Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Jessica Dang of Minimal Student.
As people, since childhood, we are told that we should always want more and more. That we should grab as much as we can. We spend our lives earning more money to buy houses bigger than we need, to buy more clothes than we can wear and flashy cars just to get from A to B. We’re told to stuff ourselves at Thanksgiving and Christmas, fill our schedules with appointments and errands, keep up with all the media that surrounds us on TV, in magazines and on the internet. We’re told to take whatever we can, and as much of it as possible. But many of us know there is another way.
“Live simply so others may simply live.”
As a minimalist, I’ve based my life around this philosophy. I’ve stopped taking more than I need and used my extra time, effort and money to help others that need it more than I do. I’ve supported and encouraged people to make changes in their lives for the better. And by consuming less, I’ve greatly reduced the amount I contribute to the world’s pollution and waste. I’m very proud of what I’ve done for others, but for some people, helping others may not be enough to push them to make the changes they need.
So, how about:
“Live simply, so I may simply live.”
It’s true, in a big way, that minimalists have less. We have fewer clothes, shoes and accessories. We have smaller houses. We may have clearer schedules. We might not even own a car. But does that mean we live unhappier lives? Is it always worse to have less?
Of course it’s not.
If we owned fewer things, we wouldn’t have to worry about our stuff breaking, becoming redundant, getting lost or stolen. We wouldn’t have to worry about money, debt, doing overtime, the high costs of rent, gas for our car or our shopping habits.
If we weren’t so busy with work, appointments and commitments our heart isn’t into any more, we’d actually have time to spend with the people we love. We could actually talk about things that we’re worried about, what the kids did at school today or simply how we’re feeling. We could go to the park, have a picnic, go to a museum, theatre, concert or why not just throw caution into the wind and skydive with friend?
If we gave up watching TV four hours a day, we could use that time to learn something new, like a foreign language, how to cook, or take up an instrument. We wouldn’t be bombarded so much by people we don’t know telling us how pretty our houses should be, how pretty our clothes or hair should be and basically how to live our lives.
If we didn’t own a car, or just drove less to work or school, we could walk or ride our bikes instead. We could taste the morning air, feel the rain (it’s only water) stretch our legs and enjoy seeing the world as it really is, instead of constantly from the inside a metal box.
If we ate less, or just more simple foods instead of processed garbage, we wouldn’t have to do as much exercise to work it off (or feel guilty for not doing it). We wouldn’t have to deal with the confidence blows every time we look in the mirror or stand on those scales. We wouldn’t have to worry about the long term health problems that may arise because we concentrated too much on the short term pleasure of that third helping.
And finally, if we gave up being so attached to stuff, then we’d have the time and freedom to follow our dreams.
I gave up nearly everything in my wardrobe, my car, shelves of books and hundreds of other things to follow my dream of living in Japan for a year and traveling around Asia. Now I’m doing and seeing the kinds of things I thought only existed through a TV screen. I get to meet the most fascinating people, eat the most simple and yet fresh and delicious food, and go to the see the most beautiful places. I’m happier now than I ever was owning all of those things people told me would ‘make me happy’.
It was totally worth standing up, going against the flow and making a change. Minimalists may have less stuff, but we definitely have more of what life is made of.
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Jessica is minimalist who likes traveling, photography and has a tiny obsession with Japan. If you want to find out what she is up to on her minimalist journey, check out her blog Minimal Student. You could also find her on Twitter.
Jay says
Great blog! Thank you for the article and advice. Last year, at 44, I came face to face with a nasty separation after 25 years with my wife. I was instantly downsized by more than half. I quickly lost half of what I had left, and 3 months ago I lost my car in the aftermath of this split. I found a decent bicycle on Craigslist and bought it. It had been 30 years since I rode a bike. I rigged it up with bags and satchels for commuting, and it’s been my only transportation since. I’ve now rode it through massive rain storms, 18 inches of snow in one falling, 10 miles with Christmas gifts strapped to the back, etc… I grocery shop on it, I commute every day to work on it. I love it. I can’t get enough. It’s saved my life. Sadly, I don’t get to see my son as much. He’s my world. I will need to get an old local runner type car, so I can see him more. But I will continue to minimize while I teach him the value of less.
Ashley Baldwin says
I love this! In the beginning, it seems so scary, but with time, having less gives you so much more. Everything I own is in my suitcase, allowing my family and I have the freedom to be global citizens. It’s a beautiful thing.
Ashley
ren says
As I was packing up stuff for charity, I was also thinking about a few things I need to get to replace worn clothing, going with classic pieces in blacks, creams, grays. Thought I could use some light colored pants and then realized I already own a pair, never worn. Would’ve never realized it if I hadn’t been minimizing and taking fresh look in closet.
Today included taking dead summer plants to village rubbage heap, and straightening up closet in basement. Summer clothes put away. Hung tote bags up in closet. Everything is step, no matter how small.
ren says
started tackling the most time consuming portion of my organizing and weeding out process, my very large and very unorganized photos, seriously thousand and thousands of photos from last 30 years. decided that only way I can do this job is in small bites and will take me weeks and prob months. just looking at the mess produces anxiety. But I am bound and determined to live clutter free life and end goal is to not leave my children with job of going thru a life time of my possessions.
Susan M says
I am a minimalist and still have appointments to keep, many commitments and drive a car (thank goodness). Being a minimalist gives me the time I need to take my 3 kids with special needs to doctor appointments, Special Olympics and their work. No way this would happen without our trusty van. Less stuff in our house means more time with my kids. Simple foods, 2 kids have Celiac disease, makes everyone more healthy. Also being a minimalist at 67 looks different from being a minimalist at 27. I confess when I fall into bed at night I do watch TV because I am too tired to do much else. Maybe I will learn another language…
ren says
Maybe your language could be “MOM, you are doing a great job!!” :)
Neville Bendiola says
Great read! Inspiring
Henry Leong says
Good
Kat says
My hubby and I gave up everything in 2012 and left to travel he world. We spent the last 2+ years living our travel dreams and enjoying adventures together, hand in hand. The courage to give it all up, live simply, and follow our true passions was the best choice we have ever made.
M. Y. Bimrose says
Great reading. My aim for easing my workload.
Lisa says
Wow, this really resonated with me. I’ve only discovered minimalism a few months ago but already it has changed my life. I’m so much happier and feel lighter. Thanks for this well written and motivating article. You have a new follower. All the best to you.