Motherhood & Minimalism: Finding Peace in the Mess

The other day, I was scrolling through some old photos of our very first apartment as a couple. It was so simple back then—just a few mismatched pieces of furniture, some hand-me-down dishes, and lots of empty space.

Fast forward eleven years, and our house now feels like it might burst at the seams.



In one breath, I felt overwhelmed by the stuff we’ve accumulated. But then I looked around and realized something: every single item here was brought in for a reason. From the toy bins overflowing with teddy bears to the furniture now “decorated” with toddler art—each piece was meant to add joy or comfort. And honestly? I think that’s okay..

Embracing the Human Tendency to Hold

Maybe it’s just part of being human. We’re wired to gather. Even our ancestors survived by keeping what might be useful. These days, we’re not fighting off winter with a stockpile of furs and firewood—but we are drowning in laundry, art projects, and Amazon boxes.

There was a season where I thought my husband had a spending habit. But over time, I realized—he was just trying to make life smoother. He’d buy things with the best intentions: to help, to simplify, to support our family in his own quiet way.

And me? I’ve definitely caught myself thinking: If I could just declutter this house, everything would feel simpler.

But the moment I clean out a drawer, it’s like two new things magically appear in its place.

Motherhood is funny that way.

It’s a constant dance between welcoming what brings ease or joy—and learning when it’s time to let go.

Minimalism as Non-Attachment

Lately, I’ve been learning to hold our home and its contents more lightly—through the lens of yoga and its principle of non-attachment, or aparigraha.

This doesn’t mean stripping everything down or living in a house that looks like a magazine spread.
It means remembering that the things I own don’t define me.

Not the clothes that no longer fit.
Not the furniture that’s seen better days.
Not the piles of toys we trip over on our way to bedtime.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga (and the Messy Home)

Yoga isn’t just about movement—it’s a framework for living mindfully. These ancient principles remind me that peace can be found right here, even with peanut butter on the counter and a pile of laundry on the couch.

Here’s how the 8 limbs of yoga show up in my messy, beautiful motherhood:

1. Yama – Moral Discipline

Aparigraha (non-attachment) reminds me:
This house is here to support life, not be a burden. The stuff we own is meant to serve us—not the other way around.

2. Niyama – Self-Discipline

Santosha (contentment) asks me to breathe in the fullness of right now.
Even if I never find the “perfect” rug. Even if the closet is a mess. Even if this is as good as it gets today.

3. Asana – Physical Practice

The mat is where I come back to my body.
A few simple stretches can ground me after a full day of bending, lifting, wiping, and managing emotions. Asana reminds me that calm lives in the body, not the laundry room.

4. Pranayama – Breath Control

When the noise builds and the clutter feels like a second skin, breath becomes my anchor. Even two minutes of mindful breathing helps me come back to center—mess and all.

5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the Senses

This one saves me on overstimulated days.
Turning inward lets me remember: my home is noisy and cluttered because it’s lived in. That’s not a failure—it’s a sign of love in motion.

6. Dharana – Concentration

This is the quiet art of asking: What really matters today?
It helps me say no to rearranging the pantry and yes to sitting on the floor with my daughter and her crayons.

7. Dhyana – Meditation

Even just a few quiet moments help me remember that I am not my to-do list.
That stillness can exist inside me, even when my house looks like a glitter tornado just swept through.

8. Samadhi – Union

The mess will fade.
The furniture will wear.
Even the memories will soften around the edges.

But the love we pour into this home—that will ripple on. That is what lasts.

Let It Be Enough

We don’t need bare shelves to practice non-attachment.
We don’t need a silent home to find peace.

What we need is room to breathe inside our lives.

So here’s to the mismatched furniture, the art-covered walls, the lived-in joy of motherhood.
Here’s to holding everything just a little more lightly… and loving more freely because of it.

Mini Prompt for Reflection:

What’s one item in your home you can look at with fresh eyes—not as clutter, but as a reminder of what matters?.