June 3, 2024 • 17 mins
Can simplifying your life actually lead to greater mental well-being? Join me as I explore this profound question and offer insights from my years as a licensed psychotherapist. In this thought-provoking episode of Mind Manners, I share the transformative power of minimalism, drawing from Buddhist teachings and my own personal journey. Discover how letting go of physical and mental clutter can reduce stress and decision fatigue, allowing you to reclaim your mental energy and live a more intentional, fulfilling life.
Journey with me as I recount embracing minimalism at the tender age of 17, inspired by Eastern philosophy and a desire to master my mind. From shedding unnecessary possessions to navigating silent retreats and wilderness survival, learn how these experiences have shaped my therapeutic approach, particularly in addressing hoarding issues. This episode offers actionable steps to start your own journey towards simplicity, offering a path to clarity, joy, and fulfillment. Whether you're drowning in to-do lists or buried under physical clutter, gain practical tips to create space for what truly matters. Tune in and discover how minimalism might just be the key to a more peaceful, intentional life.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
In a society where we're constantly bombarded with
information, responsibilities,micro-decisions around everyday
things and our attachment tomaterial possessions just stuff,
lots of stuff the need tosimplify has never been more
urgent.
Our lives are often clutteredwith distractions and
commitments that leave usfeeling overwhelmed and stressed
(00:21):
.
As a therapist, I've seenfirsthand how this complexity
can take a toll on our mentalhealth, chipping away at our
bandwidth and causing burnoutand decision fatigue.
All this leads us to want somesemblance of peace, and the best
way I know to get there issimplicity.
One thing I will say is thatpeace is about simplifying, not
(00:41):
multiplying.
Simplicity offers a powerfulantidote to this overwhelm many
of us are experiencing.
Most of us struggle withholding on to too many stuff.
Internally and externally.
We struggle with hoarding-likementality, where we save things
or hold on to things because webelieve we need them, without
(01:02):
ever truly challenging that idea.
In today's session, we'llexplore how simplifying your
life can help you find innerpeace and harmony, and how you
can incorporate simplicity intoyour life to improve your mental
well-being and promotesustainability.
We'll discuss one simple,practical step that can change
your life.
By the end of this session, Ihope, to inspire you to take
(01:22):
small, meaningful steps towardsa simpler, more intentional way
of living.
So, whether you have an endlessto-do list, constantly
multitasking and still findyourself not where you want to
be, or you have a ton ofphysical stuff, this session is
for you because, at the core ofit all, it's all the same thing.
We have a strong attachmentthat compels us.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
You're listening to Mind Manners, hosted by licensed
psychotherapist Albert Nguyen.
Albert helps his clientsovercome past trauma, change
their mindset and acceleratetheir personal and professional
development.
This podcast covers a widerange of mental health and
self-development topics, witheach episode offering an
actionable step towards a betteryou.
(02:05):
If you're on a wellness journey, keep listening.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
The practice of simplifying isn't a new concept.
In fact, it's deeply rooted inancient traditions, particularly
Buddhism.
This is actually where I firstheard about it and began
practicing it in my own life.
Buddhist teachings emphasizethe importance of mindfulness,
minimalism and non-attachment,and letting go of the excess to
(02:29):
achieve a balanced andfulfilling life, and many people
have found this concept usefulthe idea that detaching from
strong desires such as ways ofthinking, stuff we own that we
don't really need, and makingefforts to minimize the
logistics and material aspectsof our lives, and how this can
give us back power, that we canredirect or even make room for
(02:53):
the new, and I believe we allcould benefit from it.
So why exactly do we all needsimplicity?
In our modern world, complexityhas become the norm.
We're constantly bombarded withinformation, responsibilities
and material possessions.
This pervasive complexity canlead to significant stress and
anxiety.
For instance, think about howmany times you've felt
(03:15):
overwhelmed by your endlessto-do lists, the clutter in your
home or the constantnotifications on your phone.
These elements of a complicatedlife can easily spiral into
mental health issues such aschronic stress, anxiety and even
depression.
The constant influx ofinformation from emails, social
media and news can create asense of urgency and pressure,
(03:37):
making it difficult to focus onwhat truly matters.
We end up multitasking, tryingto juggle multiple
responsibilities at once, whichonly adds to our stress levels.
The physical clutter in ourliving spaces can mirror the
mental clutter in our minds,making it hard to find peace and
clarity.
