You know, there was a time in my life when I realized that the way I was living was not truly serving me. My days were filled with so many tasks, so many expectations, and so many voices, that I could hardly hear my own.
First, I thought I was doing well, being busy felt like progress, being surrounded by noise felt like belonging, and carrying many responsibilities felt like strength. Do you remember that thing of stress being overrated? That's exactly what it was.
But the truth was different. The more I stretched myself, the more I noticed how little space I had left for the things that actually gave me peace, joy, and meaning. This realization became the turning point that made me simplify my life.
I simplified because I wanted to grow.
Growth, I discovered, does not happen in chaos. It happens in stillness, in clarity, and in intentional choices. And I also realized that, when my life was cluttered, my mind was cluttered too, and I could not clearly see where I was heading.
But when I started cutting back on unnecessary weight, be it commitments, unhealthy attachments, or even old habits that drained me, I suddenly felt lighter. That lightness gave me room to breathe and room to reflect, and in that space I started to find myself again.
Simplicity became a form of self-care. I began to prioritize my well-being, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. I learned to say no without guilt, to pause without feeling lazy, and to choose quality over quantity.
Whether in friendships, school or personal routines, I leaned toward what felt genuine and clear rather than what only looked impressive from the outside. This shift was not always easy. At times I feared that letting go would make me miss out or seem less ambitious. But gradually, I learned that what I lost in excess, I gained back in depth.
Personal growth, for me, is not about becoming someone else, it is about uncovering who I really am and nurturing that person. Simplifying my life gave me clarity about my values. I discovered that I thrive when I invest in meaningful relationships instead of shallow connections, when I focus on learning, growth and creativity rather than comparison, and when I cultivate gratitude rather than chasing endless wants.
Infact, I realized that happiness doesn’t come from adding more, but from holding on to what truly matters and what is also worth holding unto.
Faith has also been part of this journey. In simplicity, I found it easier to draw closer to God, to listen, and to align my steps with a higher purpose. When my heart is not distracted by too many competing desires, I can center myself on what brings peace.
Now, I see simplicity not as a loss but as a gift. It is the path that allows me to grow with intention. I may not have everything, but I have enough, and within that enough, I have the freedom to dream, to create, to rest, and to become. Simplifying my life has been my way of making room for growth, and growth has been my way of honoring the life I’ve been given.
Shalom