Remove the Unnecessary, Focus on the Essential

Roger L. Brooks/ December 17, 2023

There are many ways to live life, many philosophies to follow, and many paths to choose. However, in a society that often equates success with accumulation of possessions, removing the unnecessary stands out as a breath of fresh air.

G. K. Chesterton notably said, "There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less."

Chesterton broke down getting enough distinctly. One, continue to accumulate more stuff, trapped in an endless cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. The other, far more liberating way, is to desire less. This is the core of minimalism, or removing the unnecessary from our lives. This underscores an intentional lifestyle in living with less clutter, while focusing on what is truly essential.

At its heart, minimalism is about recognizing and focusing on what truly matters. It's about stripping away the excess, and the distractions to reveal the core of what is truly important. It's about finding contentment and satisfaction not in what we have, but in who we are and the experiences we choose to have.

But the practice of minimalism goes beyond just decluttering your physical possessions. It's also about decluttering your mind, your commitments, your routines, and even your relationships. Anything that does not add value to your life or that distracts you from your true goals and values is a candidate for removal.

Minimalism is not about deprivation or asceticism; rather, it's about making space for the things that truly matter. When you remove the things that do not serve you, you make room for the things that do. You free up time, energy, and resources for the activities, people, and experiences that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle does not mean you have to get rid of everything you own or live in a bare and sterile environment. Instead, it's about intentionality and mindfulness. It's about making conscious choices about what you bring into your life and what you choose to do with your time throughout the day.

Keep in mind, this philosophy is a journey, not a destination. It's a mindset and a lifestyle, not a one-time event. It's a process of constantly evaluating and re-evaluating what is truly important to you and making choices that reflect those values. It's about finding the balance between having enough and desiring less.

Removing the unnecessary is a powerful tool for creating the life you desire, so it becomes more meaningful, and substantial. It's a way of life that encourages you to declutter in order to focus on what's essential. It teaches you what Chesterton knew well... that there two distinct options: continue to accumulate more and more, or simply to desire less.

Roger L. Brooks is an entrepreneur, sales executive, bestselling author, book publisher and podcaster who has spent his business career in the customer loyalty and fintech (financial technology) industries.