In our hectic modern lifestyle, slowing down feels like a luxury—or even a rebellion. We’re constantly nudged to hustle harder, do more, and chase after the next big item. However, holistic and Native Ways educator Chief Phillip Scott poses a thought-provoking question: What if the true path to wellness doesn’t lie in productivity apps or green juice trends but in something far more fundamental? Simplicity. At its core, simplicity is about clearing the clutter—physically, emotionally, mentally —to make space for what truly matters. It’s not about living with less just for the sake of it. It’s about living with intention. And, as more people are discovering, it just might be the antidote to a healthier, more fulfilling life.
What Is Simplicity, Really?
Simplicity doesn’t mean selling all your belongings or living off-grid. It means stripping away the nonessentials to focus on what brings you peace, purpose, and connection. It’s about being present in the moment, saying “no” when necessary, and choosing quality over quantity—in relationships, behaviors, and even in your closet. Think of it as pressing pause in a world that’s always on fast-forward.
It can look different for everyone. For some, it’s decluttering a home filled with unused stuff. For others, it’s creating space in a jam-packed schedule or setting boundaries in overstimulating digital environments. The common thread? A decision to live more deliberately.
Why Simplicity Heals
Modern life bombards us with stressors—notifications, deadlines, social pressure, and the unrelenting fear of missing out. Our bodies respond to all of those stimuli. Chronic stress is linked to anxiety, depression, inflammation, and even heart disease. But here’s the good news: we can counteract those effects by embracing simplicity.
A slower, simpler lifestyle supports better sleep, healthier eating habits, deeper relationships, and improved mental and emotional clarity. When you’re not stretched too thin, you’re more present. More aware. And that awareness alone can lower cortisol levels, enhance emotional regulation, and give your brain room to breathe.
Simplicity also gives you time—and permission—to rest. In a culture that often equates worth with busyness, choosing rest is revolutionary…and healing.
Declutter Your Physical Space
Let’s start with the tangible: your environment. There’s a reason clearing has been trending for years. A tidy, well-organized space has been shown to reduce anxiety and increase focus. But decluttering isn’t about removing everything; it’s about creating a space that serves you, not stresses you.
Start small—maybe that overflowing drawer or your digital desktop. Ask yourself: Do I use this? Do I enjoy it? Do I know its story? If the answer is no, let it go. You’ll be surprised how much lighter you feel, mentally, emotionally and energetically, when your space is aligned with your intentions.
And remember: it’s not a one-time purge. It’s a practice of deliberate ownership. Simplicity isn’t about lack. It’s about intention.
Clear the Mental Clutter
Our minds can become just as cluttered as our homes. Phillip Scott points out that negative self-talk, old stories, and unprocessed emotions take up valuable head and heart space. Mental simplicity begins with awareness. Are you carrying thoughts that drain you? Are you saying yes to things that don’t align with your values?
Journaling, meditation, and even therapy can be powerful tools for untangling mental knots. When you identify what’s weighing you down, you’re better equipped to let it go or work through it. Over time, this creates space for clarity, creativity, and calm.
Simplify Your Schedule
We often confuse being busy with being productive, but they’re not the same. Overscheduling leaves little room for rest, spontaneity, or joy. Try this: take a hard look at your weekly commitments. Which ones truly nourish you? Which feels obligatory or draining?
Practice the art of the gentle “no.” It’s not selfish—it’s self-care. Build in buffer time. Protect your mornings. Create tech-free hours. The goal isn’t to do nothing—it’s to make room for the things that matter most.
Slower days allow your nervous system to reset. And in that stillness, you might find answers, insight, or even inspiration you didn’t know you were missing.
Nourish With Simplicity
Eating is another area where simplicity can be transformative. You don’t need complicated diets or expensive superfoods to eat well. Focus on whole, fresh, organic ingredients. Eat with awareness —away from screens, at a table, with gratitude. Listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
The same goes for movement. You don’t need to chase intense workouts if they don’t bring you joy. A daily walk, stretching, or a dance in your kitchen can be enough. Let go of “shoulds” and ask what feels good instead.
Simplicity in wellness isn’t restrictive—it’s freeing.
Build Simpler Relationships
Relationships thrive on presence, honesty, and mutual respect. Unfortunately, they can also get tangled in expectations, assumptions, and unnecessary drama. Simplicity in relationships means clear communication, healthy boundaries, and spending time with people who uplift you.
It’s okay to outgrow connections that no longer serve you. And it’s okay to invest deeply in a few meaningful relationships rather than spreading yourself thin. Quality over quantity applies here, too.
Embracing the Slow Life
There’s something profoundly healing about slowing down. Whether it’s sipping tea without distractions, watching the clouds roll by, or taking a tech-free Sunday, slowing down invites you to reconnect with yourself, your environment, and your purpose.
Slowness isn’t laziness. It’s attentiveness. It’s a countercultural act that says: I value my time, my well-being, and the beauty of life’s small moments.
Final Thoughts
Simplicity isn’t about deprivation. It’s about choosing peace over pressure, clarity over chaos, and intention over impulse. Now, with a world that often shouts, simplicity whispers. In that quiet, many people find healing. So, whether you’re just clearing out a drawer or rethinking your whole life rhythm, know this: every small step toward simplicity is a step toward health, inside and out.
