HEALING

Have you ever felt like the things you own are actually owning you?

I used to live in a state where my mind and surroundings were a chaotic mess. I was a true "hoarder." Not just old shoes and nameless souvenirs, but I also hoarded dusty memories and endless thoughts. I used to believe that keeping things would bring me peace of mind, but the reality was quite the opposite. Everything just accumulated, turning into an invisible pressure that exhausted me and trapped me in a cycle of overthinking – thinking too much but solving very little.

The turning point

Things only began to change when I accidentally read a book about minimalism. Those pages weren't just about getting rid of things; they were about freeing the soul. I realized that: To heal, sometimes we don't need to add, we need to subtract.

I began my journey of "self-simplification" starting with the most tangible things. I confronted my overflowing wardrobe, shoes I rarely wore, and a kitchen full of unnecessary items. Each item I removed prompted me to question its true value. As my living space began to breathe, I realized something miraculous: I no longer had to rack my brains trying to figure out how to organize it. The lightness of the space began to seep into my mind.

When thinking is also "cleaned up"

Cleaning the house is only the first step. The real revolution lies in rebuilding my mindset. I learned to simplify my thoughts. I began to realize I had been burdened with too many goals that didn't belong to me – other people's standards, the expectations society imposed on me.

I decided to let go of those "borrowed goals" to focus on what's truly essential:

• Living in the present: Stop dwelling on the past and worry less about the future.
• Listening to my body: Understanding my energy and emotions each day.

When I simplified my demanding expectations of myself, I found myself healing from within. My energy was no longer scattered, and my emotions became more stable than ever.

Peace amidst the turmoil

Currently, I'm in a phase that many consider difficult: I'm looking for a new job. If it were my old self, I probably would have been overwhelmed by panic, self-doubt, and negative thoughts. But thanks to my journey of self-simplification, I'm embracing everything with a completely different mindset.

I am 38 years old this year. Having lived almost half my life on a long journey filled with experiences and ups and downs, I must honestly admit that only now have I truly "touched" the peace I've been searching for. Some might say that starting minimalism and letting go at 38 seems a bit late. But for me, each passing year has been a necessary accumulation—even if that accumulation once exhausted me with overthinking and nameless chaos. I don't regret realizing this at 38, because those years of carrying heavy burdens have helped me appreciate the lightness of the present more than ever. At an age when most people are busy building, I chose to step back, clean up, and refine. I've realized that healing has no deadline, and it's never too late to start a streamlined, peaceful life.

Although the road ahead is not easy, I find my current life much easier. I understand that being unemployed is just a necessary "pause" to better prepare for the next stage. I no longer pressure myself to achieve this or that immediately. Instead, I enjoy self-care, managing my energy each day, and trusting in my own progress.

Minimalism isn't about living in deprivation, but about living fully with what truly matters. When we learn to let go of unnecessary burdens, that's when the healing process truly begins.

Are you ready to clear out your mind's "storage" and begin your healing journey?