(8 mins read)
Dear readers,
Many welcomes to another post. Here, I want to touch base on specific common socially discussed minimalistic topics, and some of the generally asked questions. I will cover:
- Why some people drop out of minimalism
- Stereotypical ideas minimalistic beginners, and overall many people have about minimalism.
Anything overwhelming is not welcomed. I totally agree. I wouldn’t want to feel overwhelmed as well so why would you?! This is the case of some people who shy away from minimalism due to the heavy load they feel once they are introduced to this lifestyle. For some, minimalism is just like a flu season; it comes and goes but never sticks so what’s the reason? Few stereotypical ideas and misunderstandings about minimalism cause people to drop out of it. In my last post, I wanted to get an idea of people’s opinions and overview towards minimalism, which had allowed me to interview some random individuals and see their insight about it. Most, described minimalism as hard because they can’t control their temptations and because they strongly feel bonded towards some of their belongings although it is unneeded. While I understand that some things we can’t live without, we must teach ourselves the power of letting go. Based on my interview with people I observed that some think that minimalism is boring or you have to give up on your hobbies and adopt boring ones. TOTALLY wrong! NO, NOPE, and NEVER. That is NOT minimalism nor it will ever be. I am an architect student and I love what I do. In the studio where I practice my studies, I am always required to bring brushes, paints, papers, and other designing equipment. I am as well preaching minimalism. Does my career choice make me contradictory to what I preach? The answer is: Absolutely NOT. Those belongings that I have are a must and GOD knows how soon I will run out of what I am using now, and how soon I am going to be in need of making additional equipment school purchases?!
Some minimal newbies have the wrong understanding of minimalism. It is indeed exciting to see that this lifestyle is becoming the trend, especially nowadays, more people became aware, enlightened, and responsibly sustainable for their actions towards themselves and earth. However, despite the rise of minimalism trend, many people (or at least, the ones I’ve met with) have an absolute misunderstanding about the true meaning of this lifestyle.
Since my mission is to recruit as many people as I possibly can towards minimalistic, eco-friendly, and sustainable living, I am committed to providing people with more precise information and friendly-user study guide to help them get off of hoarding.
Dearest reader, minimalism is not about dumping all of your clothes and buying everything green colored, nor is it about purchasing the most luxurious bamboo utensils you can find in store. In fact, with these actions, though to you it may seem trivial, in reality, it is supporting capitalism which caused you to become a hoarder in the first place. Now, I won’t go deep into this subject; otherwise, this post will transform into an encyclopedia book. My point is that minimalism is simply about MINIMIZING used resources and raw materials. If you own a stainless steel spoon, what for buying a bamboo one and creating more landfills? If you happen to hold from your previous hoarder life a non-vegan trouser, why the need to purchase eco pants and create more waste? When I decided to make my eco-switch, I never focused on throwing my belongings out of my property as much as I focused on using what I already have. Though, I won’t deny that I made a couple of “necessary” purchases, which will help me in my new lifestyle. An example of the purchases I made is a reusable stainless steel tongue scrapper after recycling the previous overused plastic one I had. I also purchased a bamboo toothbrush after using the plastic one I had for a period of time that lasted for three months and a half additionally to some other non-impulsive purchases as well. I will publish a specific post sometime in the future where I will be sharing exactly what kind of purchases I made during the switch. I can finally describe my recent transactions and for the very first time, more of an ethical gesture and responsible act rather than an impulsive buy. Another example of minimalism can be described as a small act of deciding to use a reusable bamboo straw rather than a one-time single-use plastic straw.
In conclusion, minimalism is more than what we think it is based on a superficial understanding. Indeed, minimalism is not only about managing to have an inventory count of one’s belongings; moreover, it is about one’s values, high-level ethics, responsibility, and obligations towards the earth inside your house and outside in your personal life.
Peace and Blessings,
ASH
MiniMyList 