Consider the emotional toll ofalways being on and connected.
(03:57):
The pressure to respondimmediately to messages and
emails, the fear of missing outon social media and the endless
stream of notifications can makeit feel like there's no escape.
This constant state ofalertness can prevent our minds
from turning off or resting,leading to burnout and a
diminished capacity to enjoy thepresent moment, because we just
(04:19):
don't have the bandwidth.
Adding to this complexity isdecision fatigue.
Have the bandwidth?
Adding to this complexity isdecision fatigue.
Every day, we are faced withcountless small decisions that
compete for our attention andenergy, from choosing what to
wear, what to eat or which tasksto prioritize.
These decisions can quicklybecome overwhelming.
When our decision-makingcapacity is exhausted, we often
(04:41):
give in to the impulse and pullof the path of least resistance,
which might not always be thehealthiest or most beneficial
choice.
Decision fatigue can lead topoor choices, increased stress
and a sense of being out ofcontrol.
By simplifying your life, youcan truly reduce the number of
decisions you need to make,thereby conserving your mental
energy for more important tasksand being more deliberate about
(05:03):
where you direct your focus andenergy, hopefully towards things
that add value and cultivate alife you are actually proud of
and enjoy waking up to.
As a therapist, I've observedcommon themes of overwhelm in my
sessions.
Many of my patients expressfeelings stretched so thin and
in so many different directionsand buried under the weight of
(05:24):
their obligations, bills, stuffand possessions.
They often share how thisconstant state of busyness
leaves them feeling drained andunfulfilled, as if they've
become a slave to their own life.
But it's not just about beingbusy.
It's about being so mentallyoverwhelmed that they can't even
reach the core of what makesthem happy.
(05:46):
I've had patients who, whengiven the free time and space to
think about what truly bringsthem joy, find themselves at a
loss in time just flying bybecause they're just trying to
reset and recuperate, only toreturn to the very things that
drain them.
This territory of personalhappiness is often unexplored or
underdeveloped because they'vebeen so caught up in the demands
(06:08):
and distractions of daily lifethey are so used to running on
autopilot, handling one taskafter another, that they've lost
touch with their inner desiresand needs.
This, to me, is truly sad andtragic, and this is why there is
a deep sense of need tosimplify.
In therapy, I frequently talkabout stripping away the
(06:30):
non-essential and focusing onwhat truly brings value and joy
to our lives.
This isn't just a nice-to-have.
It's a necessary shift formental and emotional well-being.
One therapeutic approach that Iencourage everyone to practice
well-being One therapeuticapproach that I encourage
everyone to practice which youwill hear me repeat often is
mindfulness.
There's so many ways tointegrate a mindfulness practice
(06:51):
into daily life, and I could goon and on about being fully
present and engaging in thecurrent, present moments by
reducing the mental load andfocusing on one task at a time,
but for this session, I reallywant to focus on one very
action-oriented practice thatembodies simplicity, and that's
minimalism.
Let me share a personal storyabout when I first decided to
(07:14):
embrace minimalism.
I remember it very clearly Iwas 17 years old.
At that time.
I wasn't particularly stressedor overwhelmed at this stage of
my life, but I was on a quest tobecome a better version of
myself, having already trainedextensively in martial arts for
seven uninterrupted years andachieving my black belt with
flying colors, I had gained somelevel of mastery over my body.
(07:36):
Naturally, my focus thenshifted to really mastering the
nuances of my mind.
I was reading a lot ofphilosophy at this time,
including different religious,cultural and spiritual books,
and was heavily influencedparticularly by Eastern
philosophy.
It was during this period that Istumbled upon the concept of
minimalism.
Intrigued by the idea, Idecided to make a significant
(07:59):
change.
Without much planning, Igrabbed a box and started
filling it with things I feltwere distractions or vices that
didn't serve me well or have mybest interests in mind.
I got rid of movies, certainbooks, porn, video games and a
large percentage of my clothes.
I even shaved my head tominimize any strong attachment
(08:21):
to my personal appearance.
I narrowed my possessions downsignificantly to my personal
appearance.
I narrowed my possessions downsignificantly, viewing this as
an act of readiness and acommitment to becoming a better
version of myself.
And it worked.
I found that I was more focusedand had more time for what
truly mattered.
I felt more present.
This commitment to minimalismallowed me to cultivate a deeper
(08:44):
sense of clarity and purpose.
