Oh, this is such a trigger word now, this MINIMALISM. I just watched a lovely documentary on said trigger word, and I've come to the conclusion that way too many people are equating the two words and lifestyles (minimalism and declutter) as one.
Not so, Shakespeare.
First, if one is to truly embrace the spirit of minimalism, you are going to have to be very, very detached from what is our world. We have entirely too much distraction, and are entirely too much connected to what is out there, whether it's technology, work, color, food or people. And, most of the minimalists that are seriously trying to be cleansed of the horrors of owning too much stuff have made hundreds of thousands of dollars and they, quite frankly, have the money to live that lifestyle.
I know, it sounds like a terrible hypocrisy, these words of which I write. But, the more and more you dedicate your thoughts about this lifestyle of having one pair of jeans and a couple of shirts, the more and more you realize that minimalism takes money. Lots of money. Minimalists aren't the spiritual beings that we, as common people, associate with monks and hermits. We have gotten this all wrong.
Decluttering your lifestyle is more agreeable to most of us. Reorganizing is very important in this step. But, in most cases, reorganizing things is a simpler way to say "I'm hiding all my stuff that I need to hide so it looks decluttered."
I totally agree with using less, consuming less, becoming less attached to stuff so that we can BE more, think more, have less stress and connect more with the ideals that make us happy. Being happy is the key. Whatever leads you to that path, embrace it and run down that path the rest of your life. If you can be truthful and honest with yourself, you can naturally declutter your life of stuff that weighs you down and thus become more of that "minimalist" that you seek.
I physically and mentally sought the more "decluttered" life when I went through a divorce that crushed me to my very core. Everything I had accumulated over my life up to that point, stuff, feelings, hopes and dreams – all left with me in a huge U-Haul truck, rolling down the highway back to my home state. I can remember walking out of my motel room, with a cup of coffee, on about the third week of existing in that room with my five dogs and my daughter, thinking, "What in the hell is in that U-Haul that I can't live without?" My own journey had begun.
Decluttering for me is a constant battle. I'm a collector of "things," which inspire me emotionally and make me smile. I'm a creative person who needs the visual stimuli of bits and pieces. But I made a pact with myself that for every "thing" I find to bring in to my home, I must remove a "thing." It really is that simple. "Things" that are no longer of value to me, for whatever reason, are given away. It's a series of checks and balances. I migrated from a 7,200 square foot building, to a 1,200 square foot rental home to my 900 square foot home. I still have too much stuff and I am still removing things, but I have far less consumerism in my world than I used to. My studio is very cluttered with objects that inspire me, but I am making progress in not needing so many clothes, shoes, jewelry or kitchen items. I keep things neat, which takes the stress of chaos from taking over and that is one of the keys to my own happiness. In such a small home, it's much easier to keep things in proper order. I recycle everything that I can, from consumer waste of cans, bottles and paper, to objects that I donate or give away to friends and family that can use the items. I shop thrift stores as often as I can for things, as that in itself is a form of recycling.
I will never be a minimalist. Living with one chair, a couple of tables and a coffeemaker is not going to make me happy. I like what stuff I have kept. I only keep the stuff I need and like now. I have a very comfortable life, with DVD players, TVs and smartphones. If they work, I don't even consider upgrading. I strive to live a life of purpose and thought. I consciously think and consider everything I do purchase – do I need it, and for how long? Can I afford the upkeep? Is this necessary to make me comfortable and happy? And I review "stuff" from time to time and reduce when I can, never keeping anything that does not work (appliances, clothes, shoes, etc.) I donate unused paint, tiles, furniture and building supplies to Habitat stores.
I think, rather than trendy labels like minimalism, we should just all strive to be intelligent consumers on this planet, and to recycle and reuse whenever possible. Being a minimalist would be like being on a constant lifestyle diet, and quite frankly, life is too short. Life is to be lived, and, you should "throw all the paint on the canvas that you can." Humans are meant to connect and sometimes, the stuff we own and the books we read and the things we do help us to connect to others. Have discussions, hug a lot and go out into the world and travel. It's all about living, not simply existing. Gain wisdom and compassion. Be.
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