We have compiled a selection of the most frequently asked questions about minimalism in one Q&A article. So, what’s the most exciting thing for newbie minimalists?
This is not for me. I love to live well and do not deny myself anything
Minimalism is not synonymous with asceticism. There are people who are happy to combine these styles of life. Which does not mean that the first is impossible without the second.
In fact, minimalism can be a wonderful helper in a good life. After all, what is pleasant about the mountains of unloved things around?
Decluttering helps you discover important items and desires. You seem to be dusting off the Genie lamp. What will come of it in your case is not to be known in advance.
Often, aspiring minimalists are rekindled with a revived passion for a long-forgotten hobby or venture into what they’ve always secretly wanted to do. These can be big decisions that completely change direction in life or small things that improve the quality of everyday life at the level of a single day.
But I love expensive and high-quality things …
We too. And we perfectly exist as minimalists. Even more: throwing out all this unworn trash from sales we realized that we were spending much more on savings than could on quality. Now one good carefully thought out and carefully chosen thing replaces a dozen spontaneous ones.
There is another view of minimalism, which is behind the fact that you should not pay attention to material things at all, because all the same, happiness lies in another area. The followers of this school prefer to get by with cheaper things, are fond of recycling, finding the second and third use of objects as something else. They fix clothes as long as they are repaired and hunt for discounts and super deals. And the released funds are fully invested in dreams – around the world, their own startup, a family nest in the mountains.
We sympathize with this approach, although we do not profess it. People who adjust their lifestyle for one great goal cannot but inspire.
It’s up to you to decide which version you prefer, but minimalism doesn’t necessarily mean giving up on quality.
Why minimalism?
Consumption is an element of an unspoken contract of existence in society. We create ourselves, and in return, we use what others create. There is nothing wrong with this model. But its modern interpretation is scary.
The world increasingly resembles the imagination of Aldous Huxley. The marketing buzz is getting more sophisticated, and the number of ” vital ” items grows with each new high-profile premiere on the market.
We also do not like to deny ourselves everything. But this is not required. Minimalism is a deliberate approach to consumption, not a rejection of all the benefits of civilization. But awareness steadily leads to the understanding that you have many times more things than you need or really want to have.
Now we buy ten times less than two years ago, but every item is exactly what we want to see as part of my lifestyle.
What if I throw something away that I later regret?
Be sure to throw it away. And more than once.
Rather, throw away the things that you may need once after six months or a year. And then you have to get out – buy new, borrow, rent, or do without it at all.
You most likely would have done any of the above, even with that thing. If you do not control the number of belongings, then you may not remember about this item in time or not find it. So two or three identical things appear in the house.
Don’t you want to look good? How can you not want good-looking outfits?
What does “looking good” mean to you? Do you wear different jeans every day or just look great in them?
After switching to minimalism, we are much more satisfied with our appearance. Conscious consumption inspired us to better understand the topic of the wardrobe and choose each item more carefully. Although the quantity of things we have now is several times less, most of them are favorite and successful acquisitions. In fact, there is more choice.
What if it comes in handy?
What if not? And you will keep this thing at home for ten, twenty, thirty years, getting annoyed with the number of boxes at every move and exhausting yourself during general cleaning. Storing junk is stealing your energy and vitality.
Okay, I understand with clothes, but what about books? I can’t live without them!
We also. But not without books, without reading.
We reread thousands of books, but only a dozen of them truly change our outlook on life.
Why protect everyone else? Give them a second life. They can become one of those cherished dozen for someone else.
How to find a new owner for your books?
There are many options. Ask friends, post an ad on the Web, and finally leave it on the bookcrossing shelf. Newly opened cafes sometimes organize coffee-for-a-book promotions. Many hospitals announce a collection of readings for patients once a year. Get creative with this.
Getting rid of a thing with the understanding that it will still benefit someone is much more pleasant than just throwing it away.
What about all my snowboarding/yoga/cross stitch equipment?
Keep it unambiguously! On one condition – use it to the maximum!
Use the time freed from minimalist techniques to pursue your hobby or the realization of an old dream. Climb mountains with good equipment, dance salsa passionately in satin shoes, paint with quality paints, create your apps on modern computers. But do not let your hobby equipment be a sad graveyard of dead hopes, collecting dust in a place of honor in a closet or garage.
Use it! And if you don’t want to … do you really need it?
But I do wear all my clothes!
If everything triples you, then why are you reading this article?
Usually, clothing is the easiest start to decluttering. But there may be exceptions. If this is your case, just start with a different category.
Or try an experiment. Really wear whatever you have. Not once a year, but regularly. And watch your feelings. Favorite and not-so things will reveal themselves through your well-being in them.
But what about the memorabilia?
We remember the most important moments as it is. We usually have far fewer real memorabilia than weird vacation souvenirs and old school notebooks.
A collection of seashells from the sea or porcelain elephants from Thailand, driving them to delirium tremens every time they dust off, can go home. After all, honestly, they have long since sunk into oblivion.
Most of the fears and fears that have hampered us for years are resolved with one frank dialogue with our Self and a series of correct questions. If you have something – minimalism or any other topic – steadily arouses interest for months, and you don’t start to act, slow down, stay alone with yourself and be a coach to your mind. Sometimes all it takes is the right question. All the answers are already in ourselves.
