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Just when the world was moving on from its obsession with minimalism, another ‘ism’ seems to have caught everyone’s fancy. They’re calling it ‘essentialism’. But what’s the big hooha really? Is it a passing fad or does it have something of value to offer? In this article, I’m going to share what essentialism decluttering is all about and how my experience with it has been so far.
I’ve never claimed to be a minimalist. Growing up, I’ve struggled with hoarding. Recently, I’ve been working at cultivating more awareness and acceptance of this in my life. Part of that has been about focussing my intention on what adds value to my life, rather than obsessing about what I need to eliminate. In other words, I’d been somewhat practicing essentialism, I just didn’t know it yet.
Confused? Let’s start with answers to some simple questions.
What is Essentialism, Really?
Essentialism, in its recent context, and as propounded by Greg McKeown, is a philosophy that encourages focusing on what is truly important and eliminating distractions.
It has gained popularity through Greg McKeown’s book “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,” where he argues that by doing less but better, we can achieve greater satisfaction, precision and success.
At its core, McKeown’s Essentialism is about prioritizing the things that matter most and letting go of the rest. It challenges the modern tendency to accumulate more—whether it’s tasks, responsibilities, or possessions—and instead advocates for a life that is purposefully and selectively designed around your core values and priorities.
Effectively – it means less meetings, less distractions, less possessions, less time doing the things that don’t add value to your life.
The Connection Between Essentialism and Decluttering
If it isn’t already obvious, essentialism’s focus on eliminating what you don’t need – is textbook decluttering. The idea behind essentialism decluttering is to keep only those items that serve a purpose, thus simplifying your daily life and reducing decision fatigue.
Over years and years, my closet had been accumulating things for imaginary, ‘just-in-case’ scenarios – making the process of getting dressed stressful rather than enjoyable. Waking up and opening a closet bursting at its seams, where I can’t seem to find what I need when I need it – would just leave me irritable and angry. That pent up anger and disappointment with myself is what I’d carry with me, somewhere at the back of my head, for the rest of the day.
Few years back I finally decided to face what I’d been putting off. I decided to take stock of what I actually had in my closet. Consciously, I focussed on what I wanted to keep. Clothes that align with my lifestyle, my mental state, my current idea of style. Slowly, I learnt let go of stuff from my closet. Stuff that made me look or feel uncomfortable, stuff I held on to just because I’d spent money, stuff I held on to just for the memories.
Like I said, I didn’t know it was called essentialism back then, but if I think about it that really was what it was. Keeping things that really matter to me.
It might seem like minimalism, but to me essentialism doesn’t come with the added pressure of living with less. It seems to focus more on what is important, rather than on what needs to go. To me, that feels a little less overwhelming and a little more purposeful.
How Essentialism Can Help Clear Out Your Closet
Identify Your Priorities
The first step in applying essentialism to your closet is to assess your priorities. What your lifestyle like? What are your everyday non-negotiables? What kind of clothes are you going to need? If you work in a corporate environment, your wardrobe needs will differ from someone who works from home or in a creative field. Define the essential pieces that support your lifestyle and focus on those.
My focus is on comfortable, quality work pieces that I can mix and match. Key workout clothes – and extra comfy clothes I can lounge in at home. Clothes that are occasion-wear are not priority so that’s where I declutter more or buy less.
Quality Over Quantity
Essentialism encourages investing in high-quality items that last longer and are more sustainable. Instead of having multiple mediocre pieces, opt for a fewer clothes with great fabric and fit.
Back in my days in college I used to pride myself on finding the best deals while shopping. My closet was full of ‘trendy’ clothes bought from fast fashion stores that would hardly last two years. I’m still stingy – but I focus much more on buying quality fabric even if I have to shell out extra for it, because I know it’s going to last.
Embrace the Joy of Less
Trust me, letting go of stuff you no longer need can be so, so liberating. Essentialism talks about how when you eliminate the non-essential, you make room for what truly matters.
It will take some courage, but to feel that joy and freedom – discard clothes that no longer fit, clothes that are not your style anymore, or simply don’t make you happy. Keep stuff you truly love and wear regularly. I learnt that when you have less in your closet (and your life), you actually enjoy what you have much more.
Organize Mindfully
Once you’ve pared down your wardrobe,organize it to support your daily routine. Organize clothes by category and frequency of use. Add storage solutions to make everything visible and accessible.
All this will ensure your wardrobe stays clutter-free for longer and you can save time to focus on other things that matter in your life.
Benefits of an Essentialist Wardrobe
Less Decision Fatigue
Fewer choices means less time deciding what to wear and more time for things that give you joy
Increased Clarity and Focus
Essentialism decluttering helps you remove unnecessary stuff from your closet. So you can better focus on refining your personal style and pieces you’d like to invest in.
Sustainability
By buying less and choosing quality over quantity, you contribute to a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle.
Greater Joy and Satisfaction
Owning only what you love brings a sense of joy and freedom. Your mindset shifts and you start to value and appreciate what you own much more – and make intentional choices that further bring gratification.
At the end of the day, essentialism is more than just a decluttering method, it’s a philosophy that can add value and intention to many areas of your life. I’ve started to dabble with it and practice some of its core principles (especially the bit about less meetings!)
Would love to hear from you – have you heard of essentialism before? Do you think it can help you with your wardrobe woes? Comment below!
Looking to declutter your wardrobe from scratch? See this article for a step-by-step guide to declutter your closet in a weekend.