Fast forward to today.
I have continued to embrace andevolve this practice.
I've done silent retreats atBuddhist monasteries, adopting
their simple living principles.
I've survived in the wildernesswith nothing but water and the
clothes on my back.
Through all these experiences,minimalism has remained a core
(09:06):
principle in my life.
Moreover, my journey withminimalism has also shaped my
approach as a therapist.
I've helped patients strugglingwith extreme hoarding issues by
guiding them towards a simpler,more intentional way of living.
Minimalism isn't just aboutgetting rid of stuff.
It's about creating space,physically and mentally, for the
(09:27):
things that truly matter.
It's about stripping away thenon-essential to focus on what
brings joy, peace andfulfillment.
Embracing minimalism at such ayoung age set me on a path of
self-discovery and intentionalliving.
It has allowed me to helpothers find clarity and purpose
(09:48):
in their lives.
I hope my story inspires you toconsider how simplifying your
own life can bring aboutprofound changes and open up
space for what truly matters.
Don't worry, I'm notencouraging you all to live like
a monk, get rid of everythingor own only one pair of clothes,
although you can try it as ashort-term experiment to fully
(10:11):
immerse yourself in it and thenwork backward to make it more
adaptable to your modern way ofliving.
But no pressure.
That's why I'm here To livethrough stuff like that and
bring these experiences to you,making it more realistic for
everyday life.
So I tell this story because Iwant you to start thinking about
(10:32):
how you're living your own life.
How often do you spend the hoursof your days exerting needless
energy to collect more and more,more memories, more moments,
more stuff, and then drainyourself as you continue to hold
on to them?
Honestly, do you really need toadd another item to the
plethora of clothes in yourcloset?
Do you really need to launchanother side project only to be
(10:53):
left with a track history ofunfinished projects, or should
you just triple down on the onethat you've been procrastinating
on for years?
Do you really need to take onmore responsibility at work?
Do you really need to connectwith more people, or have you
considered cutting down yoursocial circle and connecting
more deeply with the people youactually care about?
(11:13):
If there's anything I've learnedover the years, especially in
recent years, it's that in afast-paced society, there's
nothing more invigorating to themind and body than slowing down
and simplifying your life.
There's nothing more calming tothe soul than simplifying your
environment and material life toexperience more gratitude and
appreciation, and to eventuallylearn how to simplify and
(11:37):
declutter your own mind.
Embracing simplicity is notjust about reducing physical
clutter.
It's about creating mental andemotional space to explore and
rediscover what truly brings youjoy and fulfillment.
It's about learning to say noto the non-essential so you can
say yes to what genuinelymatters.
So I say all this to encourageyou to start with just one
(12:00):
practice.
The art of simple living firstbegins with shedding Shedding
from your old clothes and allneedless material possessions,
shedding your burdens and allthe emotional baggage that no
longer serve you, shedding thecircles of friends who drain you
, and even shedding your ego,pride, vanity and facades,
(12:20):
shedding the irrational need tobe constantly doing something in
order to fill the gaps betweenspace and time.
The way I see it, shedding isless a process of removal than
it is a process of renewal.
It is less about letting gothan it is about peeling away
the layers to arrive at yourtruest, most authentic self.
How else can you reach your owninner essence if you don't
(12:43):
shave off the things thatconsume your attention and
distract you from your core self?
The easiest way to start is bydecluttering your physical life.
Focus on your environment andmaterial possessions first.
Why?
Because dealing with somethingtangible helps us understand and
manage our mental clutter.
It connects us to the presentand can bring an immediate sense
(13:06):
of change.
Start small.
There's no rush.
Grab a box and label itdonation.
Go through your space onecorner of the room at a time and
decide what you can donate.
Keep it simple.
No need for complicated systems.
Just notice what items you'restrongly attached to and ask
yourself if they serve a purposeor bring you joy.
(13:28):
As you sort through your items,practice mindfulness.
Pay attention to the feelingsand thoughts that arise when you
handle each item.
This helps you stay present andmake more intentional decisions
about what to keep and what tolet go of.
The goal here is to actuallystart letting go and donating
(13:49):
some stuff.
As you go through this process,make a commitment not to buy
anything new until you completethis task of going through your
belongings.
This commitment helps reinforcethe practice of ensuring you
don't replace what you've justcleared out.
Once you complete the process,you will need to establish clear
boundaries for what you willand won't allow back into your
(14:12):
space.
