why does simplifying feel good?
Every time I am able to simplify my life a little bit, whether getting rid of some old clothes or crossing some outdated projects off my to-do list, I feel better. I admit that I have a penchant for organization and minimalism already (it must be in my genes somehow). However, I’ve helped other people, non-minimalism people, simplify some aspect of their lives before and they always seem to feel much better afterward. Why is it that everyone seems to feel better after simplifying?
I think what it really boils down to is that the act of simplifying allows you to be in control. Taking a critical look at some aspect of your life and then paring it down lets you decide what is important and what is not, leaving you with a sense of being the master of your own life. Living in the fast-paced society that we do, I think it is very easy for us to let that sense of control slip away. We all have so many demands on our attention and time that if we aren’t vigilant, our lives become controlled by external factors and not our own desires and goals. How many people spend all day in meetings that seem to lack a purpose or a result? How many people spend their entire day working toward other people’s goals? How many people go to bed at night and can’t think of one thing that they did to further their own ambitions?
If you happen to be feeling particularly out of control in the near future, I recommend doing something to simplify your life. Try eliminating some commitments. Or pare down your to-do list to only the true essentials. Or, do something as simple as going through your closet and getting rid of clothes you don’t wear anymore. That feeling of being in control is something that we all desire and it is one of the top reasons that I take simplifying my life so seriously.
If we aren’t in control of our lives, who is?
Photo by Heather Z.
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