Does a Simple Life Have to Be "Colorless"?
- sharewithjasmine
- Jul 8
- 4 min read
People often talk about the importance of finding answers, but I’ve realized that the real power lies in asking the right questions. 'Wander & Wonder' is a series about that very journey: from the days of aimlessly 'wandering' through crossroads and career decisions, to the 'wonder' moments—the moments I dared to ask and begin seeking solutions to my own deepest concerns. Welcome to post #6 in the "Wander & Wonder" series, where we'll reflect on the question: Does a simple life have to be "colorless"? – Jasmine Nguyen
I am a lover of colors, of multi-styled outfits, and I always want to share my thoughts. Because of this, for a long time, I struggled with a question: Is someone like me suited for a "minimalist lifestyle"?
That was until I realized that perhaps I, and many others, had confused material "minimalism" with inner "simplicity." Gradually, I came to feel that simplicity is not an aesthetic, but a state of mind. It’s not about how I look, but about how I feel from deep within.
I think of the story of Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA. Despite being a billionaire, he lived a very simple life. When asked why, he just smiled and said, "I am who I am." I believe his simplicity didn't come from what he "lacked," but from the fact that he "didn't need" to show off to feel his own worth.
Of course, I’ve also heard a very valid argument: "It's hard to achieve inner simplicity without material minimalism." This is true for many. I’ve also found that external clutter can sometimes create internal turmoil. Owning too much can lead to decision fatigue, anxiety about maintenance, and a misguided focus on materialism. From that perspective, "material minimalism" is indeed a powerful tool for finding peace.
This perspective deepened as I entered the 35-42 age period—a phase many call a "mid-life crisis," but I prefer to call it an "opportunity for awakening." This was a time when I might have had many things I once dreamed of: a career, relationships, a closet full of colorful clothes... yet I was suddenly faced with an indescribable emptiness. The big question in my mind was no longer, "How can I have more?" but rather, "Are all these things truly making me happy?" It was then I realized that simplicity is not an external aesthetic, but an internal search for truth. Tossing out a few items couldn't fill that void if I didn't dare to confront the question: What truly has meaning for me?
Therefore, I believe that material minimalism is not the only path.
The more important question I always ask myself is probably not, "How much do I own?" but, "Are the things I own, owning me?"
I have seen people living in a room with just a few items, yet their minds were still complicated by the effort of "appearing minimalist." Conversely, I know people with closets full of colorful clothes and libraries full of books who are completely free. I think it’s because those items serve their joy and self-expression, not their anxieties or their egos. They are tools of joy, not shackles of validation.
This journey has led me to a realization that "letting go" is not just about letting go of objects, but about letting go of our own unhealthy attachments to them. Sometimes, to create more space for the soul, the things we need to release are the invisible burdens:
The expectations we’ve placed upon our own shoulders.
The fear of judgment that once stopped me from wearing the outfit I loved or speaking my true thoughts.
The old relationships or identities that no longer fit, but which I clung to out of habit.
And I always hold onto the thought that every time I bravely let go of one of these invisible burdens, I will use that empty space to fill it with peace, or a new kind of joy.
I love this quote by author Easter Lily:
"Simplicity doesn’t make you smaller, it makes you big enough not to lose yourself."
Perhaps living authentically doesn't require being simple like everyone else. We just need to be brave and mindful enough not to live as someone other than ourselves. When I am no longer swept away by unnecessary glamour, I feel I have held onto the most precious thing: my own self.
In this era, I believe that is a priceless asset. Because no matter how advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes, it will never be able to replace what makes us human: a heart that knows love and empathy, a mind that knows creativity and reflection, and a spirit that knows aspiration, collaboration, and how to rise up.
Therefore, let us choose to learn and become truly human through each stage of our lives. For me, "living simply" is how I practice this. It is the journey of filtering out the external noise to hear the inner truth more clearly.
It is the courage to declutter not just the closet, but also the mind, to make space for a reflective mind.
It is the courage to refuse fleeting glamour to protect the warmth of a loving heart.
And it is the courage to live authentically, to give wings to an ever-aspiring spirit.
To hold onto myself, in this vibrant summer of my life.
Comments