I have to say that I have been following a minimalistic approach to life for quite some time now (10 years maybe). I have decluttered A LOT in these years. Removed from my life what does not serve me, what I don’t need or want anymore. I could probably write books about what and why I let go of. Items that once held some value (or at least I thought they did). But I will spare you this. It might come up here and there but there are enough books on minimalism out on the market.

What I find most exciting is not just the actual things you can reduce but also the mental clutter you can let go of. The worries, the bad and negative thoughts, the memories that hold you back from being in the NOW. I used to complain a lot. About all sorts of things. Mainly things, people and situations I could not change anyway. You cannot change people. If you try you will push them away. People only change when they WANT TO and feel the need to. Not when you want them to. Things you can either not buy or take or let go. the choices here are clear. Situations are a bit more difficult. Of course you can leave. But in the end you can’t always leave. I cannot leave my workplace just because I am unhappy with a situation. I can but then there are consequences that might make it more difficult. I cannot leave my three kids just because it’s all too much sometimes. But in all these moments I can think: „What is important RIGHT NOW?“ And do just that. Nothing else.

We complain so much about our stressful days but the most stress we have we make ourselves. If I constantly check my phone it stresses me. If I think I have to respond to any message right away I get annoyed. If I walk too fast with my phone glued to my face I get exhausted. Every moment we have the chance to ask: What is important now? And do just that.

Life is simple. It really is.

If you look at what you have you might realize that you don’t need as much as you think. You might actually realize that you have all you need. This was the case for me. I stopped aiming for more. Of course I don’t mind having more money to provide a more joyful life for my kids. Experience more adventures. Get a bigger sofa for the evergrowing kids and me. Go for dinner instead of cooking more often. But I am not focused all the time on how to make more and what to do about it. I have a job. I have what I need. Whatever comes in additionally is great. I am grateful. I still think about ways to make money. I would love to sell more art because it makes me very happy doing it and creating. But I am not desperate. I am happy.

Life is simple. Very simple. Not always easy. But simple.

When I am tired I go to sleep earlier. When I am excited I draw or dance or sing. When I have the energy I focus on my art, order prints, check the webshop, add stuff. When I feel lazy I order food for all of us. At 9pm my phone goes into night mode. No messages come through anymore unless I open the message apps. I love that. Sometimes I read messages in the morning and I am glad I did not care about them at night. I never missed something important. I look at the sky every now and then. It opens up my mind. It’s bright and sometimes I see funny shaped clouds. If it rains it rains. I might get wet. It’s warm at home. I have towels.

In my house I have not much of major value. My kids are most important to me. The rest is stuff. Stuff I can buy. I don’t worry about things. If the kitchen table has a cut it has a cut. That builds the character of the table. It’s a table where we come together as a family, laugh, talk, cry, paint, do homework, work, prep food, rest our tired heads on in the morning. It’s a thing that only exists if we let it.

Life is simple and I love that it is that way. All I have to do right now is to breathe and smile. And then all is well. I can continue work and be happy that I have everything I need.