This could mean setting limitson new purchases or being more
selective about what you bringinto your home.
Once you've made progress withyour physical space, you can
eventually move on to thedigital decluttering and more.
Our digital lives can be justas cluttered as our physical
ones.
Organize your files, manageyour email inbox and cut down on
(14:35):
screen time.
Set specific times for checkingsocial media and emails to
avoid constant interruptions.
But again, just start and tryit out.
Give it a shot by starting withyour physical space.
Remember, once you startdecluttering and living more
simply, the process doesn't end.
It's ongoing.
In fact, like what I tell mostpeople, all changes need to be
(14:57):
sustainable enough to become away of life for you.
Otherwise, you're just puttinga band-aid on and any change
will be short-lived.
You'll need to set boundarieswith yourself.
This boundary needs to protectthe life you actually want to
live and what you actually careabout from any unintentional
forces that could lead youastray.
It gets easier as you createmore space.
(15:20):
You'll figure out what's trulyimportant to you and you'll be
able to make it work for yourlife.
Studies have shown thatdecluttering can lead to several
mental health benefits.
It can boost your mood, helpimprove your physical health,
sharpen your focus, energize youand relieve anxiety.
What I really hope is that thisrings true for you, that less is
(15:42):
really more, that you will feelless overwhelmed with the
things that don't matter, thatyou will have more energy, let
alone space, to deepen yourrelationship and engage with
what matters, and even exploreforgotten or new parts of
yourself.
By simplifying, you'll findthat you truly feel more
gratitude, have more energy,more focus, be more productive
(16:04):
and even more creative.
Whether it's spending time withloved ones, engaging in a hobby
or simply enjoying a quietmoment of reflection, this
rediscovery is crucial for youremotional resilience and
long-term well-being.
In the end, simplicity is notjust about reducing stress.
It's about creating space forjoy, peace and personal
fulfillment.
(16:24):
It's about finding the clarityto understand what truly matters
and allowing that understandingto guide your life.
Remember, the journey to asimpler life starts with small,
intentional steps.
If you enjoyed this session,please subscribe, leave a review
and share it with someone whomight benefit from embracing
(16:45):
simplicity.
Until next time, take care andbe well tuning in to Mind
Manners with Albert Nguyen.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
We hope you found value in this episode.
If you'd like to work withAlbert one-on-one, visit
OptiMindCounselingcom to learnmore about his private practice.
Looking to join a community oflike-minded individuals, search
Mind Manners Podcast Communityon Facebook and join our group
to connect with others on theirwellness journeys.
Finally, if you haven't alreadydone so, please write us a
(17:18):
five-star review on ApplePodcast and let us know you're
enjoying the show.
In a society where we're constantly bombarded with
information, responsibilities,micro-decisions around everyday
things and our attachment tomaterial possessions just stuff,
lots of stuff the need tosimplify has never been more
urgent.
Our lives are often clutteredwith distractions and
commitments that leave usfeeling overwhelmed and stressed
(00:21):
.
As a therapist, I've seenfirsthand how this complexity
can take a toll on our mentalhealth, chipping away at our
bandwidth and causing burnoutand decision fatigue.
All this leads us to want somesemblance of peace, and the best
way I know to get there issimplicity.
One thing I will say is thatpeace is about simplifying, not
(00:41):
multiplying.
Simplicity offers a powerfulantidote to this overwhelm many
of us are experiencing.
Most of us struggle withholding on to too many stuff.
Internally and externally.
We struggle with hoarding-likementality, where we save things
or hold on to things because webelieve we need them, without
(01:02):
ever truly challenging that idea.
In today's session, we'llexplore how simplifying your
life can help you find innerpeace and harmony, and how you
can incorporate simplicity intoyour life to improve your mental
well-being and promotesustainability.
We'll discuss one simple,practical step that can change
your life.
By the end of this session, Ihope, to inspire you to take
(01:22):
small, meaningful steps towardsa simpler, more intentional way
of living.
So, whether you have an endlessto-do list, constantly
multitasking and still findyourself not where you want to
be, or you have a ton ofphysical stuff, this session is
for you because, at the core ofit all, it's all the same thing.
We have a strong attachmentthat compels us.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
You're listening to Mind Manners, hosted by licensed
psychotherapist Albert Nguyen.
Albert helps his clientsovercome past trauma, change
their mindset and acceleratetheir personal and professional
development.
