I know I’m going to sound like an infomercial, but decluttering my things and simplifying my life have honestly been the best things that I’ve done for my wellbeing.
Here are 10 things I’ve noticed since simplifying my life.
1) More bandwidth and time
The concept of bandwidth is something I first heard from The Minimal Mom, which in a nutshell is how everything we own or do takes up some amount of our bandwidth or capacity.
Since decluttering my items and simplifying my schedule and activities I do, it feels as though I have an increased bandwidth and more time. I’m not as rushed or frazzled about stuff.
That being said, I don’t think it’s really about having more time or more bandwidth, but really that I’ve created more space.
2) Rest is necessary, not a “reward”
I find it interesting that the other day I told Sophie and my partner that I was having “a well-earned rest” after being in the garden taking out big weeds, pruning bushes and trees back and moving things around.
The idea that I needed to “earn” or “deserve” rest when I think about it is a ridiculous concept that I don’t know where it came from.
But I can tell you where it’s going.
I’ve started to see rest as a need and necessary to functioning and wellbeing, rather than a reward or because I’ve earned it in some way (absurd).
I’m also less inclined to buy into the idea that I’m going to rest so I can be more productive. Resting and recharging are no longer a means to a more productive end. This also seems absurd to me but a concept that’s defined my schedule forever.
Incidentally I’m more productive when I’m rested and taking breaks, but productivity is not my end goal when I’m resting and recharging. I rest for my whole wellbeing.
Rest whether you’ve “earned” it or not, because you need it, not because you’d be more productive with it.
3) Inner peace and calmness
With less stuff to manage and less things to do, with only the essentials fiercely prioritised, I notice that I’m peaceful and calm more often than not. It’s freedom.
4) Self-acceptance and compassion for others
With more bandwidth, inner peace and calmness, I find my tolerance and compassion for others is heightened, as well as for myself.
I don’t know why this has happened, but I find I’m more accepting of myself and others, more tolerant, and more able to deal with challenging individuals than before I decluttered and started simplifying my life.
5) Focus and life clarity
One of the best side-effects of decluttering my things and simplifying my life was finding my North Star as Martha Beck calls it. Other people may call it mission, life’s work, life purpose, or higher purpose.
I’m more focused on what’s important, living in alignment with my true values and priorities, and I know what I’m here for and what I’m all about.
Through simplifying, I’ve gained a clarity of values and purpose I never had before.
6) Self-confidence and self-worth
Knowing I can live a simple life with less than I thought I needed to be happy is a huge confidence booster.
Interestingly, I think I grew up with the idea that the more you had the more you’d feel secure, and that things, achievements and how social you were were integral to your self-worth.
I now realise the opposite to be the case; the less things I have the more secure I feel as there’s less to manage and keep an eye on and keep maintained. The less I need to “do” the more peaceful and free I feel that my validation no longer and doesn’t need to come from people seeing my achievements. The less social I am (I mean I still am social, but on my own terms) the more fulfilled I feel and connected I feel (another interesting paradox).
7) Enjoying and appreciating what I have more
Not needing so much stuff or things to be happy, I’m enjoying the things that I do have even more. Like my hobbies.
But even things like clothes, books, and daily activities among other things I’m appreciating so much more now that I don’t have so many.
Instead of being a burden sometimes, I now really enjoy my curated collection of books, hobbies, teddies (yes I still have them), wardrobe items, and other things, and treasure these.
8) Being a nicer person
While I enjoy and treasure the things I have more than when I had a whole lot of them, I treasure connections with people.
With less commitments and things to maintain or do, I have more time for the people in my life because I don’t feel so frazzled with limited or used up bandwidth.
I’m not sure what other people think, but I feel generally like I’m a nicer person to be with. I’m more present and less pre-occupied by the next thing I need to do. I also feel more patient.
9) Less reactive
I’m not sure why this is the case, but I find the more I decluttered and simplified life on all levels, the more patient and less reactive I became to events going on.
I’ve also become a bit allergic to drama, which is good and bad – good because I no longer get that little high from getting hooked into drama, talking about it, being part of a dramatic situation, whatever, but bad because there’s so much drama around us all the damn time and it’s more exhausting than ever when I’m inadvertently exposed to it.
But ultimately I think being less reactive and instead responding to things is a lot healthier for me.
10) Joy
From decluttering and simplifying I’ve started to feel a real joy in life as I follow the path of my passions and things that truly light me up, and live in alignment with my values and fierce prioritisations.
This joy to me feels like a lightness after a burden has been lifted. It feels like joyful freedom.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the simplifying slow living journey yourself or decluttering your things with the intention to free up your life and live simply with less, what are some things that you’ve noticed?
Let me know in the comments below, or you can reach out to me at [email protected].
I’d love to hear from you!
Love,
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