15 Inspirational Quotes About Minimalism and Living Your Life with Intentionality
I love quotes! It is amazing how such short phrases can inspire. I'm sharing 15 quotes about minimalism and simple living to inspire you to live more intentionally.
Living simply makes loving simple. -Bell Hooks
By making the choice to live simply, you are freeing up both mental and physical space to be more present with the people and things that you love the most. Living simply with intention necessitates a level of introspection where you are in tune with your passions and have a sense of what you value. Living simply frees up the space to spend your time doing what you love with the people you love.
Practice wanting what you already have. -Unknown
We have been programmed in many ways to want to consume and desire after the next big thing. This quote inspires me to take stock of what I already have and practice gratitude rather than longing. When we want what we already have, we free up space to be present and enjoy the moments that are given to us.
Stop the glorification of busy. -Tonya Dalton
As a society, we tend to equate busyness with success. There is an underlying belief that if you being productive, then you are wasting time. We get so busy that we find ourselves searching for distractions without even realizing it, then we focus on the stress of how busy we are. It is okay to just be present and enjoy where you are without having to accomplish something.
Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fueled by procrastination. -Christina Scalise
If you want to know my current mental state, look at the state of my bedroom. If my nightstand is cluttered and my bed is unmade, then I am not in a great space mentally. Clutter is often an outer sign of our inner turmoil and feelings of being overwhelmed. If you notice this in your life as well, taking care of the clutter is a great way to feel back in control when things feel out of control.
We go on multiplying our conveniences only to multiply our cares. We increase our possessions only to the enlargement of our anxieties. -Anna C. Brackett
It is a clear concept that the more you have, the more you have to take care of. While we all realize this to some degree, we slowly increase our possessions, or increase our responsibilities, without ever taking the time to take something off of our tables (both literally and figuratively). Edit out the excess.
The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment. -Marie Kondo
I am guilty of sometimes dreading cleaning something for longer than it actually takes to do the cleaning itself, despite knowing that I will feel better once a space is cleaned. By viewing the act of cleaning as creating a space you are happy to live in rather than a chore to tick off your to-do list, you are reframing the act of cleaning as a creative endeavor.
If your clutter is stressful, prioritize your physical and mental health and let it go. -Courtney Carver
It is common to feel guilty about getting rid of things. We don't want to feel wasteful. We don't want to disappoint the person who gave us something. We hold on to a lot of items for sentimental reasons. While these are all valid concerns, if clutter is stressing you out, it may be time to let those items go, or find a better way to organize and store them. Your house should be somewhere you enjoy to live, not a storage space.
We can only be said to be alive when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. -Thornton Wilder
When asked what matters the most, we tend to list the things in our life that do not have a price tag. In listing what we are grateful for, we do not tend to list the things that are cluttering our homes. The act of decluttering invites you to consider what your treasures actually are. You can learn a lot about yourself in the process.
You say, "If I had a little more, I should surely be satisfied." You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. - Charles Spurgeon
By focusing on what you want but don't have, you are wiring your brain to focus on attaining new things. This repeated habit continues to reinforce the idea that you need more. Unfortunately, this mindset does not have an end-goal in mind, only a repeated pattern of consumerism. It is okay to not have the newest trends, because they are constantly changing anyway. Focus on what you have, what you love about it, and only consider purchases that are in line with those values.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. - Leonardo da Vinci
We tend to overcomplicate things with the best of intentions, but often the simplest solution is the best one. There is beauty in simplicity, especially in a world that tends to feel so complicated.
There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth. - Leo Tolstoy
We all have an inner longing for what is simple, good, and true. In overcomplicating things, we often move away from these aspects to our detriment. Stress has a way of running our bodies down both physically and mentally. In focusing on the simple, the good, and the true, we are turning away from stress and welcoming a more healthy life.
The secret to happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in the capacity to enjoy less. - Socrates
When you are focused on seeking more, then you are not fully living in the present. The act of seeking more also means that there is something in the present that you are not happy or satisfied with. While it is important to be forward thinking, by constantly focusing on seeking more, you are unable to fully appreciate what you have now.
The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing. - John Kabat-Zinn
Slow down and give yourself time to capture moments in your life. Be present with those around you. Minimize distractions, and simply be present. Our presence is a precious gift that we can share with those around us. By taking the time to simply listen and observe, you are practicing mindfulness.
Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from few wants. - Epictetus
When we want for little, we are happy with little. How many of us can say we truly feel content, yet we have so much more than generations before us. By wanting for little, you learn to cherish the little things that you have.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Rejoicing in the way things are is no easy task. While we've talked about being content with what you have, that can feel wholly different from rejoicing in the way things are. This can only happen by living with intentionality, and experiencing your life with gratitude and generosity. The aim of this blog is to not only encourage you to be happy with what you have, but to rejoice in where you are in this moment. Only then can you really find mindfulness amidst the mayhem.
