Minimalism....
It. Is. Not. A. Competition.
In today's world where there's so much information at our finger tips, it can be overwhelming to navigate a new lifestyle change. I just wanted to point out some points that I think are important to remember when simplifying your life and becoming a minimalist.
Never lose sight of who you are. Remember that the goal is to be happy and not burdened by possessions and debt. When 'minimalizing', you are trying to rid yourself of the stress and anxiety that accompany maintaining a life of excess. This is a personal journey. You should not concern yourself with other people and their journeys and you should not aim to please some invisible standard set by someone to determine if you are a good enough minimalist.
Minimalism like any other movement, brings a group of like-minded people together. So it's definitely no surprise that generally, these people would have other things in common as well. many minimalists are vegan, and many enjoy more simple forms of exercise like running, cycling, and yoga.Do not feel like you need to be part of 'the club'. If these are not things you enjoy, then don't do them. do not begin to clutter yourself with activities and habits that do not bring you joy (I see that as a huge step in the wrong direction). Instead do things you enjoy, maybe it's art or it's reading. whatever your passion is, you should follow it, because it is part of what makes you YOU.
I have noticed some common themes among minimalists who share advice on their various social media platforms. Many suggest that getting rid of collections is an important step. books, music, movies, and art all take a hit from minimalists all over. People suggest audiobooks or ebooks over their physical counterparts, and the same goes for music and video libraries. It is my personal belief that the value of an item cannot be determined outside of yourself, it is a personal decision.
I grew up surrounded by books and I love reading. I am the type of person who will reread the same book once a year, every year, and thoroughly enjoy it. Physical books to me are a wonderful thing; they are a source of adventure, relaxation, intrigue.... not anxiety, stress, or any of the negative feelings I associate with clutter. To me, books are NOT clutter, neither are your favorite paintings, television shows on DVD etc. Now that's just me, you may feel completely differently about these same items. that's where individuality comes in. When deciding what to keep and what to purge, it is important to think of it as your own tailor-made journey and not just strive to reach a certain number.
Speaking of numbers.....
This brings me to another are of minimalism that I simply must address, and that is the capsule wardrobe.
Don't get me wrong, I love the idea and have given it serious consideration. However, I've seen it done beautifully and also seen the exact opposite. The internet is overflowing with similar (practically identical) monochromatic capsule wardrobes that boast smaller and smaller collections. Like I mentioned, this can be done beautifully and is perfect for certain lifestyles. It is NOT a must have for every minimalist. If you are someone who enjoys pulling from their entire wardrobe every season, then maybe a capsule would be too restrictive and actually add stress to your life. Maybe you need some color, maybe you need a separate capsule for work and personal time, maybe you need a special events capsule. You know yourself, take the guidelines handed to you by your favorite blogger and adjust it to fit your life and your style.
Remember that it is always fine to see something, admire it, and respect it from a distance. To many minimalists, there is value in experiences and not possessions. I can respect that point of view, but maybe the most valuable experience to YOU is owning a nice home, the car you always wanted, and decorating it nicely. In this lifestyle you get rid of the excess things that are weighing you down, and you determine what is in excess.
I think that minimalism is less about the things you give up and more about the things you value and keep.
If you want to hear (and see) me talking about these points and more, click the video below.
Enjoy. Be Healthy. Be Happy
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