This podcast covers a widerange of mental health and
self-development topics, witheach episode offering an
actionable step towards a betteryou.
(02:05):
If you're on a wellness journey, keep listening.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
The practice of simplifying isn't a new concept.
In fact, it's deeply rooted inancient traditions, particularly
Buddhism.
This is actually where I firstheard about it and began
practicing it in my own life.
Buddhist teachings emphasizethe importance of mindfulness,
minimalism and non-attachment,and letting go of the excess to
(02:29):
achieve a balanced andfulfilling life, and many people
have found this concept usefulthe idea that detaching from
strong desires such as ways ofthinking, stuff we own that we
don't really need, and makingefforts to minimize the
logistics and material aspectsof our lives, and how this can
give us back power, that we canredirect or even make room for
(02:53):
the new, and I believe we allcould benefit from it.
So why exactly do we all needsimplicity?
In our modern world, complexityhas become the norm.
We're constantly bombarded withinformation, responsibilities
and material possessions.
This pervasive complexity canlead to significant stress and
anxiety.
For instance, think about howmany times you've felt
(03:15):
overwhelmed by your endlessto-do lists, the clutter in your
home or the constantnotifications on your phone.
These elements of a complicatedlife can easily spiral into
mental health issues such aschronic stress, anxiety and even
depression.
The constant influx ofinformation from emails, social
media and news can create asense of urgency and pressure,
(03:37):
making it difficult to focus onwhat truly matters.
We end up multitasking, tryingto juggle multiple
responsibilities at once, whichonly adds to our stress levels.
The physical clutter in ourliving spaces can mirror the
mental clutter in our minds,making it hard to find peace and
clarity.
Consider the emotional toll ofalways being on and connected.
(03:57):
The pressure to respondimmediately to messages and
emails, the fear of missing outon social media and the endless
stream of notifications can makeit feel like there's no escape.
This constant state ofalertness can prevent our minds
from turning off or resting,leading to burnout and a
diminished capacity to enjoy thepresent moment, because we just
(04:19):
don't have the bandwidth.
Adding to this complexity isdecision fatigue.
Have the bandwidth?
Adding to this complexity isdecision fatigue.
Every day, we are faced withcountless small decisions that
compete for our attention andenergy, from choosing what to
wear, what to eat or which tasksto prioritize.
These decisions can quicklybecome overwhelming.
When our decision-makingcapacity is exhausted, we often
(04:41):
give in to the impulse and pullof the path of least resistance,
which might not always be thehealthiest or most beneficial
choice.
Decision fatigue can lead topoor choices, increased stress
and a sense of being out ofcontrol.
By simplifying your life, youcan truly reduce the number of
decisions you need to make,thereby conserving your mental
energy for more important tasksand being more deliberate about
(05:03):
where you direct your focus andenergy, hopefully towards things
that add value and cultivate alife you are actually proud of
and enjoy waking up to.
As a therapist, I've observedcommon themes of overwhelm in my
sessions.
Many of my patients expressfeelings stretched so thin and
in so many different directionsand buried under the weight of
(05:24):
their obligations, bills, stuffand possessions.
They often share how thisconstant state of busyness
leaves them feeling drained andunfulfilled, as if they've
become a slave to their own life.
But it's not just about beingbusy.
It's about being so mentallyoverwhelmed that they can't even
reach the core of what makesthem happy.
(05:46):
I've had patients who, whengiven the free time and space to
think about what truly bringsthem joy, find themselves at a
loss in time just flying bybecause they're just trying to
reset and recuperate, only toreturn to the very things that
drain them.
This territory of personalhappiness is often unexplored or
underdeveloped because they'vebeen so caught up in the demands
(06:08):
and distractions of daily lifethey are so used to running on
autopilot, handling one taskafter another, that they've lost
touch with their inner desiresand needs.
This, to me, is truly sad andtragic, and this is why there is
a deep sense of need tosimplify.
In therapy, I frequently talkabout stripping away the
(06:30):
non-essential and focusing onwhat truly brings value and joy
to our lives.
This isn't just a nice-to-have.
It's a necessary shift formental and emotional well-being.
One therapeutic approach that Iencourage everyone to practice
well-being One therapeuticapproach that I encourage
everyone to practice which youwill hear me repeat often is
mindfulness.
