Minimalism & Me

I was a chronic workaholic. All I did was shovel food in my mouth, sleep (not well), and achieve — juggling a demanding job, crisis intervention, intense community projects, and nonstop activities.

Why? Because I believe that life is only worth living when I’m making a difference. I just went about it the wrong way.

No Hobbies

One night I sat in my room, ignoring the pounding in my head and the heaviness in my spirit (which was easy to do; they had long been my loyal companions).

Then, out of nowhere, I realized something. I have no hobbies.

Nothing in my life filled me with delight. Even activities I used to enjoy, like working in mental health or watching a show with my roommates, now sucked away the dying embers of what used to be enthusiasm.

I had unintentionally set up my life so that people needed me every moment. I felt important and indispensable when I rushed from one responsibility to the next. Moments of stillness were the enemy. Sitting with my thoughts and feelings made me uncomfortable, and I preferred to drown them out.

Letting Go

A few weeks later, I discovered The Minimalists.* Although I had never climbed the corporate ladder like these guys did, their stories felt familiar: Exhaustion. Disillusionment. A voice inside calling them to a deeper existence.

Josh and Ryan, inspired by minimalism, walked away from their 6-figure salaries to pursue the lives they’d always wanted, and they were happier than they had ever been.

It’s too beautiful to be real, I thought. But 2 years later I can tell you that it is real.

After reading a couple articles on The Minimalists’ blog, I decided to try their 21-Day Minimalism Challenge. (This will come as no surprise to those of you who know me, since my motivation lacks any type of progression between 0 and 150%.)

Fear, relief, and anxious hope permeated my mind during those weeks, but every step brought me closer to living my ideal life. By the end of the 21 days, I had thrown out or donated 75% of my possessions. (Now it is closer to 90%.)

The craziest part? I have never missed one item, and I only remember a handful of belongings that I let go. Pointless possessions, habits, pursuits, and even a few toxic relationships were blocking my way to a more meaningful life. Minimalism cleared away this excess.

(No, minimalism is not asceticism.)

An Old Friend

Since then I have temporarily turned inward, because I want to grow. If I have cheap love, I give to make myself feel better. Priceless love grows naturally out of a confident heart. My cheap love feels forced and short-lived; priceless love is sincere, consistent, and sustainable.

Minimalism is helping me reassess my values and invest in my passions. I spend more time reading, writing, sketching, and staring at the sky. The extra mental clarity brings me an awareness of each moment and gratitude for my relationships and experiences.

Today I was walking through my apartment humming, and I noticed a long-lost ally inside me that I had forgotten about — a fascination with life like I had as a child. Hello, old friend.

Minimalism differs from person to person. We can adapt this exquisite, elastic lifestyle to match our personalities. At worst, we have a temporary side hobby that helps us purge our homes. At best, it will reshape the entire direction of our lives.

All we need is a willingness to let go.

*I get no money or favors from The Minimalists for promoting their material.