What is minimalism and how can it make your life easier and better?
Many of us have spent the last two years surrounded by our own stuff and I bet that many of us have looked around and wondered how we accumulated all that clutter that we now have to take care of.
A little over 10 years ago I was fortunate to come across bloggers on the topic of minimalism as well as Marie Kondo and her famous book “The life changing magic of tidying up”. It transformed how I think about stuff, clutter and physical possessions and while I still own a lot of things, I have learned valuable lessons from these people who brought minimalism into the mainstream.
Minimalism can feel intimidating. Do you really just have 1 bowl, 1 spoon and 1 chair? It’s not so much about the number of things. It’s about intention and purpose.
For me the biggest lessons have been the following:
Understanding needs versus wants: do I need the new pair of jeans because my old ones are falling apart or do I want them because they’re on the ‘new season’ rack?
Challenging myself before spending money by asking why I am making a purchase and whether an item will really bring the desired effect. Am I just frustrated/sad/happy/lonely and is shopping a way to fill that void temporarily?
Thinking about the implications of my purchases and finding better ways to buy. Almost all of my every day clothing I now buy in second hand boutiques. I am fortunate that there are many such shops here where I live and it saves A TON of money. Plus, it’s better for the environment. And when I don’t need something anymore, I can return it to the same shop for someone else to use.
Appreciating space and time spent on items. How much room do I want to give to stuff in my house? Do I want walls covered in books? For some people that’s a hell yes. I love books but I don’t want to have them everywhere. Do I want every kitchen drawer bursting with gadgets and utensils or can I make do with less? And how much time am I spending managing, maintaining and moving all these things?
Worrying less about the opinions of others. I used to spend so much of my mental energy on wondering what others thought of me and - more importantly - worrying whether they thought I couldn’t afford something because I didn’t have it. By god, what a royal waste of time and energy. I simply don’t care anymore. Because I am focusing on making our home a place we feel comfortable in with less clutter and more space for us. The people who judge me for being frugal, shopping second hand and not having the latest coffee machine in my kitchen? They don’t matter enough to be let into my house (or my life).
For me, minimalism goes beyond physical items. It goes beyond having too many pens in the kitchen drawer or a closet so full you can’t see what’s in it.
Minimalism has made me questions choices more and that’s what I really gained from learning to appreciate things, to look after them, to use them until they are not usable anymore and to be selective about what and who I bring into my life.
In this week’s video I share more about this.
And here are the other two authors I mention:
