A minimalist lifestyle offers us a way to live a fulfilled life with fewer things. People worldwide follow this lifestyle for a plethora of reasons. Some do so to reduce stress in their lives while others simply prefer owning items they absolutely love.
As for me, I started practicing minimalism when I relocated halfway across the world about a couple of years ago. And along the journey, I learned some really valuable minimalist lifestyle lessons.
“Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves.”
Edwin Way Teale, 1899.
Life is our greatest teacher. Just when we think that we have seen all and done what could be done, it usually puts us in front of a whole new adventure.
That’s how I like to envision my cross-continent move almost two and a half years ago- an adventure. And my greatest life lesson from this move? The importance of a minimalist lifestyle.
The Before
I will not say that I was ever overly attached to material things. But, in my twenties, I did spend a considerable portion of my paycheck on buying stuff that caught my fancy. Though this habit never went out of control because I was not a spendthrift. I still saved a good amount, while paying off my student debt ahead of schedule.
However, I did own a lot of things. That not only took up space in my home but also contributed a bit towards mental clutter. At this time, I was not really aware of the concept of the minimalist lifestyle. What I did feel from time to time was a yearning for a simpler life involving fewer possessions.
The Change
Life happened and I had to relocate halfway across the world. This move required me to change a lot of things in my life. I resigned from my cushy job, sold or gave away most of my belongings, and came to the US with just two bags.
It was a strange feeling- to be in a new land without the anchor or comfort of the familiar.
At the same time, it was the most liberating experience of my life. It not only taught me to be always open to change but also led me on a journey of pursuing minimalism.
What Is Minimalism To Me?
While the underlying idea about minimalism remains the same, it can mean different things to different people. A lot of the interpretation depends on our inherent natures and characteristics. That being said, to me, a minimalist lifestyle is all about having just enough.
I do not practice minimalism with the idea of having fewer possessions or throwing away stuff. Instead, I focus on not accumulating things mindlessly. You could say that for me minimalism is a form of practicing mindfulness in my daily life.
Related Read: 5 Minimalism Reminders For Beginners
Lessons About Minimalist Lifestyle
So what did I actually learn about minimalism during this time? Well for starters, it gave me a whole new perspective about life itself. What is more, it taught me that my happiness lies within- I just have to look for it in the right place.
The following are the 5 most important lessons about the minimalist lifestyle that I learned during this time.
1. I Already Have Enough
I discovered that I needed very basic things to live my life. A huge wardrobe was unnecessary, I could rotate my clothes effectively. Similarly, I did not feel the need for buying new gadgets or toys. I was perfectly fine with what I had and could buy things when absolutely necessary.
This realization in itself lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Once I came to terms with the fact that I had what I needed, I could focus my energy on other important things- like my hobbies and passions.
2. Fewer Things Equals More Mobility
This is such a no-brainer that seems almost quite silly to be written down. But we often forget that the less we have, the easier it is to move around with our luggage. Of course, this is applicable to people like me who move around a lot. I have shifted houses 14 times in the last decade. There are perhaps only fewer tasks more tiring than packing for a move.
Paring down my possessions as part of my minimalism journey has taught me that the less I own, the freer I can be. It has a remarkable positive impact on both physical and mental health.
3. Eliminating Materials Leads To Lesser Stress
There are people who can be genuinely inspired even when they are surrounded by clutter. Not me though. Having too much stuff adds to my anxiety levels. I am sure there are others out there who feel the same.
To all those people I would just say- the fewer material possessions you have, the lesser the stress. Cleaning, organizing, storing and caring for- all take much less time and energy. For example, if there are unexpected guests dropping by, there is no need to panic over where to shove all the clutter that is lying around in your home.
Related Read: 6 Tips on Becoming a Minimalist
4. Not Everything Has To Be Minimalistic
Now, this is a bit counter-intuitive. My minimalist lifestyle journey has taught me that not every aspect of my life requires to be minimalist. There are areas where indulgence is necessary to live a fulfilled life. For me, those areas are my hobbies.
We often make the mistake of looking at minimalism as the process of elimination. However, that is not true. Minimalism is, at its core, the practice of letting in only those things that we absolutely love. And if you love painting or reading or a particular sport, you do not need to curb your wishes when it comes to fulfilling desires related to them.
Related Read: Fashion Minimalism- 5 Practical Tips to Declutter Your Closet
5. True Happiness Is Intentional
What has happiness got to do with the minimalist lifestyle? A lot, actually.
Modern society puts great emphasis on consumerism and attaches our potential to be happy with the number of things we buy. Nowadays, it is not enough to buy clothes once in 6 months or a new gadget once every couple of years. We are in a world that constantly entices us to buy more with the lure of happiness.
But is that actually the case? Can real happiness be found in the next swanky purchase? I do not think so. Living with less and buying things mindfully has shown me that true happiness is intentional. We have to look within ourselves and learn to be happy. The fleeting satisfaction that we feel when we buy something new does not represent genuine happiness. Sure, it does give a sense of euphoria but it is always short-lived.
True happiness, on the other hand, is gained through practice, patience, and the knowledge that what we need is perhaps already there with us.
Peace.
Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
