You might be thinking, “Why if this being a health and wellness space am I talking about minimalism? It’s unrelated!” I will say that this was my perspective for a time, and now it has completely shifted.
To be healthy, we need both inner and outer minimalism. And you might wonder why? Because with order, the mind structures itself better, and the feeling of CHAOS doesn’t appear. CHAOS will hyperactivate your nervous system, with the sympathetic system being more active than the parasympathetic one, so you won’t be able to enter repair mode as often or effectively. If we create order and stability and reduce overall stimuli within our surroundings, it is easier to feel peace, tranquility, and security within.
Minimalism is a movement and a lifestyle that advocates for simplifying and minimizing material possessions, distractions, and commitments in order to focus on the essential and find a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction in life. In essence, it’s about eliminating the superfluous to make room for what truly matters.
Minimalism has a long history, and you might now be familiar with it thanks to the Netflix documentary “The Minimalists,” where Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, known as “The Minimalists,” introduce us to the minimalist movement.
Throughout the documentary, they share their own personal transformation story, where they left behind successful careers and materialistic lives to embrace a simpler and more meaningful lifestyle. They share their experiences, challenges, and the benefits of adopting minimalism in their lives.
In the film, they explore topics related to excessive consumerism, the culture of ownership, and the constant pursuit of more, contrasting them with the idea that true happiness can be found in the quality of experiences and relationships rather than the quantity of possessions.
Have you ever stopped to think about how many years you’ve been saying, “Once I get this, I’ll finally be able to rest and be happy,” and then when you achieve that goal, you keep pursuing something else without stopping? There’s always something more we want to achieve to be happy, but ironically, that moment never arrives because once we’ve achieved what we wanted so much, we forget about it and think about something else we want more than what we’ve already obtained.
That’s why the minimalism movement can be a response to the dissatisfaction and constant quest for more in modern life. It offers a perspective on how simplifying our lives can lead to greater happiness, satisfaction, and a deeper connection to what truly matters.
Here are the key aspects of minimalism:
- Simplification: Minimalism involves simplifying all aspects of life, from material possessions to personal relationships and daily activities. It aims to eliminate excess and the unnecessary. If you take a moment to think about how many things you’ve bought that you’ve only used once, you’ll be amazed. In the documentary, one of the protagonists packed up all the items in his house and only unpacked the ones he truly needed. The rest, he donated. When this happens, you realize that in your daily life, you only need about 10% or less of what you have.
- Focus on the Essential: By reducing distractions and worries, minimalism allows you to focus on what truly matters. This can include personal goals, meaningful relationships, and activities that bring value and satisfaction.
- Reduced Consumption: Minimalists tend to buy less and be more mindful of their purchases. They prioritize quality over quantity and avoid accumulating unnecessary material possessions. Check your Amazon shopping list for the past month and calculate how much you’ve spent. Sit down first; you might be in for a surprise!
- Stress Reduction: By simplifying life, minimalism can reduce stress and anxiety. Fewer financial worries, fewer decisions to make, and less physical clutter can lead to greater peace of mind.
- Increased Freedom: With fewer possessions and commitments, some people find they have more freedom to make decisions and live life according to their personal values and desires.
- Sustainability: Minimalism often aligns with environmental sustainability as it involves reducing consumption and minimizing ecological impact.
- Emotional Well-being: By simplifying relationships and eliminating toxic ones, minimalists can experience greater emotional well-being and satisfaction in personal relationships.
- Time Prioritization: Minimalists value their time and seek to spend more of it on activities that bring joy and meaning, rather than on superficial or unsatisfying pursuits.
It’s important to note that minimalism is a personal philosophy and can manifest in different ways for different people. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to minimalism, and each individual can adapt this approach to their own life according to their needs and personal values. I might choose to adapt it to my personal values, and you to yours, which is why I never define myself with any one word but simply as a guide when discovering my own style, which tends to be a collection of concepts from many different trends!
Let me give you some tips to start applying it right away from the comfort of your home, gradually and effortlessly. If you feel better after a month, why not continue?
- Step 1: Reflect on why you need minimalism in your life. Before embarking on your journey toward minimalism, think about the reasons you want to simplify your life. Are you overwhelmed by the accumulation of things? Are you looking for more time and space for what truly matters? Understanding your motivations will help you stay focused throughout the process.
- Step 2: Commit to getting rid of one thing every day that you don’t use or need. Starting on day 1 of the month you choose, commit to getting rid of one thing that you don’t use or need every day. It can be objects, clothes, books, or other items that no longer hold value in your life. Decide whether you’ll donate, recycle, or responsibly dispose of them.
- Step 3: Begin on the 1st day of any month. Decide to start your minimalism challenge on the 1st day of any month that suits you. It doesn’t matter when you start; what’s important is your commitment to the process.
- Step 4: Don’t buy anything for a month that isn’t strictly necessary for survival. During the month you’ve chosen for your minimalism challenge, make a commitment not to make any purchases of items that are not essential for your survival. This means avoiding impulse purchases and only spending money on basic needs like food, water, healthcare, and other essentials.
- Step 5: Keep track of the money you save during that month without making any purchases. Keep a record of all the money you save during the month when you abstain from unnecessary purchases. You can use an app or a spreadsheet to track your expenses and compare them to your previous spending habits.
- Step 6: Start mental minimalism by dedicating 10 minutes to meditation every day. In addition to simplifying your material possessions, dedicate 10 minutes a day to meditation. This will help reduce stress, clear your mind, and keep you focused on your minimalism goals.
Remember that minimalism is a personal journey, and there’s no one right way to do it. As you progress on this journey, continue to assess your progress and adjust your goals as needed. Over time, you may experience a simpler, more meaningful, and conscious life. Good luck on your path to minimalism!
Lastly, let me provide you with several resources if you’re interested in taking a look before diving into minimalism!
Books:
“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” by Marie Kondo – While not a minimalist book per se, it offers practical tips for organizing and simplifying your possessions.
“Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg McKeown – Explores how simplifying and focusing on the essential can lead to a more meaningful life.
“Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism” by Fumio Sasaki – A personal account of a man’s transformation toward a minimalist lifestyle and how it positively impacted his life.
“Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More” by Courtney Carver – The author shares her story of simplification and offers practical advice for simplifying your life.
“Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World” by Cal Newport – Explores how digital minimalism can help reduce distraction and dependence on technology.
Documentaries:
“Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things” (2016) – As mentioned earlier, this documentary features “The Minimalists” and explores the lives of people who have adopted a minimalist lifestyle.
“Less Is Now” (2021) – Another production by “The Minimalists,” this documentary delves into the relationship between consumerism and the pursuit of happiness, and how minimalism can be a response.
“Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” (TV series, 2019) – While not a documentary, this Marie Kondo television series demonstrates how to apply her principles of organization and simplification in everyday life.
“Consumed” (2011) – This documentary follows a family as they confront the challenges of their consumeristic lifestyle and seek to simplify their lives.
“The True Cost” (2015) – While not exclusively focused on minimalism, this documentary examines the impact of the fast fashion industry and overproduction on the environment and society.