Imagine stripping your everyday routine down to its essentials: fewer clothes in your closet, fewer objects in your home, fewer sweets in your diet, fewer toxic social connections. Yet asceticism isn’t about torturing yourself or living like a monk under a vow of poverty. From a psychological perspective, the principles of asceticism can be seen as a practical strategy for cutting out the clutter so you can focus on genuine needs and personal growth. While related to minimalism, which primarily focuses on reducing material possessions, asceticism has a broader scope, encompassing various lifestyle choices.

Asceticism in clothing might mean wearing the same type of outfit every day—like Mark Zuckerberg and others who favor a “capsule closet.” By eliminating tiny decisions such as “What matches my new pants?” or “Have I been seen in this shirt before?” you free your mind for bigger goals. If someone judges you over wearing clean but identical clothes daily, that’s their problem, not yours.

Asceticism in everyday life has a similar motive. The minimalist interior design—a few functional pieces of furniture, wide-open space, and zero useless décor—reflects the principle of sustained effort: consistent progress, even at a slower pace, ultimately leads to faster results than bursts of activity followed by burnout. This reflects the principle, “fast is slow, but without stopping.” Clinging to mountains of broken junk because you “might need it someday” only crowds your home and your mind. Reducing clutter means you won’t stub your toe on the same wobbly table every morning, and you can dedicate your mental resources to more meaningful pursuits.

Asceticism in consumption takes aim at pointless eating or buying. We grab chips or sugary drinks not because we’re truly hungry, but to soothe stress or keep our hands busy. Over time, that mindless habit floods us with chemicals and preservatives our bodies never asked for. Ascetics simplify these choices, focusing on a smaller range of healthier foods—maybe fruit instead of empty-calorie snacks—and keep sugar intake in check. They’re not forcing you to toss your favorite treats; they’ve just discovered that less junk equals more well-being.

Asceticism in information acknowledges that nonstop doomscrolling and fear of missing out (FOMO) can hijack our mental health. Excessive exposure to negative news can drain our emotional energy. Reading every dark headline or following every internet debate drains our emotional energy. By limiting news consumption or focusing only on subjects that truly matter, ascetics protect their sanity. They might unsubscribe from a few social feeds, or disable notifications for certain apps, and find themselves calmer, more knowledgeable, and less frazzled.

Asceticism in communication also counts. Why fill your days with negative people or meaningless chitchat that leaves you exhausted? Human beings are social creatures, yes, but that doesn’t mean every interaction is helpful or healthy. Distancing yourself from toxic influences can save you from unnecessary drama. Instead of expending energy on worn-out relationships or bickering with in-laws, you channel your strength into what genuinely matters—your mental health, your ambitions, and deeper, more fulfilling bonds.

In the end, true asceticism doesn’t mean hating pleasure or imposing your will on others. It’s about living consciously—knowing what you eat, wear, buy, read, watch, and whom you let into your life. You can still feast on dessert or play your favorite video game, but you’ll do it by choice, not by blind habit. You won’t demand that neighbors abandon social media or that the country ban fast food; you’ll just decide what’s right for you. And if people around you see how much calmer and more focused you’ve become, some might follow your example—no lectures required. Ascetics simply grasp that trying to do everything, own everything, and please everyone results in scattered attention and half-lived dreams. To them, trimming life’s excess means placing energy where it truly counts.

Start by dropping one small habit—a snack you don’t need or an online platform you barely enjoy—and see how much lighter you feel. You might be surprised at the freedom that awaits once you stop letting yourself get buried under unnecessary stuff. After all, if you’re happy and thriving, no one can argue with your results.