Definition of Minimalism. And Why this Lifestyle?

(4 Mins Read)

Dear Cherished Reader,

First and foremost, I hope you are well, and I am glad you are here. To begin, in this post, I will discuss the real meaning of minimalism and why it is a suitable lifestyle for any person, anytime, and anywhere.

Since you clicked on this page, I will make some funny assumptions about your presence here so just to not make everything serious and also it is an opportunity to break the ice between us 🙂

Ok then… You are here because:

1. You are interested in minimalism
2. Perhaps you do not even know what it means, and you stumbled upon my website/page by mistake?
3. Hmm, maybe curious about this lifestyle?
4. A minimalist starter?
5. A green freak?
6. A student doing online searches about sustainability?
7. Bored as heck and want to read for some pass time
8. Orrrr…. broke as hell and wants to feel good about yourself?
9. And finally….. googled me? ^_^

Which category appeals most to you? Or perhaps you fall into? Hmm, I am super curious to know – JK (Just Kidding). Whatever the reason that brought you here, my dear digital friend, I am glad our destinies crossed paths and finally made it here. The only thing I want to emphasize is that as you are scrolling down this page right now, be assured you are in a safe judgment-free zone and utterly free of negativity.

Dear friend, I cannot find any other more straightforward way to explain to you the purest definition of minimalism besides defining it as the temporary ownership of materials based on needs and not wants. Yes, I clearly said temporary and not permanent. If you are going to hold on to your teddy bear from the first grade, your prom dress from high school, the shoes you had on when you first met your significant other, then I will make it short, smooth, sweet, and say that I do not think this lifestyle is suitable for you as of “right now.”. I firmly believe you check with your minimalist switch decision sometime later. Sometime in the future, when you feel psychologically/mentally ready for change before giving up on your valuables. And by saying valuables, I do not only mean high-end belongings. However, anything that means a lot to you. I am afraid doing so just for the sake to be called a minimalist may make you feel guilty in the long run, and I don’t want you to experience that ugly feeling. Minimalism is about FREEING oneself from the control, temptation and lure of materials. Minimalism is a skill that allows you to learn how to appreciate abstract memories over physical “things” and “stuff.”

Minimalism is about training your mindset on holding on to strict high standards and ethical core values and having the willingness to stick to those ethics and rules no matter the circumstances. I cannot guarantee you will become a minimalist overnight, but I can promise you with determination, time, and mind openness you will achieve it someday.

Minimalism is a skill acquired, learned, and earned over time. Talking about myself, I did not find it easy to let go at first, but once I did, I only can speak about the pleasuring experience of giving to the needy. Remember that someone’s trash is someone’s treasure. And by no means, I am saying that your belongings are trash. I am speaking here, figuratively, and not literally. My point is that minimalism is about appreciating the happy moments and the joy of simplicity. I am sure that that specific “whatever it is” you once received from your partner could be a bouquet, shawl, scarf, or anything else, means a lot to you, but what if something happened and you lost that specific item.

The hurricane of Katrina took more than 75% of New Orleans underwater. The Californian wildfire in 2017 caused tremendous damage, where people had to leave everything, and I mean every “THING” behind them except themselves outside. I hope I do not sound cynical, but my point is what if you lost an item you built a strong bond towards at a bus station or the airport. I remember I once was hanging out with my lady friend and got too much into our lady talk that I left my favorite of all time jacket behind on the bus. The jacket meant the world to me because I purchased it with my very first paycheck ever. So whenever I wear it, I feel good about myself that I am a capable person, and I can now afford to buy “things” for myself. But once I lost it, I genuinely felt shattered and went through an emotional breakdown that lasted for about two weeks. I remember my mom reassuring me that someone else needs it more than me. Mom tried every possible way to convince me that the coat is now making someone else happy because as it is no longer my property. Losing my jacket does not mean I lost confidence in myself as an independent and capable woman. The coat represented a symbol of independence solely to me. If I buy myself another jacket or skirt, then that item will take over the meaning of freedom. My message behind this keen explanation of whatever I wrote is that those material things come and go, and we shall not feel horrible towards any materials lost, damaged, affordable, or not. We are and the people in our lives, those happy moments and memories shared with others are more valuable than whatever materials we own.