Embracing Minimalism: The Power of Doing Less and Living Better
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Understanding Minimalism: A Journey Towards Less
During my time as an English instructor in Guangzhou, China, a conversation with a student has lingered in my memory.
“Hey, Hill!” he called out, having chosen that name for himself. “How’s it going today?”
“I’m very happy,” he replied, beaming. He was in his thirties or forties, tall, contemplative, and sociable. His enthusiasm for practicing English was evident, and he spoke clearly.
“That’s great to hear! What’s making you so happy?” I inquired.
“It’s simple: reduction,” he said.
Initially, I thought this might lead to a clarification on vocabulary, but his English was much more refined than I expected.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked.
“Do less. I love learning English—it's my only hobby. I want to excel, so I’ve eliminated other distractions.”
This resonated with me, as I’ve also realized the truth in his statement. The philosophy of “less is more” is well-supported by a plethora of minimalist literature, such as Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Francine Jay's The Joy of Less, and Cait Flanders' The Year of Less.
Minimalism is fundamentally about retaining only what enriches our lives and discarding the rest. It entails clearing physical space and reallocating our time and energy toward what truly matters.
The journey often begins at home with decluttering but extends to mental clarity and, ultimately, our entire existence. The pressure to engage in numerous activities is overwhelming, yet we often require far fewer possessions and commitments than we assume.
Our tendency to accumulate items and responsibilities often stems from an impulsive urge to agree to everything, driven by a fear of missing out. Once we acquire or commit to something, we then must manage it, leading to a cluttered life filled with things that do not serve our best interests.
Breaking free from this common human tendency requires a strong, counter-intuitive resolve, aptly captured in James Altucher’s The Power of No. Mastering the art of saying no to unhelpful commitments is essential, and to do that, we must first clarify what we genuinely want. Kondo’s ideas inspired Sarah Knight’s The Magic Art of Not Giving a F*ck, which in turn influenced Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Knowing what we want and confidently rejecting everything else is crucial; our time and energy are finite resources, and every distraction dilutes our focus on what we truly care about.
Recognizing Clutter: Its Nature and Our Behavior
“Remember those camping trips we took as kids?” my brother asked on the first day of summer vacation.
“Yeah, those were fun.”
“Our parents might not be able to do that much longer…”
“True.”
“How about we take them camping this year?”
Here’s a classic example of a clutter decision in action. My brother had expertly maneuvered the conversation, and saying “No, let’s not go camping together” felt unnatural, almost like leaving a musical phrase unresolved.
So, I responded with a “Yes,” and it felt satisfying. We shared a moment of mutual agreement.
I then excitedly pitched the idea to my wife, framing it as an excellent opportunity for our kids and a way to strengthen our family ties while enjoying a budget-friendly adventure.
However, as we discovered on our camping trip with my parents, my enthusiasm had been based on faulty assumptions.
Psychologist Steve Peters provides an insightful analogy for our impulsive tendencies, referring to this aspect of our brain as the “chimp.” We all possess an inner chimp, representing our emotional center. This part of us makes hasty decisions, fixated on immediate gratification.
In this instance, my inner chimp eagerly accepted the invitation, calculating that the trip would be a breeze—yet it failed to consider the complexities involved, such as potential conflicts or the challenges of camping. I packed work and a manuscript, convinced I’d have plenty of time to focus on them, all while believing I was being a good family member.
Unfortunately, the chimp’s logic clouded my judgment.
Each of us also has a rational side, often referred to as the “human,” housed in the prefrontal cortex. This part seeks truth, analyzes situations, and embraces nuance. However, it can easily be overshadowed by our basic desires, particularly when advertising and other influences provoke impulsive reactions.
This explains why we often find ourselves surrounded by unnecessary possessions or overwhelmed with commitments that, at one point, seemed appealing to our chimps.
The Importance of Mindful Thinking
Awareness of our inner chimps is crucial for making sound decisions. In Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman discusses how unmonitored reasoning leads to various cognitive biases and errors. To enhance our decision-making—both personally and collectively—we must recognize these tendencies and develop strategies to counteract them.
While our impulsive desires will always be part of us, they can be harnessed effectively. Frank Partnoy’s Wait: The Art and Science of Delay emphasizes the advantages of resisting immediate impulses.
“In a world dominated by technology, social media, and fast-paced news, many of us respond too quickly,” he writes. This rapid-fire response often works against our best interests.
To truly thrive, we must decelerate. In a society driven by impulsive behavior, taking the time to reflect can yield significant benefits.
During a particularly chaotic moment, while pushing my father’s wheelchair uphill on a scorching day, familial tensions flared, and my son ended up hurt. I realized I had no time to reflect on how I got into this mess. My chimp had taken over.
In hindsight, I should have resisted the chimp’s impulsive logic. I should have considered the dynamics of our family and the likelihood of achieving my summer goals, such as writing. Instead, I followed the chimp’s notion of a carefree camping experience, overlooking the potential consequences.
Final Reflections
The notion of a well-adjusted person often comes across as a chimp in a nice outfit—always cheerful and agreeing to everything. However, to accomplish anything meaningful or simply enhance our enjoyment of life, we must learn to pause, think critically, and assertively say no.
We need to reflect on our values and priorities regularly, ensuring that new decisions align with our aspirations. While our inner chimp is vibrant and full of life, it often lacks foresight. Therefore, it’s essential for us to manage its impulses and avoid falling into distractions that lead us away from what truly matters.
This video, Why You Should Be Doing Less And How To Do It, explores the importance of prioritizing and simplifying one's life to achieve greater satisfaction.
In How to Achieve More While Working Less, discover strategies that allow you to maximize productivity without overcommitting yourself.