Essentialism

Essentialism.

“The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials.”

Lin Yutang

I’m reading an interesting book by Greg McKeown entitled, Essentialism. This philosophy is based on the German principle of Verchitz, which basically means “less but better.”

Today it appears that minimalism is all the rage, and while this may apply to our possessions, Essentialism has more to do with our choices, activities and priorities. 

McKowen states, “Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done.”

Interestingly I was reading an article recently about the grocery chain Aldi, and learned that this Essentialism model of Verchitz is why Aldi is set up the way it is. 

If you have never shopped at Aldi you will probably find it very different from what you are used to. It is designed around the idea of simplicity and frugality, which are actually two of my favorite things. 

According to the article, “It all boils down to setting a goal and getting rid of everything else.”

Aldi carries a limited number of products, but basically they have all the essentials. Their prices are kept low because of the streamlined efficiency of their store. You will be amazed at how quickly they can check you out, but be prepared to not only bag your own groceries, but to be blown away at the low cost you will pay the cashier. 

Their prices are low, but they do not skimp on quality when it comes to their food. They have eliminated anything that gets in the way of providing a simple grocery shopping experience at a good price. 

We can take this philosophy of Essentialism and apply it to our own lives. Instead of allowing ourselves to be pulled in every direction doing nothing with much finesse, we can “invest in fewer things” that “matter most.”

In life we are often bombarded by too many choices.  Just like, Aldi, if we keep our choices more manageable then we might not succumb to “decision fatigue.” 

Learning how to keep the essentials, and to eliminate the things that really don’t matter  can lead to a simpler more satisfying life for many. It’s not just about cleaning out your closet, rather take a closer look at the activities you have included in your day to day life. 

What is nonessentials can you eliminate?