I used to think that ‘more’ was the answer.
More stuff, more screen time, more food, more distraction. I was stuck in a cycle of unhealthy habits—gaming addiction, binge eating, and a general laziness that kept me from living. I kept adding things to my life hoping one of them would finally make me happy. But all that ‘more’ just left me feeling empty, overwhelmed, and at over 110 pounds overweight, deeply unhealthy.
It turns out, the answer wasn't more. It was less.
Embracing simplicity wasn’t about giving everything up. It was about making room. It was about clearing out the noise so I could finally hear what mattered. It was about letting go of the habits that were destroying me to make space for a life of purpose, health, and a stronger faith.
This journey is ongoing, but these ideas have been my guideposts. I hope they can help you too.
The Freedom of Letting Go
We live in a world that screams for our attention. Buy this. Watch that. Do this. It’s exhausting. The first step toward a simpler life for me was realizing that most of it is just noise. Possessions don't just take up space in our homes; they take up space in our minds.
I started small. I got rid of clothes I never wore and gadgets I never used. But then it got deeper. I had to let go of the bad habits that were cluttering my life. The late-night gaming sessions weren't giving me joy; they were stealing my energy for the next day. The mindless eating wasn't comforting me; it was making me sick. Letting go of these things felt like a loss at first, but it created a space that I could fill with better things.
- “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” – Socrates
- “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris
- “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci
- “It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.” – Bertrand Russell
- “The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are.” – Mother Teresa
Finding Strength in the Essentials
When I cleared away the clutter, I was left with a quiet space. At first, it was uncomfortable. But in that quiet, I could finally focus on what was truly essential: my health, my purpose, and my relationship with God.
This is where everything changed for me. Instead of spending hours a day on distractions, I started dedicating time to prayer and reading scripture. My Christian Orthodox faith wasn't just a Sunday thing anymore. It became the foundation for my entire life. I realized my purpose wasn’t to accumulate things or experiences, but to serve God and others. This shift didn't happen overnight. It was a slow, humbling process of turning my focus from myself to Him.
Losing over 110 pounds wasn't just about diet and exercise. It was about honoring the body God gave me. It was an act of stewardship. Focusing on this one essential goal—my health—simplified my choices every single day.
- “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
- “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.” – Henry David Thoreau
- “The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.” – St. Thomas More
- “In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- “A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.” – Henry David Thoreau
- “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.” – Lin Yutang
The Power of a Simple Routine
Productivity isn’t about working 12-hour days. I learned that the hard way. I used to think I had to be “on” all the time to get ahead. Now, my most productive days are built around short bursts of deep work—usually just 2 to 4 hours.
By removing distractions and focusing intensely for a short period, I get more done than I ever did in a full day of scattered, interrupted work. This simple structure frees up the rest of my day for other important things: prayer, family, and rest.
A simple routine creates momentum. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. I built my new life on a foundation of small, repeatable actions: a short prayer when I wake up, a healthy breakfast, a focused work block, a walk outside. These small wins add up. They prove to you that you can change.
- “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
- “Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful.” – John Maeda
- “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:34
- “To be simple is to be great.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.” – Albert Einstein
- “Live a simple life; you will own the most beautiful treasures of the world!” – Mehmet Murat Ildan
Contentment Is the Goal
The world wants us to be discontent. It wants us to believe we are always one purchase away from happiness. But I’ve learned that true contentment comes from gratitude for what you already have.
Every day, I make a point to thank God for the small things: a good cup of coffee, the sun shining, a productive morning, a conversation with a friend. This simple practice rewired my brain. Instead of focusing on what I lacked, I started seeing the abundance all around me.
Simplicity isn't about austerity or poverty. It's about being so content with the essentials that the extras lose their power over you. It's a quiet confidence that you have enough. You are enough.
- “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” – Socrates
- “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” – Lao Tzu
- “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – Zig Ziglar
- “Simplicity is not about deprivation. Simplicity is about a greater appreciation for things that really matter.” – Anonymous
- “The greatest wealth is to live content with little.” – Plato
- “Joy comes not through possession or ownership but through a wise and loving heart.” – Buddha
- “A simple life is a beautiful life.” – Anonymous
- “Simplicity is the glory of expression.” – Walt Whitman
This journey from chaos to calm is a daily walk. Some days are easier than others. But every time I feel the pull of complexity, I come back to these simple truths. I clear the clutter, focus on the essentials, and find my footing once again.
It all starts with one small step. One thing you choose to let go of.
What is one thing—a possession, a habit, or a commitment—that you can release this week to make a little more room for peace?
