Minimalism is a word that is thrown around frequently these days as people re-evaluate their lives and what is truly important to them. We delve deeper into the movement of minimalism and the meaning behind it.
What is minimalism?
Minimalism can appear on the surface to be so extreme. To get rid of most of your belongings and live in a house with minimal furniture. Have a wardrobe with only a few pieces of clothing and only a few treasured possessions to adorn your bookshelf, if you even have one, because you’re not allowed books right? Well, not exactly. Yes there are people who have sold, donated or disposed of 90% of their belongings and live with very few things, but they are definitely in the minority.
Overconsumption vs Minimalism.
Our culture here in the Western world is dominated by overconsumption. Advertising telling us that we all need the latest product or service to ‘keep up with the Joneses’, or the seasons newest fashion trend or cosmetic product to make us feel confident in our own skin.
An excess of cheap clothing, gadgets or household goods, making it more affordable to throw the old ones away and replace them, rather than repair. Or keep adding to your collection you already have at home, or maybe in storage. Excess is apparent in every aspect of our lives, whether that’s working long hours, huge meals and our eating habits, or an abundance of toys for your children.
A chance to slow down.
Since the beginning of 2020 when our world was turned upside down, we were forced to slow down. As a collective we have never experienced anything like it before. The virus threatened our livelihoods, our security and even our lives, and could take it all away in an instant. But it allowed us time to stop, and reassess our priorities and what is truly important to us.
No overseas holidays, no shopping at the malls, no going out with friends for dinner. What were the simple things that brought us joy in our everyday lives. Making healthy home cooked meals, having meaningful conversations with friends and family you’d been meaning to call for ages, reading that book that had been sitting on your bookshelf collecting dust.
What does minimalism look like?
Minimalism is not about having less. It’s about making room for more of what matters. More experiences rather than things. It’s about changing your mindset, and living intentionally. Being aware of what you are allowing into your life, both physically and mentally.
Minimalism is not a ist of what you should and shouldn’t own, but physical clutter is a big part of the process because it has a big impact on stress levels. Being in a room that is crowded full of belongings can feel suffocating and overwhelming. That doesn’t include the belongings we keep in storage. Which is fine if you’re moving house and need it as a temporary solution, but the majority are used by people who have no room in their house, or for possessions they rarely use. If you don’t regularly see it, you will forget about it and what’s the point of keeping it?
Australia’s self-storage industry is now worth over a billion dollars. They rely on people leaving their possessions there and forgetting about them, paying their monthly storage fees. Wouldn’t it feel better to use the item, sell it to make some extra money, or give it away to someone that would love to use it? There may be people less fortunate who can only dream of having that particular item.
Looking at alternatives to throwing things away.
We need to begin to challenge consumer habits and only invest in the essential items we need. If something breaks, can it be mended or repaired instead of being replaced? Move away from the disposable mindset and invest in the best quality item you can afford that will stand the test of time.
There’s nothing good or bad about how much stuff someone has. It’s about having things that are practical or add value to our lives, and realising that we have enough. Having fewer items that have special meaning to us will make us appreciate them even more.
‘Minimalism is the intentional promoting of the things we value most and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.’ – Joshua Becker
A chance to simplify our lives.
Minimalism is an invitation to examine areas of our lives that need simplifying. A chance to consider where our time, energy and attention goes. It’s about creating space and finding room to breathe, physically and mentally. To stop overcommitting because your time is precious.
Minimalism is not a movement but more of a mindset. It’s about living intentionally with what’s important to you, not anyone else. Everyone is unique, with different values and priorities, so your journey won’t be the same as someone else’s. For me, I value reading and learning, and love to read paperback books that I can hold in my hands and turn the pages as I go. Whereas reading them on a digital device might work better for some people and that’s ok, it just doesn’t give me the same joy.
Take action by making small changes everyday towards the life you want. Unsubscribe from those emails you don’t want to receive anymore, go paperless, start a meditation practice, turn off notifications, buy less but invest in quality, and spend more time in nature.
Find the reason why you want to simplify your life and it will always guide you to your ultimate destination.
‘Having more and more won’t solve the problem, and happiness does not lie in possession, or even relationships. The answer lies within ourselves. If we can’t find peace and happiness there, it’s not going to come from the outside.’
– Tenzin Palmo