What happens when two lifestyle philosophies—Essentialism: “less is better” and Minimalism: “less is more”—collide?

Meet Eva and Mandy

Eva the Essentialist

“When you say yes to others, make sure you are not saying no to yourself." ~ Paulo Coelho

Eva has retired from the “Say Yes to Everything” club. She’s now laser-focused on her career goal: using her data science skills in health promotion. No more saying yes to every request or spreading herself thin. She’s also wise to watch for the “Paradox of Success”: the more options and opportunities come her way, the easier to lose sight of her highest contribution. So, she’s embraced Essentialism, as championed by Greg McKeown, to streamline her life and work around three core beliefs:

1. Choice: "I choose to do this, not that." (Because “that” can wait—probably forever.)

2. Priority: Only a few things really matter, and those are what she’ll focus on this year.

3. Boundaries: She can do anything but definitely not everything.

Eva now has a toolkit for cutting out the noise—both in her schedule and in her mind—and putting her energy on what truly counts. No more saying “yes” out of guilt or habit. Essentialism is her way of curating life to make space for the things that light her up. Her mantra? "If I don’t prioritize my life, someone else will."

Mandy the Minimalist

Mandy lives by minimalist principles rooted in Japanese philosophy: reduce, simplify, and resist materialism. For her, Minimalism is a lifestyle that emphasizes fewer things and more meaningful experiences. Here’s what guides her:

• Anti-consumerism: Fewer items mean less clutter (who needs four pairs of black shoes?).

• Experiences over possessions: Memories don’t gather dust.

• Contentment and simplicity: Less stuff means more peace of mind.

• Wellbeing: Clarity, mindfulness, and environmental sustainability.

After reading Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki, Mandy had her "aha" moment. She realized we all have limited capacity—brain space, time, and energy—so why fill it with things that don’t truly matter? When deciding what to keep, she asks herself two tough questions:

1. Why am I clinging to this?

2. What would someone who’s passed on want me to do with it?

Minimalism is now Mandy’s path to contentment, clarity, and a joyful rebellion against consumerism.

Grocery and Meals

Eva and Mandy have a plan for grocery shopping and cooking. Each week, one takes the shopping and cooking, while the other gets a break. In theory, it’s foolproof…until life throws a curveball. Eva, ever the pragmatist, sometimes resorts to UberEats or online grocery orders when things get hectic. Mandy, however, is committed to reducing waste—no takeout or online orders for her. She proudly sticks to home-cooked meals and keeps things simple with go-to recipes like poké bowls packed with smoked salmon, avocado slices, and pickled veggies.

Capsule Wardrobe for Eva

Eva’s capsule wardrobe is a set of versatile, timeless pieces that make mornings a breeze. Her closet is filled with high-quality, neutral basics—cotton, linen, wool—that pair effortlessly. She’s a firm believer in quality over quantity, avoiding fast fashion in favor of sustainable options that last. Decision-making is now effortless, and her wardrobe is as streamlined as her schedule.

Uniform for Mandy

Mandy takes a different approach: a “uniform” system. She’s got two pairs of jeans (one blue, one black) and three solid-colored (red, black, white) sweaters that make dressing a no-brainer. With her strict one-in, one-out rule, she’s committed to only buying replacements when something is worn beyond repair. Her wardrobe is minimal, intentional, and eco-friendly—no sales temptations or fast fashion for her.

Professional Lives

Eva and Mandy’s work lives reflect their respective philosophies.

Eva, now a Senior Research Scientist in disease prevention, is focused on creating data-driven interventions for healthier lifestyles. She’s streamlined her professional life, cutting out distractions to fully commit to her mission.

Mandy, a junior high teacher, has brought her minimalist approach into the classroom. Her changes include:

• Decluttered Classroom: Mandy keeps her classroom free of excess décor and unnecessary items. She’s noticed her students focus better without the distraction of things being moved around or tidied up constantly.

• Streamlined Assignments: She assigns only what’s necessary, still giving students plenty of opportunities to learn and reflect but without overwhelming them (or herself!) with endless grading. Mandy also empowers her students to grade some of their own work, allowing her to focus on the critical assignments.

• Simplified Processes: Mandy has minimized her classroom procedures. By using templates for repeatable tasks, cutting unnecessary steps, and reducing waste, she’s created a smoother workflow that benefits both her and her students.

• More Outdoor Activities: Mandy integrates outdoor activities into her curriculum, giving students a chance to connect with nature, recharge, and get some physical exercise.

Her minimalist approach has created a calmer, more focused learning space where her students thrive, and she can enjoy the rewarding parts of teaching.

Learning from Each Other

Eva and Mandy may have different approaches, but they’ve found common ground. Eva admires Mandy’s zero-tolerance policy for clutter, while Mandy is inspired by Eva’s ability to zero in on her goals. Both have learned that a simpler life isn’t about following a formula; it’s about knowing what matters to you and making room for it.

Both Essentialism and Minimalism offer valuable insights, and sometimes blending the two can yield the best of both worlds. Whether you’re drawn to one philosophy or happily mix them, there’s power in intentional living.

What’s Your Take?

Minimalist, Essentialist, or happily somewhere in the middle?

Or do you proudly stand by the Maximalist life?

I love to hear your thoughts and comments.

References

McKeown, G. (2014). Essentialism: The disciplined pursuit of less. Crown Currency.

Sasaki, F. (2017). Goodbye, things: The new Japanese minimalism. W. W. Norton & Company.