Apollo Stuckey

Overstuffed and Overwhelmed: My First Steps Toward Minimalism
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"Why I Want to Be a Minimalist (And Why It’s Harder Than It Looks)"
Let’s talk about minimalism and why I’m on a mission to become one. Now, when you Google “minimalism,” the first thing you get is a bunch of AI telling you it has multiple meanings. And this time, they’re right! It does. You’ll see it most commonly tied to a lifestyle of simplicity—owning fewer possessions. Sure, it’s also an art movement, but as much as I love art, that’s not what here for today. I’m here to talk about living a minimalist lifestyle.
I want to be someone who keeps things simple, cuts down on clutter, and dials back on consumerism. The reason? A mix of trying to save money and clear up space in my life—both physically and mentally.
Why Minimalism? Because Why Not?
Honestly, why not try minimalism? Did you know one of my biggest dreams is to live in a tiny house, travel the world and hike? You know, that dream where I own 10 pieces of clothing, 2 pairs of shoes, and a camera. I romanticize the idea of a simple life where I focus on art and nature instead of getting caught up in what I own and what I wear.
But here’s the problem: I’ve struggled with feeling the need to keep up with the Joneses, thinking that being accepted means having more stuff. I’ve come to realize, though, that living the life I truly want means shedding that mindset. Thankfully, I’ve recognized it, sought help, and moved on from it, which is a big step toward living the life I feel was meant for me.
Now, let me be clear: minimalism isn’t for everyone. I can’t tell you what’s right for you—that’s between you and God. But I do want to hit you with a few stats to shed light on why overconsumption is a problem.
According to UAB (University of Alabama), we consume 400% more clothing today than we did 20 years ago. Alarming, right? And, I hate to sound like a tree-hugger, but our use of natural resources is off the charts. Just the U.S. alone uses ⅓ of the world’s paper and a quarter of its oil and coal. Plus, the average American household is drowning in debt—about $130,000 worth. Long story short, we are over-consumers, and I no longer want to be part of these numbers.
My Minimalist Goal
My goal with this lifestyle change is to shift my mindset around products and consumption. I don’t want to be a taker or a waster anymore. I genuinely feel in my soul that my purpose isn’t tied to things or overconsumption. I want to own less and experience more. Travel, take pictures, and live more impactfully.
I believe my possessions are holding me back—both spiritually and metaphorically. And, let’s be real, I just don’t like clutter. I know I’d feel more free, and I’d have more time to focus on God’s creations (including the people around me) if I didn’t have so many things to manage. Less stuff = less cleaning = more time with God. It’s a win-win.
The Plan: Start With the Closet (Pray for Me)
My first step is to create a calendar of all the areas in my home and tackle them week by week, starting with the closet. From my research, the closet is the best place to begin because once you clear that, the rest of the house is easier. But fam, I already know the closet is going to be a battle. We’ll cross that bridge next week.
The Minimalism Benefits That Sold Me
There are so many benefits to simplifying your life, but here are five that convinced me to make the switch:
Less Stress and Anxiety This is the big one for me. If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you know I’ve struggled with anxiety for most of my life. The APA (American Psychological Association) says cluttered spaces contribute to stress and anxiety, harming both our mental and physical health. If that’s not a good enough reason to declutter, I don’t know what is.
Increased Productivity and Focus I don’t need a study to tell me that I can’t focus in chaos. Me personally? I cannot think, relax, or get anything done in a messy environment. Period.
Less Decision Fatigue Let’s talk about decision fatigue—because it’s real, y’all. The more decisions I have to make, the more tired and drained I feel. By the time my husband asks me what we’re having for dinner, my answer is “I don’t know, maybe our shoes?” because sir I’m tired. And if you are a teacher or a mother or God forbid both like myself then you are feeling me at this point.
More Time to Serve Others If you’re new here, welcome! Hey, I’m a Christian blogger, and my goal is to serve others through my journey of healing and growth. Living simply means I can focus more on people and less on stuff, which lets me be more intentional with my time and energy.
More Money No need to over-explain this one. Buying less means spending less, which means more money to cancel out debt. It’s as simple as that.
Living a Healthier Life As a recovering hypochondriac, health is a huge deal for me. And living simply? It extends to your diet too. Eating simpler is on my to-do list, and I love that minimalism lets me knock out two goals in one go.