Happiness Often Comes from Removing, Not Adding

Life sometimes feels heavier when you have too many stuff pile on. I mean, we constantly chase things, new gadgets, extra responsibilities, even “perfect” habits, thinking they’ll make us happier.

But IMO, real happiness often comes from taking things away, not adding more. Yeah, it’s kinda counterintuitive, but trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve felt the relief of decluttering my space, my schedule, and even my mind. And let me tell you, it’s liberating.

So, grab a cup of coffee (or tea, no judgment) and let’s talk about how letting go can actually bring more joy than acquiring ever could.

1) Embracing Minimalism

Let’s start with minimalism, because this one’s a game-changer. I used to think minimalism meant living in a stark, boring space with nothing around. Turns out, it’s the opposite—it’s about keeping what truly matters and ditching the rest.

Here’s what I learned from adopting minimalism:

Less clutter = less stress. Every time I remove old clothes, unused kitchen gadgets, or random knick-knacks, I feel a literal weight lift off my shoulders. My brain loves open space.
Quality over quantity. Instead of buying cheap items I’d forget about, I started investing in fewer, better-quality things. My favorite hoodie, my cozy mug—I cherish these more than any impulse buy ever.
Time becomes your friend. Fewer possessions mean less cleaning, less organizing, and more time to enjoy life. I now spend weekends reading or walking outside instead of digging through piles of stuff.

The best part? Minimalism isn’t just about physical stuff. It can apply to commitments, friendships, and even mental clutter. IMO, removing unnecessary things creates a calm, focused environment that lets happiness sneak in quietly.

2) Unplugging for Serenity

Ever scroll your phone and suddenly realize three hours have vanished? Yeah, me too. Social media, emails, notifications—they all pile up and make your mind feel like a buzzing hive. That’s why unplugging is essential for serenity.

Here’s how I practice it:

Digital detox weekends. I turn off notifications, hide apps that suck my time, and just breathe. Honestly, it feels like my brain can finally exhale.
Phone-free mornings. I start the day with a coffee and a few pages of a book instead of doom-scrolling. It sets a peaceful tone for the rest of my day.
Mindful screen time. I ask myself, “Does this really add value?” before opening anything. If the answer is no, I skip it.

The cool thing? Once you unplug, you notice small joys again—birds chirping, sunlight hitting the floor, even the taste of your coffee. These little moments are way more fulfilling than scrolling endlessly. FYI, it’s not easy at first, but the calm you gain is totally worth it.

3) The Joy of Voluntary Simplicity

Here’s a truth bomb: simpler living often leads to bigger happiness. Voluntary simplicity isn’t about deprivation—it’s about choosing what really matters and saying “no” to the rest.

I started small:

Cooking simple meals. Instead of complicated recipes with 15 ingredients, I focus on meals that taste good and are easy to make. My stress about dinner disappeared.
Fewer errands. I stopped saying yes to everything. Now, I only commit to what excites me or feels meaningful.
Downsizing possessions. Not to extremes, but enough to feel free. My wardrobe got smaller, but I actually love everything in it.

Voluntary simplicity also gives space to mental clarity and creativity. I started journaling and drawing again because I had the time and energy to focus. IMO, life feels richer when you remove the nonessential clutter, rather than constantly adding more “stuff” to impress or please others.

4) Letting Go of Toxic Relationships

Oof, this one hits hard. We often hold on to people who drain our energy, but letting go can feel like a huge weight lifted.

I’ve had friends and acquaintances who constantly complained, judged, or just made life stressful. Cutting ties wasn’t easy, but here’s what happened:

More emotional energy. Instead of being anxious or stressed, I had energy to invest in positive relationships and myself.
Clearer boundaries. I realized I don’t need to tolerate bad vibes just to keep peace. Saying “no” became empowering.
Better mental health. Anxiety, resentment, and self-doubt decreased dramatically once I stopped trying to keep everyone happy.

