When I saw this topic, I felt an instant connection. This is because it spoke deeply to my own life and how I have come to see and appreciate the beauty in having less. I couldn’t wait to write about it because it resonates with and also describes a part of me that I have grown to embrace with peace and satisfaction. Of course, this wouldn’t be true for others because not everyone would find joy in something like this, but for me, I have learned to value absence.
This isn’t about who I am; it is not because I am an introvert, but because something like this has shaped my personality right from a young age, and I’m used to it already.
Something is calming about space, about allowing life to breathe. I don’t like the presence of too much around me. When everything becomes too crowded, when there is noise, clutter or the endless demands of the world, it begins to irritate me, choke me, and before I know it, my emotions are affected. I suddenly become aggressive, and even the smallest thing frustrates me; in the end, I feel weak and run out of energy. This situation leaves me feeling directionless and without focus on what truly matters.
Having too many things - be it physical possessions, relationships, or even thoughts feels like I am carrying unnecessary weight on my shoulders and need someone to bring them down. I don’t like burdens or anything that causes unnecessary stress because they distract me from what’s essential. So, with this and knowing how important my peace of mind is, I learned to appreciate the quiet that comes when everything unnecessary is gone.
To me, what remains after everything is gone is peace. The kind of peace that sits gently in the heart and allows me to hear myself again. Life itself is chaotic. This is because we are surrounded by noise that comes at us every day and nonstop. Whether it’s the expectation from others, social media comparisons, endless to-do lists and the rush to prove ourselves to the world. The truth is, it’s easy to be caught up in all of these until we forget who we truly are or what actually brings joy to us.
The world will tell you that having more is better and that success means abundance - so far, this is how the world has measured success, but for me, and after years of learning from experiences, I have discovered that true abundance lies in simplicity.
When I began to cut down things that didn’t serve me - those unnecessary commitments, conversations that drain the hell out of you and in the end, nothing to show for it, and the emotional baggage that comes with them, I started to feel much lighter. I stopped saying yes to everyone and everything for my sanity, and I allowed myself to sit in silence.
It felt strange at first, but after a while, I got used to it, and so far, this has helped me feel better and focused on what matters. Slowly, I began to see that absence doesn't mean emptiness; it’s about making space for peace, clarity and gratitude. I would add again that what remains after everything is gone is a clearer vision of who I am and what truly matters.
I know reaching that place wasn't easy; in fact, I found myself being tempted to go back to my past self. Still, with strong determination and realising how peaceful it is to enjoy that moment, I kept going, taking little steps each day until I learned to let go without feeling guilty, to say no without letting fear control me and to choose quiet over chaos. And when I finally got there, it made sense to be free, and the feeling that came after felt beautiful. There’s beauty in waking up to stillness, in having fewer distractions and being myself.
Here is my advice to someone out there feeling overwhelmed: do not go too hard on yourself; take things slow and easy. It doesn’t have to get difficult at all. You don’t have to fix everything at once. This is why taking it step by step is important. There’s joy in releasing things bit by bit until what’s left are the things that bring meaning to your life.
When your mind feels crowded, shut out the noise and step away from the world's chaos. This might come from outside or from within; whichever one it is, learn to embrace the quiet moment. Focus on the small, quiet joys around you. It might be taking a cup of tea in the morning, looking out the window to see the birds flying freely and the sky’s blue and white colour, taking a walk outside, or even taking a deep breath, and these simple things bring peace to your mind, reminding you that you are still here.
One thing you should understand is that absence is a teacher that teaches us that peace isn’t found in having everything, but in learning to let go of things that bother us and leave us feeling empty within.
Images are mine
