ART/LIFE/STYLE
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less has taken my minimalism transition game to a new level. In fact, I would say that I’m not thinking anymore about minimalism or modeling my life on minimalist practices—maybe I’ll borrow a few, but I feel much more aligned with the concept of being an essentialist.
Essentially (haha!), an essentialist eliminates all things that are not directly aligned with the highest contribution they can make in their lives. It applies to everything from what you have in your closet (the Kondo Method is soooo essentialist!) to what projects you take on, which relationships you build, and which you let go.
In my transition to essentialism, I have been focusing on doing less than I think I “need to do” everyday. As an achievement addict (yep, achievement is like sugar to me. It creeps in and fills up my life and I end up going after it without realizing it), you can imagine what a challenge that is for me. To do less?! Whaaaaat?!
So far, I gotta say—I’m loving “less.” I’m way more deliberate about my decisions; which imbues the things I do choose to do with more meaning and intention, I have more time to digest and process my experiences and actions throughout the day, and all of that leads to the fact that I’m actually way more productive than I was when I was trying to “do everything.”
Gotta love that fourth dimension: TIME.
Some examples of things I’m essentializing:
make-up:
Red lipstick is essential. Until/If I find a natural foundation or a good diy make-up recipe, wear nothing else.
breakfast:
I make sure I have yogurt or fruit early on and then I usually make a bigger something later in the morning.
creative time:
I’m transitioning so that the majority of my time is spent on my highest contribution—my creativity. I consider any form of writing or making I do each day a huge achievement, which is a reframe for me. If I’ve “done nothing” else that day, I’ve done a lot.
thinking time:
time to think is essential for me. This is also a new reframe. Because of my internalized sexism, I used to think that only men could possibly need time to think. I dealt with that belief, and now consider my moments of daydreaming very important. I also deliberately leave some time that is designated for my thinking.
self-care:
Today is #SelfcareSunday, which I’m continuing from my self-care Saturday yesterday and will continue on my self-care Monday tomorrow. Essentialists understand the importance of self-care as a daily practice. Essentialist author, Greg McKweon refers to it as protecting your asset.
You are your greatest asset.
Today I vowed to eat as much as my body needs, watch a movie and answer emails.