If there is anything the last eleven months has shown me, it is that sometimes the things you let go of shape you more than the things that you chase, so I did not enter the year with any dramatic New Year’s resolution or vision board, I just slowly started dropping habits that were stressing my mind, and somehow, my life began to breathe again.
So the First thing I stopped doing was saying yes to everything, you see I used to be that person who didn’t want anyone to feel disappointed, so I would say yes, even when my whole body was screaming for me to say No, to Events, errands, favours, emotional support duties , I mean I was everywhere, but one day, I realised I was giving from an empty cup and still trying to pour more, So I started saying no, gently but also firmly.
And honestly, the space that no created?was Peace, just pure peace, and I suddenly had free evenings to sit with myself, listen to my own thoughts, and even enjoy loneliness instead of running from it, I stopped feeling guilty for choosing myself, and that alone has really made my life lighter.
Secondly, I stopped buying things just because they were fine, This one was a fight, because temptation is everywhere on TikTok, Instagram, even WhatsApp vendors, a cute bag here, a random kitchen gadget there, a perfume I didn’t need, before I knew it, clutter had built its own estate in my room, so I stopped
I started asking myself, do you need it, or is it just sweet to your eyes? And most times, the answer was the eyes deceiving me, Cutting down on impulsive buying created more physical space, yes, but also more mental space, i realised I actually prefer my simplicity, and my room started looking calmer, also my mind followed.
The third thing I stopped doing was comparing my journey to other people’s, this one… hmm, you know social media can humble you and confuse you at the same time, someone is traveling, someone is buying a car, someone is giving birth to twins, someone is cashing out, see to God If you are not careful, you will start thinking you are doing life wrongly.
But comparison is a thief, and I was tired of feeling robbed, So what I did was reduced my scrolling, and focused on my own timeline, Instead of staring at other people’s highlights, I used that time to celebrate my own small wins finishing a task early, staying consistent with something, even having a good laugh.
The space comparison left behind? Was Confidence, and I started appreciating my pace and trusting that my story has its own rhythm, there was no pressure, no silent competition, it was just me there growing quietly.
And you see, all these little changes ended up pushing me closer to a more minimalist lifestyle without me even planning for it, my mind feels clearer, my environment feels lighter, and my heart feels less rushed, and yeah...It turns out that sometimes, the things you remove matter more than the things you add, and honestly? I’m better for it.
Images Are Mine
