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Simplicity: Making Room for What Matters

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I was doing some research on spiritual disciplines when I came across one I had never really considered before: simplicity.

I knew about prayer, fasting, meditation, Bible study, and Sabbath, but simplicity? I had never thought about it as a spiritual discipline.

I’ve always been interested in clutter and the impact it can have on our mental and emotional well-being. I read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, which explores how the busyness and distractions of our lives can interfere with our ability to connect with God.

As I started learning more about simplicity, I realized it goes much deeper than having a clean house or an organized closet.

Simplicity isn’t just about getting rid of things. It’s about making room for what truly matters.

The Clutter We Don’t See

A few years ago, I wrote a post about being “minimalist adjacent.” I like the idea of minimalism, but I’m not quite a minimalist.

I don’t have a lot of visible clutter in my house. But I do have a lot of closets! My house can look neat and organized, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t have more stuff than I need.

Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to do a major purge. Not just my regular seasonal cleaning, but really going through things and asking myself what I need, what I use, and what is simply taking up space.

I’ve always been someone who gives things away. Every season, I go through clothes and other items we no longer use. It’s something my mother taught me growing up. Even when we didn’t have a lot, we still gave things away.

But what if decluttering isn’t just about creating a cleaner home? What if it can also be an opportunity to practice contentment, generosity, and intentionality?

I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with enjoying nice things. I like shopping. I like having things that make my home comfortable and things my family will enjoy.

But simplicity challenges us to examine our relationship with those things.

The goal isn’t necessarily to own less. It’s to make sure what we own doesn’t begin to own us.

Simplicity Goes Beyond Our Homes

Here’s what really challenged me about simplicity as a spiritual discipline: clutter isn’t always physical.

Our minds can be cluttered. Our schedules can be cluttered. Even our spiritual lives can become cluttered.

We can fill every available moment with something to do, somewhere to go, something to watch, or something to think about and then wonder why we struggle to find quiet moments with God.

In Luke 10:38–42, Martha was busy taking care of responsibilities while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him. Martha wasn’t doing something bad. She was serving. But she had become distracted by everything that needed to be done.

Sometimes we don’t need another activity, commitment, or responsibility.

Sometimes we need room to rest. Room to think. Room to pray. Room to simply be present.

Making Room

I’m learning that simplicity isn’t something we accomplish once and check off a list. We can clean out every closet, but if we don’t change our habits, they’ll eventually fill back up. The same is true of our schedules and our minds.

So as I think about my desire to purge my home, I’m also thinking about the other areas of my life.

What am I holding on to that I no longer need?

What is taking up unnecessary space, physically or mentally?

What might I have more room for if I learned to let some things go?

Simplicity isn’t just about what we’re willing to get rid of. It’s about what we’re making room for.

Until next time,

Dominique

Minimalist adjacent

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Have you ever heard the term “minimalist” and thought it meant getting rid of everything you own and living in an empty room? That was my initial impression too. But as I delved deeper into the concept, I discovered that minimalist living is about intentionally choosing to live with fewer possessions, focusing only on what truly adds value to our lives.

In today’s fast-paced world, clutter seems to be an ever-present issue. Our homes are filled with things we rarely use, and our minds are crowded with distractions. But what if clearing out physical clutter could lead to a clearer mind and a deeper connection with the world around us?

Author and speaker John Mark Comer, in his book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry,” highlights the importance of creating clear space in our lives. He emphasizes the idea that clutter isn’t just physical—it can also clutter our minds, making it difficult to hear God or connect with our inner selves.

By simplifying our surroundings—whether it’s getting rid of clothes we never wear, toys our kids have outgrown, or clearing out shelves and closets—we can create space for what truly matters. This act of decluttering isn’t just about tidying up our homes; it’s about asking ourselves, “Does this possession add value to my life? “

Minimalism isn’t about deprivation; it’s about abundance—abundance of time, energy, and focus. By resisting the urge to constantly acquire more stuff, we free ourselves from the burden of excessive possessions and gain more time for the things that truly bring us joy and fulfillment.

Moreover, studies have shown a direct link between clutter and anxiety. By decluttering our physical spaces, we can alleviate stress and create a more peaceful environment for ourselves and our families.

Ask yourself, why am I buying these things? What feeling am I chasing?

I will never be a true minimalist. I enjoy shopping too much, but I can do better. I have been trying to not buy anything until I give some things away, that has been working somewhat.

In conclusion, embracing minimalism isn’t about giving up everything we own; it’s about being intentional with what we choose to surround ourselves with. It’s about creating space for what truly matters and finding clarity in a cluttered world. Minimalism is a life long journey, decluttering doesn’t happen overnight. So let’s take a step back, evaluate our possessions, and simplify our lives for a greater sense of peace, purpose, and connection.