August 20, 2020
Minimal Living
We often get the impression the more the better, our metrics for success and abundance are more and more of everything. More money, more properties, more cars, more gadgets, more bags, more clothes, more shoes, more books, more toys, more furniture and more and more.
Our society has taken advantage of our greedy instincts by keep showing us new and flashy products in all kinds of variations of color, design, and with high prices to make up for them. We will fall into the trap of buying them even though we don't really need them and if our friends or some random reviewers recommend them, we will buy them even faster because we want to show off our new purchase and post online to get validations. This impulsive buying behaviour has caused us to clutter our living spaces, hurt the environments, pile up the landfills, and also take up energy to have to attend to them in our minds. It will also cost you $ and leaving less money for retirement.
Having more items than we need drains more of your mindful energy than your physical energy. All items you purchased and kept in your living spaces are also lodged in your mind, if you see it, you will have to spend energy to decide what to do with it. Where you will put it, when you going to use it, how you going to use it, at what occasion, fix it if it's broken, it could also make you emotional if there is damage to the item. When you be honest with yourselves and ask the question of, do you really need it, do you really love it with your heart, can you live without it? The answers will be obvious.
The art of minimal living does not mean boring and dull, it means to keep the stuff you only need for a sustainable life, to have a purpose for each item around you and that feeling of purpose will help you to validate if you really love that item. For example, you don't need 3 toothbrushes, you only need 1. You don't need 10 handbags, you only need a well-designed one suitable for many occasions, you don't need 5 pairs of running shoes, you only need 1 that fits your feet, you don't need 3 cars, you only need a reliable car. Countless examples.
We are not saying you should practice being a Monk or to live in the wild with Mother Nature, although it could be a life-changing experience if you really want to try. We recommend that you only keep items around you that you really love and have a purpose in your life with no duplications, use that item until the end of its life before replacing them.
Based on scientific research, our minds are happier and grounded if we have less to worry about and let go, hence the meditation techniques teach you to focus on your breathing and loosen your thoughts so you will worry less. Pay attention to what to keep around you, have more spaces in your living area, love each item that you touch and use, keep each item in a neat permanent place physically.
If you take action to start minimal living, it will bring joy, hopefulness, and more energy into your lives to achieve your dreams. It will keep distractions away and let you focus on what's important to you and your loved ones.
Uncluttered physical spaces transpire into uncluttered minds with joy, fewer anxieties, and a healthier lifestyle. Our feeling of success and abundance comes from gratefulness, joy, relationships, and health, not the number of physical items we possess.
Our society has taken advantage of our greedy instincts by keep showing us new and flashy products in all kinds of variations of color, design, and with high prices to make up for them. We will fall into the trap of buying them even though we don't really need them and if our friends or some random reviewers recommend them, we will buy them even faster because we want to show off our new purchase and post online to get validations. This impulsive buying behaviour has caused us to clutter our living spaces, hurt the environments, pile up the landfills, and also take up energy to have to attend to them in our minds. It will also cost you $ and leaving less money for retirement.
Having more items than we need drains more of your mindful energy than your physical energy. All items you purchased and kept in your living spaces are also lodged in your mind, if you see it, you will have to spend energy to decide what to do with it. Where you will put it, when you going to use it, how you going to use it, at what occasion, fix it if it's broken, it could also make you emotional if there is damage to the item. When you be honest with yourselves and ask the question of, do you really need it, do you really love it with your heart, can you live without it? The answers will be obvious.
The art of minimal living does not mean boring and dull, it means to keep the stuff you only need for a sustainable life, to have a purpose for each item around you and that feeling of purpose will help you to validate if you really love that item. For example, you don't need 3 toothbrushes, you only need 1. You don't need 10 handbags, you only need a well-designed one suitable for many occasions, you don't need 5 pairs of running shoes, you only need 1 that fits your feet, you don't need 3 cars, you only need a reliable car. Countless examples.
We are not saying you should practice being a Monk or to live in the wild with Mother Nature, although it could be a life-changing experience if you really want to try. We recommend that you only keep items around you that you really love and have a purpose in your life with no duplications, use that item until the end of its life before replacing them.
Based on scientific research, our minds are happier and grounded if we have less to worry about and let go, hence the meditation techniques teach you to focus on your breathing and loosen your thoughts so you will worry less. Pay attention to what to keep around you, have more spaces in your living area, love each item that you touch and use, keep each item in a neat permanent place physically.
If you take action to start minimal living, it will bring joy, hopefulness, and more energy into your lives to achieve your dreams. It will keep distractions away and let you focus on what's important to you and your loved ones.
Uncluttered physical spaces transpire into uncluttered minds with joy, fewer anxieties, and a healthier lifestyle. Our feeling of success and abundance comes from gratefulness, joy, relationships, and health, not the number of physical items we possess.