WHEN I first heard the term “minimalism”, I was picturing Kim Kardashian’s mansion or the idea of limitations on life. I’ve always thought about minimalism as something that relates to restrictions and limitations. Minimalism is not just about restrictions or an art form. These days, it’s a lifestyle. Throughout the years, it has gained popularity in mainstream media. In the past, minimalism could be found mostly in artwork and paintings. Artists use the concept of “less” to establish “more”. Likewise, minimalism has become a way of life for some people.

Minimalism encourages you to own only things that add value and meaning to your life and the lives of the people you care about—while removing the rest. In essence, it is about removing the clutter and pile of rubble within your life (figuratively or not) so you will have enough time and energy for the good things that remain. Our time and energy are limited—there’s only so much we can give to certain people, things, and places. As such, minimalism allows you to focus on only the things that matter the most. Everyone will have a different take on what it means to be minimalistic, but the general idea is that we should prioritise our best interests and possessions.

There’s no handbook or structure on how to be a minimalist. It’s more about holding a general belief about life and implementing it to suit you and your needs. It’s not a hobby, a project to complete, or a Pinterest ideology. Many people are quite serious about it; it should be a continuous lifestyle change if you’re serious about decluttering your life. I’ve decided to write on this topic because I believe it’s highly misunderstood and there are a lot of misconceptions about what it means to be minimalistic. It goes beyond Instagram and celebrity trends. Many of you may have an overwhelming amount of workload, you may have way too many things to do all at once, and you may have a life that feels crowded in almost every aspect imaginable.

Realistically, we should all be minimalists. Even if it’s not extreme, doesn’t it make sense to not have unnecessary clutter, baggage, and people around in your life? Isn’t it better to just focus your energy on what matters the most? Minimalism encourages a meaningful and intentional life. In the consumerism society we live in today—there are so many false values about things. There’s a nonstop cycle of people always wanting more, bigger and better. Some, they’re never content. There will always be something better than the things you currently have or own. Minimalism allows you to understand the values of the things you already have—instead of promoting a narrative that you need more.

In hindsight, your ability to focus on the things that matter the most should spark a high level of productivity. It should allow you to zoom in and understand a bit more about the things or people you hold dear to your heart. If you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to be a minimalist, then you can always research what can work best for you. I find that if you start small and gradually work your way up to your list of significant things, it makes the world of a difference. Start small—start by decluttering your makeup bag and your closet, and maybe then move on to your list of friends on Facebook. Minimalism is having “less” work to produce “more” for you. Your list of opportunities can grow, your availability in time can increase, your stress levels can decrease and your relationships can flourish—all by being intentional with your priorities in life.