Minimalism and the Art of Breathing
I’ll never forget the day I first discovered the power of minimalism. It was a turning point in my life, a moment when I realized that the very things I thought were bringing me joy and fulfillment were actually the source of my constant stress and anxiety.
I had always been the type of person who liked to surround myself with stuff – trinkets, gadgets, and an ever-growing collection of material possessions. I thought that the more I had, the happier I would be. But as the years went on, I found myself feeling increasingly overwhelmed, my mind constantly racing, and my physical and mental health deteriorating.
It was during this time that I stumbled upon the concept of minimalism. At first, I was skeptical. How could getting rid of all my stuff possibly make me feel better? But as I delved deeper into the philosophy, I started to see the profound benefits it could have on my overall well-being.
The key, I discovered, was in the act of breathing. As the co-founder and CEO of MUD\WTR, Shane Heath, eloquently put it, “The journey at MUD\WTR starts with breath.” And it’s true – by simplifying my life and letting go of the material clutter that had been weighing me down, I found that I was able to breathe more deeply and freely, both literally and figuratively.
The Vicious Cycle of Clutter and Anxiety
As the blog post on Nourishing Minimalism points out, clutter and anxiety can become a vicious cycle. When our living and working spaces are cluttered and disorganized, it can lead to feelings of overwhelm and stress, which in turn can exacerbate the clutter problem as we struggle to keep up with the demands of daily life.
I can attest to this firsthand. Before I embraced minimalism, my home was a veritable hoarder’s paradise, with every surface covered in trinkets, books, and random items I had accumulated over the years. It got to the point where I could barely move around without tripping over something, and the constant visual noise was a constant source of anxiety and distraction.
But as I began to let go of the physical clutter, I noticed a profound shift in my mental and emotional state. Suddenly, I had more space to breathe, both literally and figuratively. I found that I was able to focus more easily, my mind felt clearer, and I experienced a profound sense of calm and peace that I hadn’t felt in years.
The Power of Ritual and Intention
Another key aspect of minimalism that I’ve found to be particularly helpful for stress relief is the emphasis on ritual and intention. As the post on Reddit’s r/digitalminimalism subreddit notes, it’s easy to get caught up in the “firehose of work, culture, and context” and lose sight of what’s truly important.
By incorporating rituals and intentional practices into my daily life, I’ve been able to create a sense of structure and stability that helps to ground me and alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety. For example, I’ve made a habit of starting each day with a simple breathing meditation, taking a few minutes to center myself and set my intentions for the day ahead.
I’ve also been more intentional about my leisure activities, choosing to engage in hobbies and activities that bring me genuine joy and fulfillment, rather than mindlessly scrolling through social media or binge-watching TV shows. As the blog post on Minimalist Mojo says, “That’s like asking someone to jump on a moving bus.” Instead, I’ve found that by slowing down and being more deliberate in my choices, I’m able to derive much more satisfaction and stress relief from my free time.
The Hidden Costs of Growth
But minimalism isn’t just about decluttering and simplifying our physical spaces – it’s also about being more intentional and mindful in our relationships and professional lives. As the article on Robin Greenfield’s website points out, “Adding a new person to the team is a huge investment, especially for a small team.”
When I first started my cleaning service company, Adam Cleaning, I was so focused on rapid growth and expansion that I often overlooked the hidden costs and stresses that came with that growth. I would hastily hire new employees without taking the time to properly vet and onboard them, and I would constantly be adding new services and products to my offerings without considering the impact on my team and my own stress levels.
But as I’ve embraced a more minimalist approach, I’ve learned to slow down and be more intentional in my decision-making. I now take the time to carefully consider each new hire and to ensure that they are a good fit for our company culture. I’ve also been more selective about the services and products I offer, prioritizing quality over quantity and focusing on the areas that truly bring the most value to my clients.
The Rewards of Simplicity
The journey towards minimalism hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve certainly had my fair share of setbacks and challenges along the way. But the rewards have been profound, both in terms of my personal well-being and the overall success of my business.
By letting go of the physical and mental clutter that was weighing me down, I’ve found that I’m able to approach each day with a renewed sense of focus, clarity, and calm. I’m able to be more present and engaged with my clients and my team, and I’ve experienced a significant reduction in stress and anxiety.
Moreover, by simplifying my offerings and being more intentional in my business decisions, I’ve been able to provide a higher level of service and quality to my clients. They appreciate the attention to detail and the personalized touch that comes with a more minimalist approach, and I’ve seen a corresponding increase in customer satisfaction and retention.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, I would encourage you to embrace the power of minimalism. Start by decluttering your physical spaces, and then extend that mindset to your professional and personal lives. Slow down, be more intentional, and focus on the things that truly matter. I can assure you that the rewards will be well worth the effort.
