Note: This is a guest post from Erica Layne of The Life On Purpose Movement.
I discovered minimalism when my kids were young and my house was full of hand-me-downs I didn’t like and baby gear we didn’t need.
In just a few years, I had gone from the wide open blocks of time and space so common in your early twenties to an apartment that felt like it was exploding with toys, strollers, furniture, clothes, and most notably, three tiny humans who operated on one speed—loud and crazy.
Overstimulated was the name of the game. And as an introvert and a highly sensitive person, I was feeling it.
The only place in our home that felt restful to me—the only spot where I could pull myself back together—was the window view from our master bed.
I’d lie on my side, watching tree branches sway in the wind on the other side of the window, and I’d gradually feel whole again. Like my nerves had been pulled back together.
Then I learned about minimalism and realized that I could bring more of that peace, that beautiful sense of stillness I got while looking out the window, into my home.
All I had to do was get rid of a lot of stuff. (Not the tiny humans, though. I kept them.)
Are YOU an Introvert?
Introversion is the tendency to be predominantly interested in your inner life, whereas extroverts are mainly interested in what’s outside the self.
But the most recognizable difference is where we draw our energy from. Introverts feel depleted after time spent with others and need time alone—solitude—in order to recharge. Extroverts get energy from being with others.
Highly Sensitive People, a term popularized by Elaine Aron in her book The Highly Sensitive Person, are easily overwhelmed by noise, texture, smells, busyness, and even their own thoughts. They’re often sensitive to physical discomfort, violence in media, and the emotions of others.
Not all introverts are highly sensitive people, and not all HSPs are introverts, but they do often correlate.
Do you see yourself in this description?
Why Minimalism Is Especially Good for Introverts
1. An introvert’s brain chemistry is uniquely suited for minimalism.
In her book The Introvert Advantage, psychologist Marti Olsen Laney wrote that extroverts are not as sensitive to the feel-good hormone of dopamine as introverts are, which means that extroverts typically need more stimulation to register the dopamine in their brain. This contrasts with introverts, who are more sensitive to dopamine and don’t need as much of it to get a sense of pleasure.
In that case, could anyone be more suited to a minimalist lifestyle than an introvert?
Those of us who land more on the introverted side of the spectrum don’t need another concert, another sports event, another shopping trip, another girls’ night out, or another weekend away to get pleasure in our lives.
We can feel happy in a life with loads of white space on the calendar and white space on our walls.
2. Introverts are especially susceptible to overwhelm, which minimalism reduces.
Though anyone can get overwhelmed, introverts are constantly juggling both the vitality of their inner world and the busyness of the outer world. This combination—layered with how difficult it can be to get recharge time—often pushes introverts to overwhelm and burnout.
A minimalist lifestyle, where everything from a person’s schedule to the number of belongings they own has been reduced, is a perfect solution. Less clutter on the inside and the outside means less overwhelm in your daily life.
3. Introverts need a restful environment in order to recharge.
I had to get my blood drawn recently, and as I sat in the waiting room, I noticed how calm I felt despite the fact that I was about to get a needle pushed into my vein.
The waiting room was sparsely decorated, with just a couple of forest prints hanging on the walls and a single window bathing the room in natural light.
While I definitely wouldn’t choose the style of a medical office for my own home, I could see how it worked. My mind felt still, without a lot of stimulation to keep it bouncing from one thing to another.
Now that I’m more than ten years into a minimalist lifestyle, I immediately recognize and deeply appreciate any environment that allows my mind to slow down, and it’s been an unexpected joy to create that stillness in my own home by paring back our belongings and being intentional about the things that surround my family day to day.
Introverts (or extroverts who love an introvert!): What have YOU noticed about the connection between minimalism and your introversion? Has moving toward minimalism helped you feel more comfortable in your (introverted) skin?
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Erica Layne is a podcast host, mom of three, bestselling author of The Minimalist Way, and founder of The Life On Purpose Movement. She helps women build their lives on what they value most, so they can let the rest slip away—guilt-free. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
Kathy says
I love this! I had not made the connection before between being introverted and minimalism. Here is a tip I discovered recently. When I am starting to feel overwhelmed, I open doors to a cabinet that I have emptied and almost immediately I feel calmer. Funny.
Sue Bee Honey says
I am an extrovert and love to be around people but I’m also an empath, which means I tend to take on people’s emotions and situations. In my job, I love to help people and problem solve, but at home, I need my oasis, peace and quiet. I’ve down sized considerably and I’m not a minimalist, but definitely, have paired down. I can now balance for being around people with recharging my battery.
Erica says
That makes sense, Sue! I can totally see how a sanctuary would be essential for an empath. Love that awareness.
Robin Baker says
Thank you so much for this article. This describes me exactly. I have always been an introvert and prefer minimalism in both my belongings and activities. My motto is simplicity. This goes against so much of the world today that wants more stuff and more busyness. It is so nice to be understood.
Janet Gibson says
Enlightening article! Always thought I was an extrovert — until the past few years. More and more, I realize that I’m an ambivert, with a leaning toward introvert. The pandemic taught me that. I’d rather write/create in quiet in my home office. Spend time with our three dogs over many people. Just BE.
Erica says
Beautiful self-awareness, Janet! It’s so freeing to realize these things about ourselves, so we can stop beating ourselves up for things we might have once perceived as weaknesses.
Brandy M says
Yes!!!! I never really linked the two (my very introverted nature and my pull towards minimalism), but this is so me! After purging almost all of our things and living with truly only the things we love and/or need, I am so much more at peace and feel better in control of not only my space and time, but my emotions.
Erica says
Beautiful! I’m so glad this brought you some extra awareness, Brandy! Thanks for reading!
Betsy says
This is so me!!! I have a friend who’s home is her castle. Every inch of wall space is covered in needlework or art. Every table top has decor for every season. I feel overwhelmed just looking at it all. Thank you for this posting.
Niki says
Thank-you Erica. I am an introvert, and I never made the connection to minimalism until recently. We had very little growing up, and although my childhood was horrible I was calmer and had more peace. I find myself frantic now with all the clutter I thought I needed because of having nothing when I was younger. My life is by no means horrible in the way it was growing up, but I would say it’s horribly unorganized. I know I need to unclutter and find that peace again.
Judy says
Erica, I am very introverted. It’s just how I’m wired. I’m very happy with my own company and a great day for me is a blank on my calendar. I actually force myself to be around others because I know it isn’t healthy to isolate completely. Minimalism has brought me tons of comfort. I enjoy s p a c e. Thank you so much for this. I often feel “odd” since so many people I know are extroverted. Glad to know there are other introverts out there benefiting from minimalism.
Jessalynn Jones says
Great post Erica! I am an introvert and I agree with everything you said. It feels like my mind is so full that a simple environment helps me make the mess in my head something positive and beautiful. The less I own the more creative I become. The tidier my environment is the more relaxed I feel.
Melissa says
Thank you for this article. I too am an introvert but never saw the connection to minimalism. Everything you said, though, is true for me. I loved reading this.
Erica says
That’s so good to hear, Melissa! Thanks for reading, and I’m glad it rang true for you!
Sabrina101 says
Yes to this! I am an introvert and HSP. Minimalism was the key to a better Life. My Boyfriend is a „shopaholic“ so it‘s sometimes very difficult for me to stay focussed. But I‘m trying my best.
Faith Saltsman says
I have a friend who told me that minimalism is good for her mental health. I couldn’t agree more. I am at a better place mentally when I have space in my house and space in my schedule.