In the convulsive bustle of modern everyday life, we are exhausting ourselves with excesses. Hundreds of unnecessary things and an incorrectly organized daily routine put pressure on us, leaving no room for personal space. But what if you fundamentally change your lifestyle? Not so long ago, a new, although not clear to all, direction has become fashionable. More and more people began to choose minimalism in life and in things. There is a huge drop of common sense in this.
Minimalism: what is it like?
It may seem to many that this is about saving. However, this is not at all true. The very idea of ​​minimalism is not to try to moderate your expenses, but to give up excesses. Yes exactly. Even if it seems to you that your life is too boring and monotonous to have excesses in it, it may turn out to be self-deception. Take a look around and sensibly appreciate everything that surrounds you. Do you think most things are vital? Probably the answer will be no. In other words, minimalism allows you to take a different look at the world around you and understand the level of your error.
By the way, this is not about simplicity. You can give preference to concise and unusual styles in clothing, interiors and other areas, but it still will not be minimalism. Well, judge: is a complete closet of classic dresses - a refusal from excesses? Answer this question for yourself.
We limit ourselves to things, just like memories, accumulating them in a huge lump. Over time, this becomes a kind of addiction. Minimalism in life and in things as a philosophy of life is your key to inner freedom.
The popularity of minimalism and its causes
The desire to moderate the flow of information that covers us literally with our head became a completely natural desire. People felt pressure from all sides, from which they immediately wanted to get rid of. Imagine that you were locked in a dark and cramped drawer, leaving only a small gap for air. Such an environment will certainly cause fear, panic, apathy, and some even have claustrophobia.
But why did people even start cluttering up their lives with unnecessary things? The thing is a clear lack of information that they have experienced for many centuries. With the onset of the progressive age, a lot of opportunities fell on mankind. Each inhabitant of the planet was able to enjoy this information storm and, of course, wanted to get as much as possible from it. But some time passed, and people became crowded in a similar setting. So there was a modernist movement called minimalism. In life and in things, it has become fashionable to restore order in order to free your mind from the "garbage" that has accumulated in it.
Just a couple of decades ago, people hung carpets on the walls of apartments, hooked magnets onto refrigerators, and decorated tables with lace napkins. Now it’s fashionable to live in a half-empty room, where in the corner there is one closet in which all things are hidden. The same applies to clothing: to look good, just put on high-quality jeans and a plain t-shirt.
The benefits of modern philosophy
Fashion sometimes presents us with unusual solutions, which often turn out to be meaningless. That is why many of us are wary of her new trends. But how then is it worth perceiving minimalism in life and in things? For women, this trend may seem somewhat frightening, because it is they who tend to surround themselves with many details. In fact, all the trash in our lives is an anchor that pulls us down. So get rid of it will not be superfluous. Here are some of the benefits of minimalism as a lifestyle:
- Thoughts remain clear. You will not need to worry about additional cash costs, protecting your priceless property, etc. This will save you from daily stress and free your mind for more important things.
- Money spent less. Agree, if a huge amount of money didn’t go to - let's face it - unnecessary things, it would be great to save. Although the idea of ​​minimalism is not at all in this, this advantage cannot be disputed. You could invest free money in your own business or other profitable business.
- There is a time for family. Beyond the mountain of obligations that a person invents for himself, there is absolutely no time left for loved ones. Minimalism in life and in things allows us to understand how important close people are to us.
- Pressure from the side decreases. People who know that you are a minimalist will simply stop offering unnecessary junk “to maintain status”.
Is it hard to live without frills?
How many things do you take with you when you travel? Here, perhaps, it is worth dividing people into two groups. One half will certainly collect a huge hiking backpack and will still worry that she forgot some thing. Another will be a fairly small handbag with the most necessary. Which of them will feel better when traveling? Of course, a person belonging to the second group. He does not need to shoulder extra weight. This person will be able to fully enjoy the journey. But those who take a hiking backpack with them will have to work hard. Perhaps, looking at his friend, he will want to choose minimalism in life and in things.
Refusing all that is superfluous is a difficult task, but it is worth it. True, learning to take a minimum of things with you on a camping trip is just the beginning. Next, you need to get used to living in such a rhythm.
Sacred Rules for a Minimalist
Here are three basic rules that a person who has chosen a minimalistic lifestyle should adhere to:
- Buying more does not mean living better. You need to learn to see beauty in the small and give preference to objects that can be used rationally.
- Happiness does not consist of money or valuables. Therefore, to hammer your life with constant work for the acquisition of another trinket simply does not make sense.
- Quality always exceeds quantity. It is better to have one thing, but really worth it, than a pile of all trash.
Principles of minimalism
To completely change your thinking, it will take a lot of effort and time. Indeed, minimalism in life and things is not just an idea, but a whole philosophy, which must be sincerely believed. It implies the following principles:
- The complete absence of unnecessary things. This does not mean that you do not need any household items at all. It’s just worth getting rid of those items that are not really needed.
