When I started decluttering I wasn’t sure what the result would look like. I hoped that I would feel content with my life and that I would have more time to do the things I love

Our house was full of stuff, it was clean, tidy and organised – but just way too much stuff for what we actually loved, used and most importantly, needed.

Fast forward a few years and we finally got to experience some of the many benefits of owning less. Living in a small, nice, clean and tidy home is the most obvious one but other unexpected ones changed our lives in amazing ways.

READ MORE: Simple Living is Abundant Living

10 questions for Simple Living:

1. What emotions arise when you imagine letting go of material possessions and embracing a simpler, more minimalist lifestyle?
2. How does the idea of simplifying your life make you feel about your current level of stress and overwhelm?
3. When you envision a life focused on simplicity, what values and priorities come to the surface for you?
4. What deep-seated desires or yearnings do you believe could be fulfilled by embracing a simpler way of living?
5. How do you imagine your relationships with others evolving as you prioritise quality time and meaningful connection over material pursuits?
6. What fears or apprehensions surface when you consider letting go of the excess in your life and embracing a more minimalistic existence?
7. In what ways do you believe embracing simple living could contribute to a greater sense of inner peace and contentment?
8. When you reflect on your current lifestyle, what aspects do you feel are in alignment with your true self, and which ones feel out of sync?
9. How do you envision your overall well-being – mentally, emotionally, and spiritually – being impacted by adopting a simpler way of life?
10. What deeper purpose or meaning do you believe could be unlocked by prioritizing simplicity and letting go of unnecessary distractions?

Here are 5 things that happened since I simplified my life.

1. I’m more creative

A clutter-free home means more freedom and a free-er mind. Through decluttering, I managed to free up precious hours in my schedule. I found myself wondering what to do with that spare time.

I used that time to explore my creative side again. I started living slowly and appreciating everything life had to offer. Being creative gave me a chance to re-learn how to think for myself, grow and simply enjoy life more.

RELATED: Let’s Get Creative!

2. I feel grateful for what I have

Most of us have so much stuff that we don’t even know what we own anymore.

The problem with that?

Clutter makes it hard to differentiate what we love from what we don’t. The process of letting go made me realise how little I actually needed to live well.

Today, I have much less (90% less) of what I had when I started my decluttering & simplifying my life journey, but I value and enjoy using everything that’s in my home. I feel grateful for everything that I have.

3. I focus on quality, not quantity

After I had let go of about 90% of my clothes, it hit me that I most of the clothes that I had in my closet were just for the sake of it. I had spent years buying cheap clothes from retail chains, eBay and charity shops.

That’s when I decided to build a capsule wardrobe, one of few but good quality pieces. Pieces that I would love to wear day in and day out and that wouldn’t get damaged after a couple of washes. After listening to L’Art de la simplicité (The Art of Simplicity) over the last couple of years, I decided to invest in pure cashmere jumpers in spring 2023 and those were the only jumpers I wore during the colder months.

Today, I apply that same principle to other areas of our lives too: always quality, never quantity.

4. Free Therapy

The process of letting go was a therapeutic one for me. It gave me a chance to part with things that were associated with painful memories. For me that included clothes that were given to me by my Mum, jewellery, home decor etc.

While proactively facing the pain brought on by past situations can be healing, surrounding yourself with things that are a constant reminder of that pain may be destructive.

Letting go of anything that brings those memories back allowed me to let go of the past and make room for new experiences, friendships and happy memories.

5. I value experiences over things

As I let go of my “stuff”, I got blessed with the gift of time.

I started travelling more, spending more time outdoors and making new friendships.

Minimalism has taught me that focusing on experiencing rather than accumulating things is the quickest route to a fulfilled life. Our fondest memories involve people, adventures, and experiences. They don’t involve things.

Simplifying my overall life brought endless riches into my life: more focus, more calm, but mostly more time to spend on things that really matter.

10 prompts to help you embrace slow living:

1. Imagine waking up to the soft glow of morning sunlight filtering through sheer curtains, feeling the gentle embrace of simplicity wrap around you. Write about the peaceful rhythm of a day uncluttered by unnecessary distractions.
2. Picture yourself savouring the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, taking slow, deliberate sips as you sit in quiet contemplation. Describe the warmth that floods your soul when you let go of material desires and find contentment in life’s simple pleasures.
3. Close your eyes and envision a clutter-free space, where each item serves a purpose and holds sentimental value. Explore the liberating sensation of decluttering your surroundings and freeing yourself from the weight of excess belongings.
4. Reflect on the joy of spending quality time with loved ones, engaging in meaningful conversations devoid of digital interruptions. Describe the profound connection that blossoms when you prioritise human connection over virtual distractions.
5. Imagine immersing yourself in nature’s embrace, feeling the earth beneath your feet and the wind whispering through the trees. Write about the profound sense of peace and belonging that accompanies a life attuned to the natural world.
6. “Envision simplifying your daily routine, prioritising tasks that align with your values and bring you genuine fulfillment. Explore the profound sense of empowerment that comes from reclaiming control of your time and energy.
7. Close your eyes and imagine a life stripped of comparison and competition, where your worth is measured not by possessions or achievements, but by the depth of your character and the kindness in your heart. Describe the profound sense of self-acceptance and inner peace that accompanies embracing your authentic self.
8. Picture yourself savouring a home-cooked meal made from fresh, wholesome ingredients, relishing each bite as it nourishes your body and soul. Write about the transformative power of mindful eating and the joy of savoring simple culinary pleasures.
9. Reflect on the beauty of slowing down, savouring each moment as it unfolds without rushing to the next. Describe the profound sense of presence and mindfulness that comes from embracing a slower pace of life.
10. Imagine letting go of the need for constant productivity and achievement, finding fulfillment in simply being rather than constantly doing. Explore the profound sense of freedom and lightness that comes from releasing yourself from the tyranny of busyness.

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