Minimalism has received much attention lately. From people choosing to live in tiny house to choosing to live very simply. It has been put down as living “poor”. Many just do not seem to understand.
First, my Dad was raised under the poverty line much of his first 18 years. Even through he was raised in a financially challenging environment, he never would have described it as “poor”. Poor is a state of mind. Broke is a state of the pocket book. There are many examples of famous individuals that grew up “poor”. Most – if you really take to them would ultimately confess they grew up broke.
Living minimalistic does not mean living “as if you were impoverished”. Living a minimalistic lifestyle – from household to the car you drive – ultimately means you have more freedom. It also means that you are not encumbered by a lot of “things”. How often does that “retail therapy” trip make you happy beyond the first day?
Living “attached” to a lot of “things” will create a lot of misery for people. Being happy has been defined by being free of attachments. So how much of the “things” you are holding on to, are preventing you from being happy? Or at least as happy as you could be?
Living a minimalistic lifestyle does not mean you can not have nice things. If fact, I would suggest that if you truly practice it, you will have fewer things that are also of a higher caliber. Also living a minimalistic lifestyle means there are fewer choices to be making and requiring our attention, thus freeing you up to focus on things that really matter.
I am just beginning my journey down this road of minimalism, and I have much to clear out of unwanted stuff. It may or may not be a quick journey. But I will assert that as I lesson my hold on my attachments to things – especially things that are not important to me – my life will joyful.
Come and join me in the walk, jog or sprint down the path of minimalism and just consider the freedom of getting rid of some of that stuff that you have been holding on for no apparent reason. Sell or give away those things that you no longer need. Perhaps start with a closet. Then access what do you you really need.
It might even be a great time to pick up Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. Yes this book is also available for free on the Gutenberg Project.