The "Do What’s Best for You" Path to Minimalism

A de-cluttered life leads to less stress and more time for the things that matter most.

I do not think that my family can be considered true minimalists. Granted, we do not own many things, but we still own things that we do not think that we need. What is it about objects that make them so difficult to part from? We also have a tendency to buy things we want thinking that “if only we had this, we would/could. . .” as though an object could solve our problems.

We’re still working towards minimalism. We still want to maintain a more consistent practice towards mindfulness (i.e. meditation, yoga, prayer, etc.) We still want to keep up a more consistent exercise routine. We’re doing pretty well when it comes to maintaining a healthy eating regimen. But in many ways, we’re still not true minimalists, which is why I adopt the “do what’s best for you path.”

I cannot call myself a true minimalist, but I am a vegan. I am pursuing a simple lifestyle. My family is building a tiny home, and we are reducing our belongings to those things we need most and getting rid of the rest. It seems like the most beneficial aspect of minimalism is the mindset that things do not satisfy us. Relationships and adventures are much more valuable things to invest in. A de-cluttered life (mind and body and home) leads to less stress and more time for the things that matter most.

I am a proponent for something like the 32-hour work week. This is a step towards simplicity or minimalism. I am a proponent for eating well; whether vegan or paleo or keto, your body matters, and if you’re not healthy physically you will constantly struggle with becoming healthy mentally and emotionally. In past blog posts, I’ve given suggestions for ways to move towards a simple lifestyle by de-cluttering your wardrobe, traveling with less, and eating simple foods.

Right now, I practice one thing that keeps me moving towards simplicity. When I begin to feel my body tense up, if my thoughts trail towards fear-based ideas, or if I begin to sense myself growing worried or anxious about anything, I stop. I contemplate these feelings and the origins of them and remind myself that I will do nothing if I am constantly afraid of what others will think of me or of whether or not I will die. I do not want to be old regretting that I have not lived my life well.

Something I want to make clear, though, is that in all of this I am not perfect. No one is perfect. I want to be clear because I have a tendency to be all or nothing. If I can’t do it all now, I won’t do it at all. This is a horrible mindset! I’d never do anything with this mindset. Find one thing that you want to change, now, that you can change now, and do that. As you think about ways to simplify your life, remember that it’s okay to fail. Do what’s best for you, today.