Thinking you can do more with less? Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff? Do you breathe a sigh of relief as you walk into a hotel room because it’s so bare? Seeking a change?
Minimalism is a way to get the most out of what you have without taking on unncessary burden. Minimalism as a concept can be applied to many areas of living. Think of smart phone: it’s a phone, camera, message service, music player, bank, TV, voice recorder, and photo album all in one. Instead of having separate devices for these functions, they are all contained in one package. Think of mono-tasking, the opposite of multi-tasking. You can choose to focus on one activity (and do it well) than switching concentration from one item to the next and not progress as fast.
Minimalism when it comes to possessions is doing more with less stuff. Without the clutter in the way and less ‘backups,’ you’re able to focus more on what you do have. You can see your possessions clearly for what they really are, not for the layers we add on top of them: status, security, nostalgia, and convenience. Many who practice material minimalism have fewer things that do more work, often having items that are versatile in different situations.
Having less items allows you to appreciate the remainder. You notice when that pen you really love is not in its regular place. When those cherished jeans get a hole, you’re more prone to patch them to keep their retirement at bay. There’s more breathing space in your living space, and each item can truly have its own home.
Many have written blogs, made videos, done tours, written books, and created online programs about minimalism. For a good starting sources, check out The Minimalists, Leo Babauta, or Joshua Becker. They keep active blogs and websites about their own journeys into minimalism.
And keep in mind, minimalism is a journey, not a destination. The purpose of minimalism is to allow you to focus on what’s most important by not being bogged down by the excess. If you find yourself focusing on minimalism as the end goal, perhaps you might shift your thinking to what you’re really after.