My mental space became a top priority to me thanks to embracing the minimalist lifestyle years ago. I got to understand the importance of decluttering that space always, and my life has never remained the same positively. It became clear that lack of awareness and proper understanding about our mental well-being is why many of us find it difficult to keep that space tight, and to be honest, the struggle is real.
Many years back, I used to have a lot to deal with mentally, and the stress was overwhelming. I had numerous hurting memories that wouldn't just go away, and they automatically made me aggressive. At first, I was channeling the hate from those memories into strength, but that lasted for just a short time. It got to a point that I started having sleepless nights because of these memories and the only solution to get some sleep was draining myself, which wasn't healthy - I always wake up tired like I never slept at all.
Keeping up with friends was another source of mental stress for me. I knew friends actually make life beautiful, but my choices were wrong. I didn't get the same energy I was putting into relationships, and somehow, it was draining me mentally, but letting go was tough because I didn't want to be lonely. I was scared life would become boring and didn't want that.
Let me not even speak of the responsibilities that were messing up with my head. I had a whole lot happening up there, but letting go of these things wasn't easy despite the detriment to my mental health, but everything changed at a point. Doing away with these things for just a short period exposed me to a new life, and from that moment, my mental health became my biggest priority.
Today, I am very intentional about protecting my mental health, and sometimes even my siblings tease about it. They think I am doing too much but won't understand what I have been through struggling with my mental health. Sometimes, life happens, and I get off track with my routine protecting my mental health but I do ensure to call myself back to order before things get out of hand.
Living a simplified life and protecting my mental space works hand in hand for me. I just go through some simple routines, and they automatically influence my mental health positively.
Let's start with decluttering, which became a typical habit for me. I practice this both physically and mentally because combining both has a huge benefit.
It would interest you to know that decluttering made me cultivate the habit of evaluating myself (physical space, relationships with people, memories, and so on.) from time to time. After my evaluation, I get rid of things with no importance and keep things that are only important to me.
I automatically don't have much to think or worry about when my physical and mental space is clear of clutter. I have my priorities set and would only channel my resources into things that matter.
Practicing gratitude has always been my thing, and its influence on my mental health can't be quantified. It's one of the reasons why I no longer have regrets about the past or worry too much about the future.
Those two things have deprived a lot of people of the essence of today, and it messes up one's mental health easily. Practicing gratitude has helped me to stay content with life, therefore eradicating pressure or the habit of overthinking situations beyond me.
I have a neighbor who can't go a day without complaining about the hardship in the country. Yes, things are tight, but you are coping. I had to tell her to stop worrying too much to protect her mental health, or else things might get pretty worse for her.
Regardless of what my situation is, I know there is someone who is wishing to live a life like mine, so why do I have to pile pressure on my mental health especially on the nation's problem that I can't solve? Practicing gratitude has always worked for me, and I just can't get tired of doing it.
Prioritizing self-care helps with simplifying life, and this happens in the simplest of forms for me. Once the word self-care comes up, the first thing that comes up in many people's minds is going on vacation to get 5-star treatment and others. It's pretty fine, but I love it the other way around. Practicing self-care is as simple as taking a break from the hustling and bustling of life to relax. I do the things I love, which include cooking, hanging out in nature, recycling items, gardening, and many more.
All these activities disconnect me from the world and put me in the space I love the most. It helps me get refreshed mentally, and nothing beats that feeling.
One thing I am very confident about is that being keen on living a simplified life would automatically influence your mental well-being positively. I am a testimony to that, and anyone who truly understands the benefits that come with living a simplified life wouldn't trade that lifestyle for anything in the world.
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