Not everyone will understand this choice, and that’s okay. IMO, happiness isn’t about pleasing others—it’s about protecting your peace. Removing toxic relationships might sting initially, but it creates room for love, joy, and genuine connection.

5) The Power of Forgiveness

Here’s a personal confession: holding grudges used to weigh me down like a backpack full of rocks. I realized that forgiving others—or even myself—wasn’t about letting them off the hook. It was about removing the emotional chains I carried around.

Here’s how forgiveness helped me:

Emotional freedom. Letting go of resentment allowed me to enjoy moments without old anger creeping in.
Health benefits. I read studies showing forgiveness lowers stress and improves overall well-being—true story.
Better relationships. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, but it makes current connections lighter and more positive.

IMO, forgiveness is like decluttering your heart. It’s hard work, but every time I let go of old grudges, I feel lighter, happier, and more present in my own life.

6) Releasing the Need to be Perfect

Perfectionism is a sneaky happiness killer. I spent years chasing an impossible standard—my work, my appearance, my routines. And guess what? It didn’t make me happy at all.

When I let go of perfectionism:

I enjoy the process. Cooking a messy but tasty meal? Fun. A slightly imperfect project at work? Satisfying.
Stress dropped significantly. No more sleepless nights over tiny details. My mind finally relaxed.
Creativity soared. Without fear of mistakes, I experimented more—new hobbies, spontaneous trips, and even silly crafts.

Here’s a tip: embrace “good enough” and notice the freedom it brings. IMO, releasing perfectionism is one of the quickest ways to boost happiness without adding anything new.

7) Eliminating Negative Self-Talk

Self-talk is powerful, but toxic self-talk is like dragging a stone uphill every day. I used to beat myself up constantly: “You’re late, you messed up, you’re not enough.” Ugh, exhausting.

Here’s what changed when I removed negative self-talk:

Confidence grew. I replaced “I can’t” with “I’ll try” or “I’m learning.” It’s subtle, but it works.
Happier mindset. I noticed small wins instead of obsessing over failures.
Better stress management. Criticism didn’t spiral into anxiety anymore; I addressed mistakes and moved on.

Tips for removing negative self-talk:

Notice the pattern. Pay attention when your brain criticizes.
Question it. Ask, “Is this really true?”
Replace it with reality-based affirmations. Even simple phrases like “I’m doing my best” make a difference.

IMO, letting go of internal negativity is like clearing mental clutter. Suddenly, life feels lighter and brighter without adding anything extra.

8) Focusing on the Present

Finally, let’s talk about living in the now. We constantly worry about the past or future, thinking adding more plans or fixes will make us happy. But happiness often comes from removing distractions and focusing on what’s here.

Here’s how I practice it:

Mindful activities. Cooking, walking, even washing dishes—I try to notice every sensation. It’s surprisingly grounding.
Single-tasking. No more juggling ten things at once. I give full attention to one task and feel more accomplished.
Gratitude check-ins. I remind myself of small joys: a warm shower, a laugh, a good conversation. It makes life feel richer.

IMO, focusing on the present doesn’t just reduce stress—it amplifies joy. By removing mental distractions, you start to notice what actually matters, and happiness sneaks in quietly but powerfully.

Conclusion

So, there it is: happiness isn’t always about adding more things, experiences, or achievements. Sometimes, it’s about removing the clutter, the stress, the toxic energy, and the mental baggage. Minimalism, unplugging, simplicity, letting go of toxic relationships, forgiveness, releasing perfectionism, eliminating negative self-talk, and focusing on the present—they all have one thing in common: they strip life down to what really matters.

Next time you feel overwhelmed, try asking yourself: “What can I remove today that would make me happier?” Even tiny steps—like deleting a stressful app, forgiving someone, or decluttering a drawer—can create room for joy.

IMO, life feels lighter when you let go. And honestly? That’s a happiness hack worth every bit of effort.