Essentialism for highly sensitive people. I’m all about creating our own calm, and one of the ways we can do that is to simplify our life. Typically, when we think about this simplification, we come across the concept of minimalism. However, minimalism may not be quite as effective as essentialism for highly sensitive people.
I had a friend at one of the pediatric ICUs I used to work with that was a minimalist. She literally had one chair at her counter to eat, two sets of dishes, one piece of art hanging on her wall, and all of her other possessions were very minimal. I do enjoy simplicity and less clutter for sure – but instead of minimalism, I follow the concept of essentialism.
And if you’re not sure what the difference is, or haven’t heard about essentialism before – let’s talk about it. For highly sensitive high achievers like us, the distinction can make a significant difference in how we experience and manage stress in our daily lives.
Minimalism is often characterized by the intentional reduction of material possessions and distractions. It’s about decluttering our physical and mental spaces while it focuses on what truly matters.
I try to keep my computer desktop minimalist – only having the folders I need, making sure that I’m putting things away to avoid clutter. The same goes for around my actual desk. The less things I have here, the less cleaning I’ll have to do while having less distractions I’ll have.
While the idea of applying minimalism to every aspect of my life is appealing to me, to be honest, it doesn’t work for me in practice at all. In my experience, it actually doesn’t work for a lot of people in practice. That being said, there are definitely some good reasons to give minimalism a try!
Essentialism, on the other hand, is something I can get behind! It’s about deciding what is truly essential and eliminating the rest. It’s not just about having less or doing less; it’s about being more intentional with what we have and what we do. Essentialism encourages us to invest our time, energy, and resources in things that genuinely align with our values and bring us joy.
For me, this means minimalism without guilt. Basically essentialism feels like minimalism without expectations or judgement. Yes, I know the judgement mostly comes from myself, but here are a few other reasons why I prefer essentialism (and also the limitations that are important to be aware of)
This year, I found myself drawn more towards essentialism, particularly in my garden. Traditionally, I’ve approached gardening with a minimalist mindset—planting only vegetables, keeping everything functional and straightforward. However, this year I decided to make a shift. I introduced a variety of potted flowers and strawberries around our gazebo area, creating a calming and welcoming space.
My friend, the difference between my backyard this year and last year is pretty huge. It’s become an oasis!
Sitting in this space now, surrounded by the colors and fragrances of the flowers, I feel a sense of peace and joy that goes beyond mere functionality.
This small change exemplifies the essence of essentialism—choosing what brings us joy and enhances our lives, even if it means adding rather than subtracting.
For me, essentialism resonates deeply because it aligns with my values and needs as a highly sensitive person. It allows for flexibility and personal expression without the rigidity of minimalism. By focusing on what is truly essential, I find that I can create spaces and experiences that make me feel alive and support my well-being by helping me create more calm.
Essentialism also acknowledges the complexity of life! It understands that what is essential can change over time and that our environments should evolve with us. This approach feels more sustainable and compassionate, recognizing that sometimes we need more, not less, to feel complete.
Wondering how to embrace essentialism as a highly sensitive high achiever to create more calm and fulfillment? Here are a few steps to get started:
The journey towards essentialism is a deeply personal one. It’s about finding what truly resonates with us and creating a life that reflects our values and brings us joy. For those of us who are highly sensitive high achievers, this approach offers a compassionate and sustainable way to cultivate calm and fulfillment in our lives.
Ready to take your first step to creating your own calm oasis without the guilt? Start by discovering your core values here.
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