Minimalism (2/5): The core principle
In a world overflowing with options, distractions, and obligations, it’s easy to lose focus on what truly matters, as highlighted in 'Minimalism (1/5): A Path to Intentional Living.' We're constantly urged to accumulate more—whether it's material possessions, social status, or experiences. This relentless pursuit often leaves us feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and disconnected from our authentic selves. However, minimalism offers a powerful remedy to this modern-day fixation.
What is the core principle of minimalism?
At the heart of minimalism lies a simple yet profound principle: focusing on what matters most. Minimalism is not just about getting rid of things; it’s about making deliberate choices that align with your values and priorities. It’s a lifestyle that challenges the idea that more is always better and instead encourages us to seek quality over quantity, essence over excess.
Minimalism invites us to strip away the nonessential, allowing us to concentrate on the elements of life that bring us joy, fulfillment, and purpose. By doing so, we can cultivate a life that is not only simpler but also richer and more meaningful.
Challenging the accumulation of goods, commitments, and information
In today’s society, we are often encouraged to believe that happiness and success are tied to how much we have—whether it’s material goods, social commitments, or even the latest information. However, this mindset can lead to a life cluttered with possessions, overwhelmed by obligations, and burdened by an overload of information.
Minimalism challenges this accumulation by asking us to reevaluate what we truly need and what genuinely adds value to our lives. It encourages us to break free from the cycle of endless consumption and focus instead on what brings us lasting satisfaction.
For example, instead of constantly acquiring new items, minimalism teaches us to appreciate and make the most of what we already have. It also urges us to be more selective with our time and energy, saying no to commitments that don’t align with our values, and curating the information we consume to avoid mental overload.
Discerning what adds true value to life
The journey toward minimalism begins with a fundamental question: What truly matters to you? This question requires us to look inward and reflect on our core values—those guiding principles that define who we are and what we stand for.
Establishing a habit of identifying and reflecting on your core values can be a transformative practice that keeps your life aligned with what’s most important. This Nanohabit involves setting aside dedicated time regularly to deeply consider what principles and beliefs hold the utmost importance in your life.
Nanohabit: Identify core values
Regularly reflect and align your life with your deepest values.
This practice encourages you to examine the fundamental values that guide your decisions, actions, and interactions with others. It's about asking yourself what qualities you admire, what standards you live by, and what you want your legacy to be. By making this reflection a regular habit, you create a compass that guides your life's direction, ensuring that your choices and actions consistently reflect what truly matters to you.
Tips for identifying your core values:
Use lists for value identification: Start with comprehensive lists like those in "The Confidence Gap" by Dr. Russ Harris. Choose your top six to eight values, knowing they may change over time.
Reflect on influential people: Think of three to six people you admire and identify their most valued qualities, whether family, friends, or public figures. This reveals the values you aspire to.
Recall peak experiences: Reflect on moments of vitality or challenge. Analyze these to understand the values at play, revealing what truly matters to you.
Ask guiding questions: Envision your legacy, how you'd use windfalls, or qualities you admire. These questions probe your value system.
Benefits:
Better Decisions: Your core values guide you in making decisions that align with your true self.
Greater Self-Awareness: Reflecting on values deepens your understanding of what drives you.
Life Alignment: Ensures your actions and goals match what truly matters to you.
This habit is inspired by Covey, S. R. (2021). The seven habits of highly effective people: Restoring the character ethic (30th Anniversary Edition). Simon & Schuster.
More minimalism Nanohabits
An extensive collection of other minimalism habits can be found in the Nanohabits App (for Apple and Android). It's a great tool that helps you effortlessly integrate these small, meaningful changes into your daily life.
Practical tips for evaluating life through the lens of core values
Reflect regularly: Set aside time to regularly reflect on your core values, using the tips mentioned above. Journaling can be a helpful tool for this, allowing you to track how well your current lifestyle aligns with your values.
Conduct a life audit: Periodically review your possessions, commitments, and activities. Ask yourself if each one truly adds value to your life or if it’s something you’ve accumulated out of habit or societal pressure.
Set intentional boundaries: Learn to say no to things that don’t align with your values. This could mean declining social invitations that don’t bring you joy or setting limits on how much information you consume daily.
Practice gratitude: Cultivate a mindset of gratitude by focusing on what you have rather than what you lack. This shift in perspective can help you appreciate the true value of your current possessions and experiences.
Simplify gradually: Minimalism doesn’t happen overnight. Start small by decluttering one area of your life—whether it’s your wardrobe, your schedule, or your digital space—and gradually work toward a simpler, more intentional lifestyle.
Call to action: begin prioritizing what matters most
Minimalism is not just about living with less; it’s about living with intention. By focusing on what matters most, you can create a life that is deeply aligned with your core values, leading to greater fulfillment and peace of mind.
I encourage you to take the first step today. Reflect on your core values and begin to evaluate your life through this lens. Identify areas where you can simplify, let go of what no longer serves you, and make space for what truly matters. Remember, the goal is not perfection but progress—each small step you take toward minimalism brings you closer to a life of intentionality and purpose.
By Markus Keränen, Nanohabits