- Properly prioritized. You must be able to determine what is most important to you. Family or maybe a career? The main priority should be what makes you happy.
- Positive emotions should always be the place. When putting things in order, remember to leave space for joy. If you get rid of excesses, this does not mean that you need to learn to exist with emptiness. It just needs to be filled in correctly.
- All the little things are important. Every perfect act, every detail that surrounds you, should carry some meaning in itself. Minimalism in life and in things always accompanies rationalism.
- The desire for progress. Thoughts free from trifles should be aimed at self-knowledge and continuous self-improvement. Minimalism is never perfect enough. You should strive for the perfect order in your life, constantly reviewing and editing everything that happens in it.
- Do not get attached to things. Really strong emotions should be caused only by close people. Developing our relationships, we develop ourselves. Excessive attachment to things only makes us too down to earth and makes it impossible to truly live.
Freeing up physical space
Gluttony and the desire to get rid of trash are two ideas that prevent a person from living in constant harmony. We first buy things that carry little or no value, and then throw them away. Or, even worse, just leave this trash somewhere on the mezzanine, "until better times." But are these times coming?
Make sure that in your physical space there is nothing superfluous. Minimalism in life and things, as already mentioned, manifests itself in rationalism. For example, a bed, an armchair and a couch can be replaced with one large sofa. It will be possible to sleep on it, watch TV or drink tea with guests. At the same time, a lot of additional space will be freed up in the room.
In fact, if you think about it, then the outside world offers a person much more than he needs to meet basic needs.
Learning to navigate the information space
One of the worst weapons of our time is advertising. A person swallows a fishing rod and at the same moment ceases to use logic. He no longer wonders if this product is really as important as the manufacturer describes it. But the worst thing is that some products are potentially hazardous to health, but we do not notice it. Inspired by the information that the advertisement carries, people buy Coca-Cola, although they might prefer natural juice.
Use common sense if you want minimalism in life and in things. Photos and colorful labels on flyers should not guide the logic, so think rationally before you purchase anything. Also, watch your own speech. Try to state your thoughts as concisely and concisely as possible, as unnecessary words distort the essence of what has been said, and sometimes lead to misunderstanding. Pure, free from meaningless sentences speech is more effective than empty chatter.
By learning to filter incoming information, you can get more benefits for yourself, as well as get rid of cluttering up your physical space.
Minimalism and emotions
No, we are not talking about the need to abandon the senses. Quite the contrary - you make room for emotions, leaving minimalism in life and things. Nothing superfluous in life means no unjustified purchases, meaningless experiences and worthless deeds. Protecting ourselves from material and informational trash, we thereby insure ourselves against constant stress. This paves the way for a true knowledge of emotions. We begin to feel exactly what is really important, without focusing on superficial sensations.
The emotional sphere of a person can be compared with a musical instrument. If you constantly play on the wrong strings, then the guitar can simply be upset. The same goes for our emotions. Infinitely experiencing fear and aggression, a person simply does not leave room for true feelings: joy and love. Free yourself from meaningless pursuits, and you can bare the most tender strings of your soul.
Competent management of your finances
Now let's talk a little about money. Switching to a completely new lifestyle, you will have to cut back on your expenses. In other words, you need to turn on saving mode. But here again a contradiction arises. Is the restriction of one’s own needs the result of the minimalism that prevails in life and things?
Nothing more - this is the main motto that you should be guided by. So do not worry, minimalism has nothing to do with saving in the most unpleasant sense of the word. Do not sacrifice needs, you just need to stop indulging your own whims. You will be surprised how easy it is to live without monthly wardrobe updates, another smartphone and magazines that, after reading, go to the trash. The advantage of a minimalist approach to finance is that very soon some amount will accumulate from the money saved. It can be used for good purposes: for example, to pay off a debt.
Minimalism and health
As has been repeatedly stated, the minimalist style is based on rationalism. This means that all actions must have logic and consistency. If you already understood what minimalism looks like in life and in things, then you must have guessed what it represents in relation to health. This direction preaches a consistent approach to its daily regimen. Having got rid of “trash” in life, you can fully pay attention to the health of your body. This applies to proper nutrition, and regular training.
Start by creating your daily menu. Eat only foods that are truly healthy. After all, healthy food does not have to be tasteless, right? Be guided by thinking, but do not forget about desires - this is how minimalism manifests itself in life and in things. There is still a little advice for women: do not stand for hours at the stove to cook dinner. You can make something light and simple, and leave delicious dishes for the holidays.
As for training, you do not have to strive for any ideals or try to become a bodybuilding star. Only light physical exercises performed several times a week are enough to keep the body in good shape. In addition, you can do without a gym membership and train at home.
Well, now you know what minimalism looks like in life and in things. The photos in the article contain examples of this direction. Learn to be content with being small to be a truly happy person!