The Freedom of Minimalism: From Cluttered Chaos to Serene Simplicity

For most of my life, I equated possession with value and worth. Rooms in our house were a testament to this belief, overflowing with items that were seldom used but always present. Growing up with a mother who had hoarding tendencies was like living inside a time capsule, each object a tangible memory, a relic of the past. But over time, the weight of these possessions began to feel more oppressive than comforting. It took a personal journey to understand the psychology behind my mother’s attachment and to embrace the liberating philosophy of minimalism.

1. Living in a Time Warp

As a child, every corner of our home felt like an archaeological site. There was a story behind each object, often nostalgic tales of days gone by. But as I grew older, I began to feel stifled by the sheer volume of ‘memories’. The physical clutter transformed into emotional clutter, causing anxiety and a sense of being perpetually trapped.

2. The Psychology Behind Hoarding

Hoarding, at its core, is often a response to trauma or significant emotional events. For my mother…