At its most basic, living more simply means let go of things that are no longer you — whether objects, thoughts, or outdated identities. But if you clear the closet without clearing the mind, the empty room will fill again — this time with worry, new plans, and anxiety that you are missing something.
Perhaps you have tried minimalism—selling possessions, reorganizing your space, following a “30 days of minimalism” checklist. For the first few weeks, something really did feel lighter. Then gradually, the heaviness returned in another form. Because that heaviness was not on the bookshelf. It was in the mind.
1. Minimalism from the Outside In—and Vice Versa
Modern minimalism teaches us to examine physical space: discard things that do not “spark joy” and keep what is truly necessary. That is a good beginning. But it often overlooks a more fundamental question:
Who is choosing to hold on? Who is choosing to let go? And what is that “I” made of?
When you tidy a room, you are confronting the old choice — things meaningful to an older version of you. But consciousness is also filled with “old belongings”: inherited beliefs you never questioned, childhood fears, and identities chosen for safety — rather than to be allowed to be yourself.
True minimalism begins within. The external space will naturally reflect it when the mind is cleared first.
2. Inner Complexity—The Source of a Burdensome Life
Perhaps you have woken one morning feeling tired—before doing anything. Not physically tired, but tired because the mind has been running for three hours before sunrise.
That is a sign of a consciousness “holding too much.” Not emails or to-do lists, but layers of automatic reactions beneath the surface: judgment, comparison, expectation, fear of loss, of not being enough, of being seen, of being forgotten.
Life is not heavy because you have many tasks. It is heavy because you carry too much in your head about each task.
Modern psychology calls this “cognitive load.” But in the language of awareness, it is ignorance: not seeing clearly, and therefore reacting rather than responding; being pulled along rather than standing firm.
3. Four Layers of “Clutter to Clear” in Consciousness
If minimalism means decluttering, these are four layers to recognize and release:
- Unproductive repetitive thoughts — mental loops that lead nowhere and only drain energy. They are not you; they are clouds passing across the sky of consciousness.
- An outdated identity — “I'm not good enough,” “I must be strong,” “I don't deserve rest.” These stories once protected you. Now they imprison you.
- Low-energy relationships — you do not necessarily need to cut ties, but look clearly: are you giving from love or fear? From freedom or emotional indebtedness?
- A Goal That Is Not Your Own — things you “should” want according to society, family, or an older version of yourself. Chasing them is not living; it is performing.
Letting go does not mean giving up. It means choose again consciously — from a clearer place, rather than inertia.
4. “Enough” Is a State of Consciousness, Not a Number
One of the most common illusions: “When I have X, I'll feel enough.” X might be money, status, a relationship, or a perfect living space arranged like a Pinterest image.
But “enough” is not a destination. It is a perspective.
When you are quiet enough, someone within you always knows that you already have enough.
A consciousness in scarcity sees lack in everything. A consciousness in abundance sees grace in the same circumstances. Not because reality has changed, but because the way of seeing has changed.
This is why external minimalism, without inner work, is merely another form of “collecting” — this time collecting emptiness, then worrying that you are not minimalist enough.
5. Meditation—An Irreplaceable Tool for Clearing the Mind
If you want to live more simply at a deeper level, meditation is not a luxury. It is the most practical action you can take.
Not because meditation helps you escape life. Quite the opposite:
Meditation is not about leaving life behind — it is about entering life more deeply, with a quieter mind.
In Awakening Meditation, there is a practice called Turning the Light Inward — turning the light of attention inward, asking: “Who knows this?” This is not philosophy. It is a concrete action interrupting the mind's automatic loop and creating space — the space of choice.
When you have that space, life no longer simply “happens to you.” You begin to live consciously. And that is the true foundation of simple living.
You can learn more about the Awakening Meditation Method and its specific steps in the book Teacher Saga’s books at Inti Foundation.
6. Practice Now: A 5-Minute “Clear the Mind” Exercise
You do not need a meditation mat or to switch off your phone completely. Just 5 minutes and honesty with yourself.
- Sit still and take three long breaths. Do nothing else. Simply feel the breath coming in and going out.
- Ask, “What am I carrying?” Do not analyze; simply observe. Is there a thought that keeps returning? Is there a feeling sitting beneath your chest? Notice without judgment.
- Then ask, “Is this who I am?” Or is it just a layer you are wearing? An old pattern of reacting? An expectation someone placed on you?
- Breathe out and gently say to yourself: “I see this. I am not this.”
- End with one small action — not changing your whole life. Just one thing you can simplify today: a less perfectionist meeting, a truthful reply rather than a correct one, an evening with nothing to do.
Repeat these five minutes each day, and within a few weeks you will begin to see that life has not changed much on the outside, but something inside feels noticeably lighter.
7. Simplicity Is Not Emptiness—It Is Wholeness
There is an unspoken fear many people dare not voice when thinking about living more simply: If I let go of all those things, who am I left as?
This is the most important question. And the answer is not as frightening as you think.
When you let go of the layers that are not you—judgment, constant worry, outdated identities—you do not become empty. You become more whole. What remains is not nothingness. It is you, before the world told you who you needed to be.
Awakening is not becoming someone else — it is returning to yourself.
Living simply, in its deepest sense, means living real. No performing, hoarding, or chasing. Simply being present, aware, and enough.
It is not easy. But it is possible.
If you wish to begin this journey with support, Inti Foundation is where you can find courses and practice resources.
Tạ Minh Tuấn (Saga)
Frequently asked questions
Where does living more simply begin?
Begin within: see clearly the thoughts, beliefs, and automatic reactions draining your energy. Clear the mind first, and the outside space will naturally reflect it.
Does minimalism mean getting rid of everything?
No. Deeper minimalism means consciously choosing again: keeping what is truly you and letting go of what is merely habit, expectation, or fear.
What does meditation have to do with living more simply?
Meditation is the most practical tool for clearing the mind. When the mind is quieter, you naturally see more clearly what truly matters — and what is merely noise.
How do I know if I am carrying too much in my mind?
Common signs: waking up tired, a constantly racing mind, difficulty sitting still, a sense of lack without knowing what is missing. It is your consciousness that is overloaded—not your schedule.
Does living more simply mean having no ambition?
No. You can be ambitious and live simply when your goals come from your true inner self rather than fear or others’ expectations. That is the difference between acting from awareness and reacting.