Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
~Robert Breault
Life is a beautiful journey, but let’s face it—sometimes, it gets more complicated than it needs to be.
Between juggling work, family, social commitments, and that ever-growing to-do list, our easy and clutter-free life gets complicated. And simplicity starts to feel like a luxury.
Yet, at the heart of it all, there’s a yearning to go back to basics—a desire to embrace simple living high thinking.
But it doesn’t mean giving up on our ambitions or choosing discomfort. To live a simple life is easy; all it needs is a redirection—redefining what truly matters and aligning our choices with our values.
Minimalism teaches us to experience life in a way that focuses only on the essentials. To do so, we must ease our load and embrace a life with clear intentions and purpose. Introducing minimalism into our lives will help us create a life filled with clarity, purpose, and peace, and through it, we will redirect ourselves towards simplicity.
So, let’s begin our journey toward understanding these complications and how to overcome them.
Following are the five telltale signs to watch for—and along with them are minimalist solutions to help you simplify and reclaim your peace with simple living high thinking.
1. You are always saying, “I don’t have time”
How often have you heard yourself saying, “I wish I could, but I just don’t have the time”?
It is so common to find ourselves complaining that we never seem to have enough time for ourselves. We skip that coffee with a friend or put off a passion project for the “perfect time,” which we strongly hope will come someday. But sadly, that time never comes.
It’s easy to fall into the loop of overcommitting, multitasking, and trying to do it all. This constant hustle makes it seem like we never have enough time, even though, technically, we are doing “everything.” We overburden ourselves and find it hard to have the right time when everything fits in. We are constantly in the guilt loop about not having enough time, but the truth is, it’s not always about how much time we have—it’s about how we use it.
How to break free? Minimalism mantra—Simple living high thinking.
- Prioritize ruthlessly. What truly matters today? Focus on that and let go of the rest.
- Say “no” more often. It’s not selfish—it’s essential for your well-being.
- Create white space. Block out time in your calendar just for you, even if it’s 10 minutes to breathe and reset.
2. You feel mentally drained all the time
If your brain feels like it’s running a marathon every day, then, my friend, you are dealing with too much mental clutter.
Whether feeling tired right after waking up or the inability to find time for something as basic as reading a book, mental exhaustion can feel like a constant sense of juggling a million thoughts at once. The saddest part is that even though we are busy and running from one task to another, in reality, we are just mentally drained.
Sometimes, when we carry too much mental clutter, overthink, or try to meet unrealistic expectations, we end up being irritated and low in self-esteem instead of feeling successful.
The result? Unnecessary decision fatigue due to constant decision-making, emotional overload from carrying unresolved stress, guilt, or anxiety, and lack of mental rest. Every stress on our mental space affects us and leads to further mental clutter.
How to break free? Minimalism mantra—Simple living high thinking.
- Practice mindfulness. Spend a few minutes each day focusing on your breathing or enjoying a quiet moment.
- Declutter your mind. Write down everything that’s stressing you out, then tackle one thing at a time.
- Set boundaries. Limit your exposure to draining conversations or activities.
3. Your space feels chaotic
A cluttered home, workspace, car—if each and every space you own starts looking cluttered and is often messy, then high chances, it is a sign that your life is overcomplicated.
Overcomplication doesn’t just mean a complicated mind. Often, when everything around us starts to feel like a complication, our space becomes complicated, too. As a result, we start feeling chaotic, and everything around us gets messier. A disorganized environment mirrors a chaotic mind, and the constant visual noise drains our energy and focus.
Clutter doesn’t just take up physical space—it also occupies mental and emotional space, making it harder to relax, think clearly, or even enjoy your surroundings. This can stem from a number of things like holding onto “just in case” items, delaying tidying or organizing, or the fact that, with time, many unnecessary things accumulate because we fail to assess whether we truly need them.
How to break free? Minimalism mantra—Simple living high thinking.
- Start small. Tidy one drawer, shelf, or corner each day.
- Adopt a “one in, one out” rule. Let go of one for every new item you bring into your space.
- Focus on functionality. Keep only what serves you and adds value to your life.
4. You are constantly chasing “more”
Do you feel like you are never satisfied, no matter what you achieve or acquire? Whether it’s material possessions, career achievements, or even social validation, no achievement satisfies you, and it seems like an endless pursuit.
Society often tells us that more is better, but all it does is leave us feeling empty. In the race to overachieve and overdeliver, we often forget to pause and enjoy the present—present achievements, celebrations, and moments. While ambition and goals are essential for growth, constantly chasing after the next big thing often traps us in a cycle of dissatisfaction.
There is nothing wrong with setting big goals, but the problem with chasing “more” is that it often shifts our focus away from what we already have. We are so busy striving for the future that we miss the beauty and contentment of the present moment.
How to break free? Minimalism mantra—Simple living high thinking.
- Define your “enough.” What truly makes you happy and content? Focus on that.
- Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of the good things you already have.
- Unplug from consumer culture. Limit exposure to ads and social media that fuel the “more” mentality.
5. You rarely take time for yourself
When was the last time you truly took a break—without guilt?
Life is a race, and anyone telling you otherwise is lying. But it is okay to pause once in a while and enjoy the view while sipping your favourite tea or perhaps watch your favourite movie with the jungle as your backdrop.
Overcomplication often manifests as an overly packed schedule that leaves no room for self-care. If your day is filled with obligations to others and little time to recharge, it’s a sign that your priorities need realignment.
Our society makes us feel guilty for taking time out for ourselves. Unless we are packed with work deadlines, family commitments, social obligations, and errands, we are labelled as lazy or not ambitious enough.
Taking time for yourself isn’t being selfish—it’s about maintaining your well-being so you can show up fully for the people and responsibilities that matter to you. It is necessary for you to refuel yourself and feel the kick again.
And how to break free? The simple but powerful minimalism mantra—Simple living, high thinking.
- Have mandatory “me time.” Treat self-care as a non-negotiable part of your day. Block out time for activities that recharge you, whether it’s reading, meditating, exercising, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea.
- Practice small gestures. You don’t need to do something big. Simple actions like stepping outside for fresh air or listening to your favourite music can help you reconnect with yourself.
- Delegate. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Whether it’s at work or home, delegating tasks can free up time for you to rest and recharge.
Remember: Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a smart way to manage your energy.
Final thoughts
When life gets overcomplicated, it is necessary that we take a step back and start looking at our lives from a fresh perspective. Life doesn’t have to be a constant hustle or a never-ending list of obligations. Recognizing the signs of overcomplication is the first step to creating a simpler, more fulfilling life.
By embracing minimalism in our lives, we can not only redirect our approach toward life but also start living it more intentionally. Living life to its full potential is about being responsible for our choices and pausing now and then to enjoy it.
Through simple living, high thinking, we can live life in a way that is filled with self-discovery and intentional choices. It is not about doing less but rather doing what matters most.
This blog was written by Ayesha Mollah, a professional blogger who has embraced minimalism since 2023 and is on the path toward understanding and accepting the greater meanings of life.
Update: She is now slowly attaining clarity and developing a more meaningful purpose in her life.
