Sometimes, I sit and just think about it—minimalism.
Not the kind that’s all white walls and empty counters. The kind that lives in the small, quiet parts of life. To me, minimalism is living on purpose. It’s paying attention. It’s choosing to see beauty in the everyday things. It’s living without the pressure to impress or explain. It’s doing things because they feel right, not because they look right.
Sometimes I smell my lover’s perfume on my sweater, and I pause. Just stand there, breathing it in. That’s minimalism to me. It's shouting “This is the best jollof rice I’ve ever had.” , after tasting the dish I made, even if nobody asked. It’s eating my eggs before my noodles, just because I like it that way. It’s giving something my full self; not halfway, not maybe.
It’s doing things just for the plot. Taking the leap before I’ve figured everything out. Letting love consume me, even when it scares me. That’s my way of living. That’s my version of full.
Why shouldn’t I wear my best perfume to stay home? What am I saving it for? Tomorrow isn’t promised. I could triple text my crush. Send a risky text, maybe they will send a riskier one back…or not. But I said what I wanted to say. I could laugh at my own joke, because I think I’m funny. And honestly, that’s enough.
I could cry over the same sad part of my favorite book for the third time this year. Because yes, I feel deeply. I could turn the music all the way up while sweeping the floor. I could take a whole day off just to kiss the forehead of someone I love. Hold his face in both of my hands at 11:30pm on a cold Friday night and say, “You are the center of my joyful days.” Because he is. And I don’t want to hide that.
I love sunrises and sunsets. The way the sun rises through my window makes me happy. And so, I try to notice it every morning. The soft, slow glow. That warmth. That’s my kind of joy. I’ll play my favorite song loud and let Noah Cyrus sing to my soul. I’ll say what I mean without filtering or watering it down because I do mean it. I’ll let my hair down and let the wind blow through it on my ride back to school. Because that feels like freedom.
I’ll throw a smile at a stranger because they need it. I’ll hug my friends without them asking because hugs are the nicest of things and everyone needs one everyday. I’ll forgive fast and love hard, not because it’s easy, but because holding on is heavier. I want light. I want peace. I believe the best is still ahead. I believe in better days. I hope. Even when things are hard.
Minimalism, for me, is not just about having less. It’s about holding on to what matters more. It’s about small joys, quiet feelings, honest moments. It’s about choosing presence over pressure.
I can live like this. You can live like this. We can do the things that make us feel alive. And grateful. And real. And happy.
That’s enough. That’s more than enough.
All images are mine