a T-shirt from college, old journals filled with heartbreak, gifts from people no longer in my life.

Letting go felt like losing pieces of myself. But over time, I learned that my identity wasn’t in these objects. It was in the stories I chose to carry forward.

That’s where journaling helped again. I could hold onto the memory without keeping the item.

Slowness As a Superpower

In a fast-paced world, slowing down feels radical. But it’s one of the most powerful things I’ve done for my mental health.

Slowness has allowed me to:

• • Notice the quiet beauty of mornings
  • Connect more deeply in conversations
  • Be okay with doing nothing sometimes
  • Catch myself before reacting on impulse

Through minimalism, I started experiencing time differently. It no longer felt like something I had to “manage.” It became something I could savor.

Minimalism Is Not Just About Stuff

I used to think minimalism was just about clean white walls and capsule wardrobes. But now I know it’s about intention.

It’s about asking:

• • Does this serve me?
  • Does this align with my values?
  • Does this help me grow?

And it goes beyond the material. It’s about simplifying thoughts, relationships, habits, and even ambitions.

Minimalism, for me, has become a spiritual practice. One rooted in clarity, purpose, and peace.

AND:

Minimalism helped me return to myself.

It gave me room to reflect, permission to slow down, and space to breathe. It made room for deeper spirituality, more honest journaling, and richer life lessons.

I’m not here to convince you to throw away your things. I’m just here to say there’s quiet power in letting go.

Try simplifying one corner of your life, and see what happens.

You just might find more in less.