Minimalist Lifestyle—Here’s What to Know
What is Minimalism?
Minimalism has several meanings, some are related to art and music, and others refer to interior design and architecture, Still, others are political in nature. The dictionaries I looked at do not mention minimalism as a lifestyle choice, so I will define it in my own words. Minimalism is a lifestyle that involves living with only what is necessary for happiness, health and general well-being.
A minimalist lifestyle can be wonderful. Unfortunately, sometimes you can also experience its disadvantages. It is worth knowing about them so as not to be unpleasantly surprised.
Minimalists are the enemies of the greatest epidemic of our civilization – consumption. The obsession with having objects, living at a terrifying pace and working more and more are just examples. Minimalists come with advice on how to stop it all: don’t buy things you don’t need. And if you already have one, get rid of them.
Minimalism is about having only what you need and directing your energy to what is most important. That is, for cultivating relationships with loved ones, developing passion, caring for the health and such important things.
In the beginning, it can be difficult to change your habits, so it’s important to implement the principles of minimalism into your life in small steps. Do not look at others; many people around you will not be able to understand why you are not acting like them. Do what you really believe in, and if you believe in minimalism, just do it!
You will quickly notice the advantages that a minimalist lifestyle will give you, which will keep you motivated to act in this way in the future. Once you try a minimalist lifestyle, you’ll never go back. And that’s the journey to a better, more peaceful, eco-friendly life.
Advantages of Minimalism
Save Money – Saving money is a natural byproduct of simple living. When you see something you want, ask yourself if that item will really improve your life in the long term or if you would be better off with that money in your pocket. A trick I use is calculating how many hours I would have to work to pay for it and then considering if it is worth the labour.
Save Time – Buying less naturally means spending less, which means you can work fewer hours paying for things you don’t need. It also means that you have less stuff that you have to keep clean and organized, and you spend less time looking for things you need.
Less Debt – The “have it now, pay later” attitude has put many of us in debt, including me, and it can be a hole that is difficult to crawl out of because interest charges keep adding up and the cost of instant fulfilment can end up being way higher than ever imagined. Living a minimalist lifestyle will help get you out of any hole that you have fallen into and keep you out for good.
Peace of Mind – Thieves don’t intentionally steal from minimalists. This is not to say you will never be a victim of crime, but you will make a less attractive target than your flashy neighbour down the street. You will also sleep better if you don’t have to worry about how you will pay your bills.
Freedom – Imagine you want to sail around the world, but your boat is tied to an anchor, and that anchor is all your possessions. The more you have, the more difficult it will be to go anywhere. Owning an abundance of things is a great burden. You need space to store it, and that space is expensive. If you want to leave for an extended period, who will watch it? If you want to move you need to find a place big enough and then you need actually to move it all. The fewer possessions you have, the freer you will travel and live the life you want.
Photo by Sarah Dorweiler, Aesence
