5 Ways To Combat Anxiety with Minimalism:

It looks different for everyone.

It comes at different times for different reasons.

Today: I have anxiety.

I never used to have anxiety, but I’ve also never been so aware of the world around me. There are events I want to attend, places I want to go, and people I want to meet… but today, I have anxiety.

Where does it come from? And how can we combat it?

Anxiety comes from the enemy and is only here to destroy. It brings no joy, or hope, or happiness. Only pain. It serves no other purpose but to stop you from being who you were created to be. I heard a quote that said:

“There are two breaking moments in your life. When you were born, and the day you figure out why.”

That’s where I’m at today. I know that God has a greater purpose for my life. Meanwhile, I’m going through the motions day in and day out. I am so afraid that I am going to get to the end of my road and feel like I’ve wasted all of my creative juices on mundane & pointless activities. God gives us free will. It’s all at our finger tips – so let’s take action!

Here are some ways I have learned to combat anxiety with minimalism.

1. Spend more time with Jesus, first thing in the morning.

Spending time with Jesus minimizes the blow you will receive from the enemy. Training yourself with a foundation in Christ is how we really become strong. This is something that has made my life much more abundant, but it’s only as good as the user right? I have to make it a priority to get my butt out of the bed with only 4 hours of sleep to make sure I am seeking God! Believe me, I didn’t think I could wake up that early but God is the creator of the universe and your alarm clock. Ask and you shall receive!

2. Plan, plan, plan.

Spending time planning minimizes the future temptations, errors, and breakdowns. Whether it’s meal prep, picking out the kids clothes the night before (or the week before!), or even prepping the coffee pot to save your brain 3 minutes of decision fatigue in the morning, it’s worth it. I’m telling you, it’s totally worth it. It may seem silly at first but the difference it makes is priceless.

3. Get rid of it.

Minimizing clutter gives the brain breathing room…#fact. There are tons of minimalist tips and tricks online. Say for instance PickUpLimes 30 days to Minimalism or for my fellow moms out there, Allie Casazza’s The Minimalism Starter Kit. I will let their posts do the talking.

4. Stop agreeing to things you don’t want to do (to an extent.)

Spending more time on being intentional of what you’re doing and who you’re doing things with minimizes wasted time. There are things that you have filled your calendar with that you could have passed on. Life is way too short to be around people who are negative, suck the life out of you, or don’t bring joy to you or your family’s lives. Really think about what you say yes to, and don’t think twice about the things you say no to.

5. Meditation & Exercise.

Spending time on your mind & body will avoid future regrets, self-anxiety, brain fog, and so much more. This was such a foreign thing for me. I’m the busy bee who talks a million miles an hour, attends every event, and is everyone’s best friend. Old me though that being still meant losing traction. But let me attest, it is the total opposite. Quieting your mind is makes room for The Lord to come in and whisper your name.

 

Notice how each item started with SPENDING TIME. This all stems back to this verse:

 

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

 

I am perfect at this number of these things: ZERO.

I sleep past the alarm and cut Jesus out of my schedule.

I forget to meditate for weeks and wonder why I’m so upset.

I get off the tracks with my meal plans and exercise.

And I still hang on to items for just a few more months, before finally getting rid of them.

 

But it’s only as good as you make it. If you don’t act, you don’t receive. It’s up to you to put it into play.

Society has us all twisted. Twisted so bad it makes us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually sick and we are told “this is what everyone else does” or “a million other people in the world do it, so why can’t you.”

Guess what… you don’t have to. Because it is finished.

• John 19:30 “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

 

• Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

• Ecclesiastes 2:17 “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

You will think at the end of this…” I don’t have time to add all these things to my already busy schedule.” But what you will find is, once you put your foot down and make this a priority, you’ll never have time. You’ll never be happy. You’ll never win the game you’re playing.

Start now.

You will be amazed at how much more time you actually have to focus on the things that matter when you evaluate what’s really going on in your life.

 

With much love and blessings,

Bailey