Simplicity goes far beyond sparse closets and short sentences. Whether you call yourself a minimalist, strive for a simple life, or simply focus on the essential, you likely live or are beginning to live a life of freedom.

When I asked some well-known minimalists what the benefit of minimalism was, time and time again, they said freedom. It is the freedom to do, be, have anything or nothing at all.

• When you simplify your commitment to read everything, and give away your books, you have the freedom to go to the library or to the store and choose something you really want to read.

• When you simplify and eliminate the need to keep up with your neighbors, you have the freedom to go to the park instead of the mall.

• When you simplify your finances and pay off your debt, you have the freedom to make decisions based on something besides money.

• When you simplify your wardrobe, you have the freedom to wear clothes that fit you and your lifestyle.

• When you simplify your commitments and obligations, you have the freedom to say yes to the things that make your heart sing and no to the things that don’t.

• When you simplify your digital connection/addiction, you have the freedom to go outside anytime without your phone or your iPad.

• When you simplify and begin to understand that you don’t need much, you can travel lightly.

• When you simplify your fears, you can embrace vulnerability, soften your heart and have the freedom to clearly see that you are enough.

• When you have the freedom to see that you are enough, you can share your gifts. You can create and contribute to the world.

Decluttering and simplifying start out as a physical task, but as you transform your living space, you will transform your life. All of the tools that help you get there will become less and less important. It won’t be an overnight process. It won’t be easy, but it will become easier as you start to experience freedom.

Your simple life will not be about …

• yard sales
• counting your stuff
• decluttering
• shopping fasts
• paying off debt
• the power of one

Those things are valuable now, because they will slowly help you identify what is most important to you.