How I Simplified My Life and Found More Joy

For the longest time, I believed joy was on the other side of “more.”

More success.

More possessions.

More plans.

More people.

More achievements.

Like many people, I filled my calendar, my closet, and my life with things I thought would make me feel whole. But all that more left me feeling less connected to myself. More noise. More pressure. More discontent.

Until one day, I paused and asked the simplest question:

“What if joy isn’t in adding—but in subtracting?”

That question changed everything. It led me down the path of simplifying, and in doing so, I discovered something that had been missing in the chaos:

Peace. Clarity. Ease. Joy.

Here's how I simplified my life—and why it brought me more joy than I ever expected.

1. I Decluttered More Than Just My Stuff

It started with my closet.

One Saturday, overwhelmed by how many clothes I had but how little I wore, I decided to get rid of everything that didn’t feel like me. Anything uncomfortable, unloved, or kept out of guilt went in the donation pile.

The physical space that opened up created a kind of mental space too.

So I kept going:

Unsubscribed from email lists that filled my inbox but not my life.

Deleted apps that drained my time.

Let go of digital clutter and old files that no longer served a purpose.

Decluttering became less about organization and more about intention. And with each thing I released, I felt lighter.

2. I Reclaimed My Time

One of the biggest sources of stress in my life was overcommitting—social events, work projects, favors, even online conversations. My time was constantly borrowed, never fully mine.

Simplifying meant learning the power of saying no.

Not harshly, but clearly. With love and boundaries.

I began asking myself:

Do I want to do this—or do I feel like I should?

Does this bring me closer to the life I want—or further from it?

By protecting my time, I protected my energy. And that space made room for the things that actually brought me joy—rest, creativity, connection.

3. I Stopped Multitasking (Even When It Felt Efficient)

I used to pride myself on doing multiple things at once—texting during meetings, eating while scrolling, listening while answering emails.

But my attention was always divided. And I rarely felt fully present.

Simplifying my life meant simplifying my focus.

Now, I try to do one thing at a time—fully.

Whether it’s a meal, a task, or a conversation, I give it my full attention.

Not only do I feel more connected, but I also enjoy things more.

Joy hides in the details—but you have to slow down enough to see them.

4. I Let Go of People Who No Longer Felt Aligned

This one was hard—but necessary.

Some connections were built on old versions of me.

Some drained me more than they nourished me.

Some existed out of obligation, not love.

I simplified my circle. Not out of spite—but out of self-respect.

And what remained were the people who truly see me. Who make space for my silence as much as my words. Who add peace to my life, not pressure.

Fewer relationships—but deeper ones.

That’s where the joy lives.

5. I Stopped Measuring My Worth by Productivity

Like many of us, I grew up believing that being busy meant being valuable.

But chasing busyness left me burned out and numb.

So I redefined what a “successful” day looked like.

Not by how much I checked off—but by how I felt.

Did I laugh?

Did I breathe deeply?

Did I connect with someone I love?

Did I rest without guilt?

Those are my new metrics.

Because joy doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from being more present.

6. I Created Simple, Soulful Rituals

Simplicity isn’t about emptiness—it’s about intention.

I replaced mindless habits with mindful rituals:

A slow morning coffee in silence.

Lighting a candle before journaling.

A tech-free walk in the evening.

Breathing deeply before starting work.

Tiny things—but they anchor me.

These moments remind me that joy isn’t hidden in big events. It’s tucked into the ordinary, waiting to be noticed.

7. I Released the Need to Impress

So much of the complexity in my life came from trying to be seen a certain way.

I wanted to be liked. Admired. Approved of.

But the more I simplified—my routines, my goals, my relationships—the more I stopped living for others’ validation.

And in that freedom, I found myself.

Joy came when I stopped performing and started showing up authentically.

Not perfect. Not polished. Just real.

Final Thoughts: Simplicity Is a Homecoming

I didn’t simplify my life to escape it.

I simplified to return to myself.

Now, my days are quieter—but fuller.

My schedule is lighter—but more meaningful.

My mind is calmer—and my heart, more open.

The biggest thing I’ve learned?

Joy was never in the “more.”

It was always in the “enough.”

So if your life feels too loud, too fast, too full—start small.

Clear one drawer.

Cancel one plan.

Pause for one breath.

And slowly, you’ll find your way back.

Not to a better life—

But to a simpler one.

And often, that’s where the joy has been waiting all along.