Minimalism 101

What Is Minimalism?

Minimalism is figuring out what is essential and is adding value to your life and what isn’t. Might sound simple, but as human beings, this is always an uphill battle. As we get caught up with the daily routines of life, we often forget to filter out the things that have utmost value and those that don’t. We get accustomed to what society wants and end up losing our values or even never get in touch with them in the first place. Our schedules get crowded, which in itself is exhausting; we buy things we barely need, stay glued to our social media with fears of getting left out of the world’, when it’s evident that we want to stay in and chill. Minimalism then comes in as a way of making conscious decisions and having a life that has intent opposed to having it all pile-up or others having their say on how or when to live your life.

I Thought Minimalism is About Getting Rid of My Possessions?

No, this is not the case. Things you own aren’t just things. They represent something. It can be history, aspirations, habits, or even values. Take the case of a widow letting go of her ring. To a bystander, it’s just a ring but to her it represents her life shared with a significant other. Looking through your things and doing away with things that don’t have a place in your life always brings in the sense of therapy. Our state of living is a direct representation of where we are psychologically. Evidence from psychological research shows that we need a clutter-free environment to feel well rested and tranquil.

Why Get Rid of My Stuff? I Love My Stuff.

Minimalism isn’t always about the numbers. It’s also not about owning as little as possible or doing the bare minimum. It’s about doing and having what you need. Being a minimalist can have different interpretations to different people. What you consider appealing, someone else might find repelling. The common misconception about minimalism is that it’s about having less. The goal with minimalism is getting rid of the bad stuff and bad energy and bringing in things that appeal to your inner self.

So, How Can I live a Simple Life?

Become inquisitive. Ask yourself what puts of happiness in your life. Who are the people that are actively adding some value in your life and who isn’t? Do you have something you want to make time for? Here are some things to look into:

What are the 4-5 most important things in your life?

What part of your day do you look forward to and why?

What emotions does your living space give you?

What is the standout piece of your living space?

Do you have time to do things for fun?

Which commitments have actual value in your life?