What Does It Mean To Be A Minimalist
Do you have to give up your standards of living to be one?
The stereotypical image of minimalism is living in a trailer home and owning only that which you need on a daily basis.
Maybe when we hear the word “minimalist”, we feel fear crawling up our toes thinking it entails giving up everything we love and value, so we hold on to everything and decide that minimalism is not for us.
On the other hand, we might find ourselves engaging in acts of seasonal decluttering that leave us feeling so refreshed after throwing away everything that doesn’t serve us anymore, so we do it every now and then to free up some space for the things we do need.
The Question is:
Can regular decluttering be somehow considered as minimalism? Or do we need to give up everything?
I used to think that minimalism is some extreme movement; one which entails sacrificing a lot of the conveniences and luxuries in our life. That is mainly why I thought maybe I am not ready to be a minimalist just yet.
It is when I moved to a new one-bedroom apartment, and was able to put everything back in its place in one day, that I realized I actually AM a minimalist. Friends and family who visited me shortly after the move all had the same remark: “It feels like you’ve been living here all your life”.
Although I have never called myself a minimalist, but thinking about it; I don’t have things I don’t need or stored away in boxes, and I am not a hoarder. So does that qualify as being a minimalist?
There Are No Rules to Minimalism
In Fact, you don’t need to become a hippy or a nomad to be a minimalist.
You don’t need to give up everything and take a drastic step into something that is so unfamiliar to you.
There are people who live this way and are happy, it’s a choice, but you don’t need to do that; it doesn’t have to be extreme.
Minimalism is not a cult either, you do not need to vow to living cheaply to be considered a minimalist or you’re out!
Minimalism is Living Mindfully
You can still be living in your house (as opposed to a trailer), and within your standards of living while needing less stuff.
Being a minimalist can mean that you own 1 pair of black shoes instead of 4. It can mean that you have 2 bedding sets instead of 3.
What’s more important than the quantity of your material possessions, is the mindset that comes with it.
Living Light DOESN’T ONLY Mean You Have Less, It Also Means:
- You do not measure your value by what you own
- You do not allow that which you own, to own you
- You value experiences more than things
- You appreciate what you have, as opposed to feeling you need more
Minimalism, in my opinion, doesn’t mean that you have to stop appreciating beautiful things and it certainly doesn’t mean that you have to live cheaply.
It is living mindfully and being aware of what you consume.
So Next Time You Buy Something, Ask Yourself These Questions:
- Do I really need this?
- If you decide that you need it, ask yourself another question: “Do I have something similar to this?
- If you have something similar but you like this even better, ask yourself: “Am I willing to give away the one I have for this”
Are you ready to start living consciously? Are you ready to emotionally detach yourself from the things you own? And are you willing to be a conscious buyer and ask yourself questions before you buy something?
If you are, then you can call yourself a minimalist and you can still appreciate beautiful things all at the same time!
Be Curious Always,
