Why would I choose less? My take on Minimalism.

Sometimes, as a minimalist person; when the need (or desire) to purchase something comes up, I can get things misconstrued. And I can start to think that if I buy something that isn’t toilet paper, basic groceries or fabric to cover myself from the sun, well then, I must just not be a very good minimalist. And I start to wonder if I’m failing at minimalism.

But the truth is, that that rigid and nuance-free mentality that professes in an outdoor voice that a good minimalist just doesn’t buy, is likely the only way that I may have steered myself off course in my minimalist journey.

Because minimalism does not need to mean that we are actively maintaining (or promoting) any level of desperation, or deprivation. This mentality is not part of my own version of minimalism. And it doesn’t need to be part of yours either – unless you want it to of course. We’re all on our own journey. But my own philosophy of minimalism is a little more subtle and a lot kinder than, “No stuff for you!” And there is a good reason for that…

I have experienced many times that in dogmatically keeping myself from all of the items that I desire or long for, it will only cause me to desire and long for these things more strongly, more fervently, and more intensely. And that’s just not what I want for myself. I like a calm life. I like nice things. And through living a minimalist life I am able to acquire them. Slowly and thoughtfully.

When I deprive myself, my susceptibility to losing control tends to heighten. Which for me can easily become the anthesis to living a calm, content, and successful minimalist existence. And that is always my one true desire, and goal as a minimalist. To be calm, and comfortable and content in my own life journey with fewer excess possessions.

I am not a minimalist as a way to punish myself. I’m a minimalist because I can do, and be more when I have less.

I am a minimalist as a way to celebrate the beauty of what life means to me. And I am a minimalist because threaded through this way of life, is the time to think of and to appreciate the small things that can so easily be chronically missed in our busy world.

The practice of minimalism offers a clarity of mind and the constant cultivation of a fighting chance at a more often easeful life made of clearer and more thoughtful decisions. And fewer, more thoughtfully acquired possessions. And so, minimalism can make us lighter. It means that if I decide to buy something for myself, that I don’t take the process of bringing this new thing into my home, lightly.

I think that through minimalism, we learn to make our decisions slowly. To take the time we need. To let things percolate…

And taking your time to do or decided tends to naturally wipe away so many future regrets. It also leaves space. For us to see truth. It can be elusive and quiet. But it’s there. It’s in the clairity that minimalism allows us to grow.

So, I have learned and practiced the act of just sitting next to a new idea, or even stepping away from it. So that I can either come back to it with new perspectives. Or I might just forget about it. Either way can be profoundly helpful. Minimalism has taught me to wait. Until I’m confident with my plan.

As I continue to live with less, I feel like minimalism can actually be a study of one’s self, one’s tendencies, triggers, weaknesses, and deepest fears and desires. And as I slowly figure out the psychology of my own personal being, I have the chance to delve deeper into my life, and into what I want (and don’t want) for myself.

Living as a minimalist, I find ways to satiate and calm myself that are good. And effective. And that don’t make me financially broke, disorganized, or overwhelmed. I find ways into myself, so that I can understand things that can help me to be more content, things that have nothing to do with random items, splurges and illogical purchases.

Nevertheless, I am ok with buying myself ‘unnecessary’ things, as long as I go about the process in a way that I feel is right for me. Firstly, and most importantly, when I want something, I wait.

Sometimes it could be a year, and sometimes it could be a week or a day. It depends on the item and the circumstances involved. But, my first response to a desire to do it now, when I know I don’t need to, is always to do nothing. To breathe.

Usually, the first sign that I need to wait, is that I’m suddenly in a hurry. When it’s related to making a purchase, I feel this desperate pull to get it NOW…

So I stop scrolling. I put my phone down, I close the tabs filled with items in my cart. And I breathe. I tell myself what I need to hear. “you don’t need it now”.

And if I end up needing it in the future I’ll decide to buy it then.

The hurry to get it is the biggest sign not to. Not now. I’ll make a pot of green tea instead. And enjoy the day. Away from my phone, and the hurried exhaustion of ‘needing something new’.

What I need now is to enjoy the day, to be productive, to fill and fuel my passions, and to live a life that I love.

That is what minimalism has given to me. And that’s my take on minimalism today 🙂

Thank you so much for listening to my thoughts,

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Talk soon,

-Lyndsay