What many of us crave—and lack—is simplicity. In a world cluttered with trivialities, it promises serenity and purpose. Ironically, the internet is overflowing with content about simplicity, but mostly about organizing documents or preparing meals. They mistake simplicity as actions to take instead of a philosophy to follow. The journey towards a simpler life begins with understanding what we truly seek: a sense of meaning in an era in which limitless options make us cynical about the value of anything.
The modern world holds a ruinous contradiction. While individual growth requires patience and discomfort, wealth comes from supplying fast pleasures. For example, an app like Instagram, which operates under the façade of connecting people, has addictive features that hurt our mental health (viz. infinite scrolling and shorts). Or advertisements that promise a loving relationship through a watch or a shirt. We keep trying to draw water from an empty well. They aim at generating wealth, not well-being.
We want the same things we wanted back when we dwelled in caves: to feel meaningful, to contribute, to love, and to be loved. These are challenging to attain and often cause pain. Luckily, we have shadow versions of them that are much more accessible. Instead of facing our insecurity, we can shop at Amazon; instead of building our business, we can play video games; instead of talking to that cute girl, we can watch pornography.
Simplicity is not about owning fewer clothes or saving money; it is about having the freedom to pursue what is meaningful to us. A simpler life is one where everything has a purpose. From a shirt to a person, everything aligns toward fulfillment. We begin once we pause to ask: “Does this contribute to my life?”