Embracing Essentialism: A Guide to Simplifying Your Life and Prioritizing What Matters

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the endless demands on your time and energy? If you are anything like me, I enjoy crossing off items on my to-do list. Not sure why, but it gives me a hit of dopamine. I used to be excited for a jam-packed calendar.

But as a life coach for women over 50, I’ve realized: What if we could achieve more by doing less? That’s the core idea of Essentialism. A concept I believe is especially powerful for women in midlife.

We have a choice of what goes on our calendar...what will the trade off be?

I just finished the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown and have been diving into its message for over a week. I’ve been reflecting on how an essentialist lives and how to incorporate more of this into my own journey and the lives of my clients.

The Core Idea of Essentialism

Essentialism is about the disciplined pursuit of less, but better.

It’s not about doing less just to be lazy or disengaged; it’s about eliminating the non-essential so we can give our best to what truly matters.

Imagine your life as a closet. Over time, it gets filled with clothes, shoes, and accessories. Essentialism is like cleaning out that closet and keeping only the items you love and use regularly.

What if you went through your commitments and crossed off the things you truly didn’t need or want to do? Maybe that means saying no to being on the HOA decorating committee or skipping the second book club.

As a life coach for women over 50, I guide clients through this type of decision-making all the time. Essentialists understand that with every “yes,” we are also saying “no” to something else. Choose intentionally.

The Power of Choice

One of the most empowering lessons of essentialism is this: You always have a choice.

Many women over 50 feel stuck in routines that no longer serve them, out of guilt, habit, or fear of disappointing others. But essentialism teaches us that we can reclaim our time and energy.

McKeown shares a story about dreading enrolling his son in baseball. When he finally voiced his hesitation to his son, the child simply said, “That’s fine.” So many of us assume others will be disappointed when often, they won’t.

This mindset shift is key to the work I do as a life coach for women over 50: helping clients recognize that they’re allowed to choose what aligns with their values, not just everyone else’s expectations.

The Trade-Off Concept

Every decision is a trade-off. If you say yes to working late, you might be saying no to rest, connection, or your own priorities.

Essentialism encourages us to acknowledge those trade-offs.

When I coach women over 50, we often uncover how many small "yeses" have quietly built a life of overwhelm. But when they learn to evaluate trade-offs intentionally, they find freedom and clarity.

The Power of Focus

Focus is everything.

When we spread ourselves too thin, our impact becomes diluted. But when we pour our energy into fewer, high-impact areas (our health, purpose, family, or creative dreams) we experience results that feel deeply fulfilling.

This focus is something I continually help women over 50 refine as a life coach. You don’t need to do it all. You just need to do what matters most.

Practical Steps to Becoming an Essentialist

Becoming an essentialist doesn’t happen overnight especially if you’ve spent decades putting others first. But it is possible to start now.

Start by:

• Assessing your current commitments and identifying which ones truly matter.

• Saying no to requests that don’t align with your priorities.

• Creating space in your schedule for rest or reflection. Whatever suits you.

• Regularly reviewing and adjusting your focus to stay aligned with your goals.

As a life coach for women over 50, I help clients take these small but meaningful steps to create a life that reflects who they truly are, not just who they’ve been for others.

In Closing

Adopting essentialism can transform how you live, work, and feel. For women over 50, it’s a powerful way to reclaim time, reduce stress, and find joy in midlife.

I only wish I had read this 25 years ago but it's never too late to live with intention.

And if you're ready to simplify your life and prioritize what matters, consider working with a life coach for women over 50, someone who’s been where you are and can guide you forward.

You deserve this clarity.

— Janie