Released in 2016, Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things, a documentary that made minimalism a buzzword, not only bashed out the negative connotation attached to minimalism but also highlighted the pitfalls of consumerism. The word minimalism is not alien now, but its true meaning is. Nicholas Burroughs describes minimalism as ‘the perfect amount of something and not lack of something.’ Research shows that adopting a minimal lifestyle directly impacts happiness and mental health.
Based on the principle of setting priorities for important things and abandoning the rest – which is nothing but distractions, minimalism doesn’t imply that we sacrifice our needs; instead, it encourages us to draw a line between needs and wants. It is a mindset that develops over time and with practice. This is why a 21-day challenge of minimalism might sound exciting, but often, on the 22nd day, the idea of minimalism gets lost.
Consider these subtle lifestyle changes to take a step towards minimalism.
1. Prioritize
This is the thumb rule of minimalism. Decide which possessions add value and eliminate the rest. Emotional detachment is what aspiring minimalists find most challenging during the initial phase. But setting clear milestones can make the goal of letting go of unwanted things more attainable.
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2. Say No
One of the most common lifestyle practices is accumulating possessions that bring instant gratification but eventually serve no purpose. Be mindful of what you spend your money on and be a conscious buyer. Being watchful can help arrest the chances of falling for the paradox of choices. Saying no to unwanted things can stop decision fatigue and enhance productivity.
3. Reduce Physical Possessions
Buy things that you need and not just want. Buying your wants might give you a sense of happiness and fulfillment in the short term, but you will realize very soon that it didn’t add any real value. You might even regret the purchase at a later date. Declutter material things that no longer serve any purpose and make room for the important ones. This could be, for instance, a closet stuffed with clothes that you don’t wear. You might have bought these closes because they were trending. Instead, maintain a minimalistic and multipurpose wardrobe that suits your style. Buy accessories that can go along multiple outfits with some mixing and matching.
4. Digital Minimalism
Choosing a focused life in a noisy world can work wonders. Digital minimalism means being calm and happy, being able to hold long conversations without sneaky glances at your phones, getting lost in a good book, creating an artwork, enjoying a leisurely walk, bonding with family and friends. The key to achieve digital minimalism is to overcome ‘fear of missing out,’ and stop getting overwhelmed with the latest updates and breaking news. Practice digital decluttering by limiting the use of unnecessary applications and turning off unnecessary notifications. The key is to use digital technology to support your goals and values, rather than letting it control you.
5. Quality Over Quantity
Based on the idea of ‘less is more,’ invest in quality products, always. Instead of buying two average quality products, buy one of superior quality that would last long. This will eliminate the chances of buying duplicate items and save your budget.
Practicing in a minimalistic lifestyle can be challenging as it demands one to switch off impulsive buying behavior and craving for fancy stuff – something that’s almost impossible in today’s world. But remember, minimalism has the power to change the quality of life drastically. Train your mind to differentiate between assets and liabilities, expenses and investments. Ditch the idea of ‘the more, the better’ in terms of possessions and set off on your journey to embrace minimalism.