There's so many ways tointegrate a mindfulness practice
(06:51):
into daily life, and I could goon and on about being fully
present and engaging in thecurrent, present moments by
reducing the mental load andfocusing on one task at a time,
but for this session, I reallywant to focus on one very
action-oriented practice thatembodies simplicity, and that's
minimalism.
Let me share a personal storyabout when I first decided to
(07:14):
embrace minimalism.
I remember it very clearly Iwas 17 years old.
At that time.
I wasn't particularly stressedor overwhelmed at this stage of
my life, but I was on a quest tobecome a better version of
myself, having already trainedextensively in martial arts for
seven uninterrupted years andachieving my black belt with
flying colors, I had gained somelevel of mastery over my body.
(07:36):
Naturally, my focus thenshifted to really mastering the
nuances of my mind.
I was reading a lot ofphilosophy at this time,
including different religious,cultural and spiritual books,
and was heavily influencedparticularly by Eastern
philosophy.
It was during this period that Istumbled upon the concept of
minimalism.
Intrigued by the idea, Idecided to make a significant
(07:59):
change.
Without much planning, Igrabbed a box and started
filling it with things I feltwere distractions or vices that
didn't serve me well or have mybest interests in mind.
I got rid of movies, certainbooks, porn, video games and a
large percentage of my clothes.
I even shaved my head tominimize any strong attachment
(08:21):
to my personal appearance.
I narrowed my possessions downsignificantly to my personal
appearance.
I narrowed my possessions downsignificantly, viewing this as
an act of readiness and acommitment to becoming a better
version of myself.
And it worked.
I found that I was more focusedand had more time for what
truly mattered.
I felt more present.
This commitment to minimalismallowed me to cultivate a deeper
(08:44):
sense of clarity and purpose.
Fast forward to today.
I have continued to embrace andevolve this practice.
I've done silent retreats atBuddhist monasteries, adopting
their simple living principles.
I've survived in the wildernesswith nothing but water and the
clothes on my back.
Through all these experiences,minimalism has remained a core
(09:06):
principle in my life.
Moreover, my journey withminimalism has also shaped my
approach as a therapist.
I've helped patients strugglingwith extreme hoarding issues by
guiding them towards a simpler,more intentional way of living.
Minimalism isn't just aboutgetting rid of stuff.
It's about creating space,physically and mentally, for the
(09:27):
things that truly matter.
It's about stripping away thenon-essential to focus on what
brings joy, peace andfulfillment.
Embracing minimalism at such ayoung age set me on a path of
self-discovery and intentionalliving.
It has allowed me to helpothers find clarity and purpose
(09:48):
in their lives.
I hope my story inspires you toconsider how simplifying your
own life can bring aboutprofound changes and open up
space for what truly matters.
Don't worry, I'm notencouraging you all to live like
a monk, get rid of everythingor own only one pair of clothes,
although you can try it as ashort-term experiment to fully
(10:11):
immerse yourself in it and thenwork backward to make it more
adaptable to your modern way ofliving.
But no pressure.
That's why I'm here To livethrough stuff like that and
bring these experiences to you,making it more realistic for
everyday life.
So I tell this story because Iwant you to start thinking about
(10:32):
how you're living your own life.
How often do you spend the hoursof your days exerting needless
energy to collect more and more,more memories, more moments,
more stuff, and then drainyourself as you continue to hold
on to them?
Honestly, do you really need toadd another item to the
plethora of clothes in yourcloset?
Do you really need to launchanother side project only to be
(10:53):
left with a track history ofunfinished projects, or should
you just triple down on the onethat you've been procrastinating
on for years?
Do you really need to take onmore responsibility at work?
Do you really need to connectwith more people, or have you
considered cutting down yoursocial circle and connecting
more deeply with the people youactually care about?
(11:13):
If there's anything I've learnedover the years, especially in
recent years, it's that in afast-paced society, there's
nothing more invigorating to themind and body than slowing down
and simplifying your life.
There's nothing more calming tothe soul than simplifying your
environment and material life toexperience more gratitude and
appreciation, and to eventuallylearn how to simplify and
(11:37):
declutter your own mind.
Embracing simplicity is notjust about reducing physical
clutter.
It's about creating mental andemotional space to explore and
rediscover what truly brings youjoy and fulfillment.
It's about learning to say noto the non-essential so you can
say yes to what genuinelymatters.
So I say all this to encourageyou to start with just one
(12:00):
practice.
