Keeping it Simple

I have learned that simplicity is important for living a fulfilling life. This may sound strange coming from someone who can overthink almost everything. 😅 Maybe that is the paradox. I think a lot, but often because I am trying to answer one question: How can I make this simpler?

I remember moving into my first apartment and wanting everything to look complete. I bought furniture, paintings, and decorations because I wanted my home to look interesting and stylish. At first, I enjoyed it. But after some time, I realized that all these things also needed money, space, cleaning, and attention. Slowly, I started removing what I did not really need. My home is still eclectic because I enjoy beautiful and unusual things, but now I choose them more carefully. Simplicity does not mean having nothing. It means knowing what is worth keeping.

I learned the same lesson about my social life. Growing up, I sometimes wondered why I did not enjoy parties and large gatherings as much as other people. I tried to join them, make small talk, and enjoy what everyone else seemed to enjoy. But I often came home feeling more tired than happy. As I got older, I understood that I am simply an introvert. I prefer quieter places, meaningful conversations, cafés, books, travelling, learning languages, cinema, theatre, and time alone. I stopped forcing myself to enjoy a life that did not feel natural to me.

This also gave me more time for the things I truly enjoy. I do not need every weekend to be exciting. Give me a good book, a language to learn, somewhere new to explore, something to write or record, or simply a quiet afternoon, and I can be happy. I have learned that happiness does not always have to be loud.

Of course, my life is not exactly simple. My calendar would strongly disagree. 😅 I work a lot, study, travel, exercise, learn languages, and somehow continue finding new interests. So perhaps simplicity for me does not mean doing less. It means knowing why I am doing something. A busy life can still feel simple when the things inside it are things I have chosen for myself.

As I get older, I think this is one of the biggest changes in how I see life. Before, I thought a good life was built by adding more: more achievements, more experiences, more possessions, and more people. Now I understand that a good life is also about knowing what to remove.

Keep what matters. Let go of what does not. Make space for curiosity, rest, people you care about, and the things that make you feel like yourself.

I still overthink. I probably always will. But maybe there is no contradiction after all. Sometimes I think deeply because I am looking for the simplest answer.