Minimalism is often associated with neat, tidy spaces, simple wardrobe, and lovely little houses in white and beige. But after adopting a minimalist lifestyle over the past few years, I think that minimalism can go far beyond the material values it teaches us. In a way, minimalism changed my way of life and became a part of my own philosophy.
Below are the six surprising lessons that I've learned from minimalism lifestyle:
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/blogs/turning-minimalist-life-is-simpler-but-no-less-richer/
1. Be a responsible consumer
As a young person, I used to buy the things I like without even thinking about its usefulness. And the things I buy are often the most popular, trend-following items.
However, when I was a minimalist, I practiced a lot before deciding whether to buy an item, with questions like: "Is this what I need? simply because I want to? "And if that simple answer is just what I "want," then there's no need to buy. Next, I asked myself, "If this is the right item, what benefits will it bring?" If it has few benefits and can only be used once or twice, then I will find an alternative with a similar item, or borrow it.
2. Appreciate what you have
I appreciate the things I have today. They are not only items but also the mementos, lessons that friends and my relatives give to me. In contrast, buying furniture is just temporary pleasure. When something new, we will throw away the old and continue to buy more new things. There is nothing wrong with having money and wanting to shop for yourself to look better. But instead of investing in the number of clothes you wear, buy quality clothes and try to take advantage of old items and turn them into unique DIY items. You'll be surprised at the results that you achieve.
I feel the same with social media that I spent a lot of time on it. I appreciate the likes and comments, as well as the connections I have.
Please be grateful to them, because behind likes and emoticons are people who care about what you say.
3. Love environment
Source: https://www.lifealth.com/wellness/healthy-living
When I started spending less time buying things, I had more time to think and do more essential things. One of the most noticeable differences is that I spent more time going outside, going into the forest to explore, photographing trees, and animals, or just cycling to the park to enjoy the fresh air.
Since learning this way of life, I have restricted the use of plastic bags thoroughly. When I go to the supermarket, I often bring a cloth bag instead of using plastic bags at the supermarket. With the personal trash, I also replaced with Amazon's paper box when being shipped goods online. I am aware of everything about the green lifestyle and support it. For example, I usually prefer to buy clothes made from natural materials, durable and soft cloth.
Whatever furniture you buy, consider the source, and see if it is environmentally friendly. With just such small personal actions, I have become a minimalist and bring a positive way of life to the community.
4. I trust myself
I learned not only the importance of inner dialogue with myself but also the importance of relying on my intuition. I used to follow other people's instructions to make a purchase, but now I realized that just because other people do things differently doesn't mean that's the best choice for you. Instead, I believe in my choice, because only I know what I need. I become more comfortable with making decisions, even if I regret some of them then. But that is how we learn and develop.
5. Focus on your hobbies
Thanks to the minimalist lifestyle practice, I was able to actively allocate a reasonable amount of time to focus on my hobbies and interests, such as yoga, reading books, traveling, playing piano, singing, writing, and cooking.
Try to be minimalist, and you will be surprised to witness your positive change!
6. Comparing with other people is bullshit
The minimalist lifestyle makes me no longer bother what others think of me. Remember that You and I are two independent individuals. Differences in living conditions, economic conditions, environment, and family will always make us entities that are unlike anyone. If no one is alike, comparing each other will be completely pointless. It is not necessary to pretend to be good at something you're not. Be confident of yourself, because you are different. There have to be some points that people are inferior to you.
7. Relieve stress
Source: https://paradigmmalibu.com/7-simple-stress-relief-techniques-teens/
If you own a large house with lots of items, you need to clean them very carefully. This can be a "haunting task" after you spend 8 hours of fatigue at work. How to ensure your accommodation is always clean, decent?
With a minimalist lifestyle, I always maintain the minimum amount of furniture. Therefore, cleaning the house will become much simpler and more flexible. At that time, this problem no longer made me feel stressed.
8. Less is more
Source: https://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/why-less-is-more-if-you-want-to-help-the-planet-and-yourself/
Less stuff = more space: Less material creates more space. The areas we surround can affect our lives more than we can realize. It can significantly affect your mood and feelings. Living in a clean and spacious room made me feel happier.
Less spending = more money: Obviously, when you no longer buy innocuous shopping for unnecessary things, you will save more money and save some space for long-term plans such as weddings, buying houses, and taking care of your children.
Less stress = more sleep = Healthier: Stress is known to have a negative impact on our overall health, and it is no surprise that stress can disrupt our sleep. As I mentioned above, living a minimalist life helps me relieve stress, and from there, I can sleep more and have better health.
Work cited:
Angela. "5 Surprising Lessons Minimalism Taught Me About Life." Medium, A Philosopher's Stone, 23 Sept. 2019, medium.com/the-philosophers-stone/5-surprising-lessons-minimalism-taught-me-about-life-95a82f5c0d33.
Lindsay. "5 Lessons on 'Enough' Learned from Minimalism." Treading My Own Path | Less Waste, Less Stuff, Sustainable Living, Lindsay (Treading My Own Path) Https://Treadingmyownpath.com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2019/06/Logo.png, 1 Feb. 2019, treadingmyownpath.com/2016/04/21/5-lessons-on-enough-learned-from-minimalism/.
"27 Things I've Learned About Minimalism (Sort Of)." Tiny Ambitions, 18 Nov. 2017, www.tinyambitions.com/27-things-ive-learned-about-minimalism/.
Crespo, Rebecca. "17 Reasons Why Less Is More." Minimalism Made Simple, Minimalism Made Simple, 27 Sept. 2019, www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/17-reasons-why-less-is-more.
Comments