The art of simple living firstbegins with shedding Shedding
from your old clothes and allneedless material possessions,
shedding your burdens and allthe emotional baggage that no
longer serve you, shedding thecircles of friends who drain you
, and even shedding your ego,pride, vanity and facades,
(12:20):
shedding the irrational need tobe constantly doing something in
order to fill the gaps betweenspace and time.
The way I see it, shedding isless a process of removal than
it is a process of renewal.
It is less about letting gothan it is about peeling away
the layers to arrive at yourtruest, most authentic self.
How else can you reach your owninner essence if you don't
(12:43):
shave off the things thatconsume your attention and
distract you from your core self?
The easiest way to start is bydecluttering your physical life.
Focus on your environment andmaterial possessions first.
Why?
Because dealing with somethingtangible helps us understand and
manage our mental clutter.
It connects us to the presentand can bring an immediate sense
(13:06):
of change.
Start small.
There's no rush.
Grab a box and label itdonation.
Go through your space onecorner of the room at a time and
decide what you can donate.
Keep it simple.
No need for complicated systems.
Just notice what items you'restrongly attached to and ask
yourself if they serve a purposeor bring you joy.
(13:28):
As you sort through your items,practice mindfulness.
Pay attention to the feelingsand thoughts that arise when you
handle each item.
This helps you stay present andmake more intentional decisions
about what to keep and what tolet go of.
The goal here is to actuallystart letting go and donating
(13:49):
some stuff.
As you go through this process,make a commitment not to buy
anything new until you completethis task of going through your
belongings.
This commitment helps reinforcethe practice of ensuring you
don't replace what you've justcleared out.
Once you complete the process,you will need to establish clear
boundaries for what you willand won't allow back into your
(14:12):
space.
This could mean setting limitson new purchases or being more
selective about what you bringinto your home.
Once you've made progress withyour physical space, you can
eventually move on to thedigital decluttering and more.
Our digital lives can be justas cluttered as our physical
ones.
Organize your files, manageyour email inbox and cut down on
(14:35):
screen time.
Set specific times for checkingsocial media and emails to
avoid constant interruptions.
But again, just start and tryit out.
Give it a shot by starting withyour physical space.
Remember, once you startdecluttering and living more
simply, the process doesn't end.
It's ongoing.
In fact, like what I tell mostpeople, all changes need to be
(14:57):
sustainable enough to become away of life for you.
Otherwise, you're just puttinga band-aid on and any change
will be short-lived.
You'll need to set boundarieswith yourself.
This boundary needs to protectthe life you actually want to
live and what you actually careabout from any unintentional
forces that could lead youastray.
It gets easier as you createmore space.
(15:20):
You'll figure out what's trulyimportant to you and you'll be
able to make it work for yourlife.
Studies have shown thatdecluttering can lead to several
mental health benefits.
It can boost your mood, helpimprove your physical health,
sharpen your focus, energize youand relieve anxiety.
What I really hope is that thisrings true for you, that less is
(15:42):
really more, that you will feelless overwhelmed with the
things that don't matter, thatyou will have more energy, let
alone space, to deepen yourrelationship and engage with
what matters, and even exploreforgotten or new parts of
yourself.
By simplifying, you'll findthat you truly feel more
gratitude, have more energy,more focus, be more productive
(16:04):
and even more creative.
Whether it's spending time withloved ones, engaging in a hobby
or simply enjoying a quietmoment of reflection, this
rediscovery is crucial for youremotional resilience and
long-term well-being.
In the end, simplicity is notjust about reducing stress.
It's about creating space forjoy, peace and personal
fulfillment.
(16:24):
It's about finding the clarityto understand what truly matters
and allowing that understandingto guide your life.
Remember, the journey to asimpler life starts with small,
intentional steps.
If you enjoyed this session,please subscribe, leave a review
and share it with someone whomight benefit from embracing
(16:45):
simplicity.
Until next time, take care andbe well tuning in to Mind
Manners with Albert Nguyen.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
We hope you found value in this episode.
If you'd like to work withAlbert one-on-one, visit
OptiMindCounselingcom to learnmore about his private practice.
Looking to join a community oflike-minded individuals, search
Mind Manners Podcast Communityon Facebook and join our group
to connect with others on theirwellness journeys.
Finally, if you haven't alreadydone so, please write us a
(17:18):
five-star review on ApplePodcast and let us know you're
enjoying the show.
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