Minimalism as a lifestyle: where to start getting acquainted

• September 13, 2018
• Life style
• Natalie M

In the unprecedented bustle of gray everyday life, a person exhausts himself with various excesses. Tens and hundreds of unnecessary objects and things, as well as an improperly organized daily routine put pressure on a person, while leaving no room for his own personal space. What if we take this lifestyle and radically change it? Just recently, one new, although not very clear, direction came into fashion, which is called minimalism. An increasing number of people began to make a choice in favor of minimalism in things and in life in general. And we can say that there is a large drop of sanity in this.

What is minimalism in things and in life?

Many may think that in this case we are talking about some kind of savings. But this is far from true. The main idea of ​​minimalism in things and in life is not an attempt to save money, but for a person to give up various excesses. Even if it seemed that life was too boring and monotonous for there to be various excesses in it, then this could be self-deception. You should look back and sensibly assess the whole situation, all these objects that surround a person. Do you really believe that most of these items and things in your life are so necessary? Most likely, the answer to this question will be negative. In other words, minimalism in things and in life allows a person to look at the world with different eyes, and also understand the level of his own delusion.

It is also worth noting that in this case we are not talking about simplicity of life. Speaking about minimalism in everything, you should pay attention to the fact that here you can give preference to unpretentious and laconic styles in the interior, clothing, and other areas. But here it is necessary to speculate: is a closet full of classic outfits a refusal of excess?

A person, as a rule, limits himself to things, almost the same as memories, accumulating them in a large lump. Over time, this turns into a kind of addiction. Minimalism in everything is like a philosophy of life - this direction can be called a kind of key to a person’s inner freedom.

Clean where there is no litter

The last point is the simplest. This is the transformation that will happen if you introduce the previously stated principles into your life. Freed from the hustle and bustle, anxiety, and constant race, more productive thoughts will begin to come to mind. There will be a chance to finally think about what you really want to do. Time and money will appear for desired hobbies, travel, and self-development.

The minimalist style includes many directions. Some are adherents of minimalism in clothing, while others are close to its basic principles in interior design. The spread of the now fashionable proper nutrition and various forms of vegetarianism, I think, is also one of the types of minimalism.

Reasons for the popularity of minimalism

The desire to reduce the flow of information that literally covers a person’s head is considered a completely natural desire. People in such chaos feel pressure from absolutely all sides, from which they want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Imagine that someone locked you in a cramped and dark box, leaving only a small gap for air to penetrate. Surely such an environment will quickly cause fear, apathy, panic, and for some it may also cause claustrophobia.

But why do people clutter their own lives with various unnecessary things? Many experts say that the issue here lies in the lack of information that people have experienced for many centuries. With the advent of the progressive age, mankind has many different opportunities. Every inhabitant of our planet can enjoy this information storm and, of course, wants to get as much as possible from it. However, over time, people become a little cramped in such an environment. This is how minimalism emerged in all areas of life. It has become fashionable to organize order in things and in life, thus freeing your mind from various accumulated garbage in it.

Just 20 years ago, people preferred to hang carpets on their walls in their apartments, put magnets on refrigerators, and put lace napkins on tables for decoration. Now it is fashionable to live in half-empty rooms, in which there is only one closet in the corner, and the necessary things for life are hidden in it. The same can be said about clothes: for a person to look good, he only needs to wear a plain T-shirt and high-quality jeans.

The benefits of minimalism

In some cases, fashion presents humanity with unusual solutions, which often turn out to be meaningless. It is for this reason that many people may be wary of minimalism in all areas of life. But how else can we begin to perceive this current? How to not depend on things? Minimalism for women can be a little intimidating, since it is the fair sex who surround themselves with many different things and details. But in fact, this rubbish in modern life is an anchor that pulls a person down. That is why it is so necessary to get rid of this anchor in your life. But is it really so bad when you have a lot of things at home? Minimalism has several advantages, which are as follows:

1. When a person gets rid of unnecessary junk in his apartment, his thoughts begin to clear. After this, he does not need to worry about any additional costs, as well as about protecting his own priceless property. Thanks to this, you can get rid of frequent stress and free your mind for the most important things.
2. Money begins to be spent less when a person avoids unnecessary things. The principle of minimalism, in a sense, is about saving. Although this is not the main idea of ​​this direction, this advantage still cannot be disputed. The money that a person constantly spends on unnecessary things could be invested in developing his own business or in some other profitable business.
3. Free time to spend on family or self-improvement. With a large number of obligations that people come up with for themselves, it is absolutely impossible to find time for what they love. Minimalism in life and in things helps a person understand how important close people are to him, as well as the opportunity to self-develop and improve.
4. Reducing external pressure. To the person who understands how to achieve minimalism in things, people stop offering all sorts of unnecessary rubbish.

Is it hard to live like this?

Answer the question: How many things do you take with you when traveling? As a rule, in this case people are divided into two camps. Some people necessarily pack a large suitcase and a hiking backpack, while also worrying about whether they forgot something with them. Others take only a small handbag with the most necessary things with them when traveling. And which of these people will feel much better during the trip? Of course, the person who belongs to the second group. As a rule, such people do not need to put any additional burden on their own shoulders. Such travelers can enjoy their trip without a huge packing list. Minimalism in this case is extremely useful in life.

And those people who take large suitcases with them must work hard. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that giving up everything unnecessary in your life is a very difficult task, but it is worth it. But cutting out unnecessary things while traveling is just the beginning of the minimalist journey. A minimum set of things for the home, for the wardrobe, and so on - this is where you need to start instilling in yourself the habit of this direction. Now it’s worth considering what the main rules of this lifestyle are.

Steps to a new life

So you've decided to become a minimalist. What should you do first? Psychologists recommend starting the process by going through your wardrobe and at the same time following the following principle: an item that has lain idle for one year definitely goes to another owner. Then you need to get rid of the accumulated textile trash and only then move on to the next stage.

Step-by-step plan on how to become a minimalist:

1. Get rid of unnecessary papers - old receipts, school notebooks, booklets.
2. Go through all available books.
3. Give away or sell uselessly stored toys, unused household appliances, and dishes.
4. Throw out of the house all accessories and literature for creative work that is no longer relevant for family members (this applies to recent primary school children).
5. Dispose of all “expired” items, from food to medicines and cosmetics.
6. Distribute to your friends all the accumulated souvenirs that have no practical use.
7. Remove excess furniture that clutters up useful space and does not meet its functionality.

This instruction is considered a necessary minimum for all followers of the idea of ​​minimalism, and you can learn further how to become an absolute adherent of the concept.

Basic rules of minimalism

How to get by with little? Minimalism in things and in life implies adherence to 3 basic rules, which are as follows:

1. If a person buys more unnecessary things, this does not mean that in this way he will live better. It is necessary to learn to look at the beauty in the small, while giving preference to those items that will be used rationally.
2. Happiness does not lie in valuable things or money. Therefore, you should not paint your own life for the acquisition of any next trinket. That is why, adhering to minimalism, the Japanese throw away unnecessary things. For them, this rule is familiar.
3. Quality will always trump quantity. This suggests that it is better to buy one thing that is truly worthwhile than a large number of different rubbish.

We save about 2500 - 3000 rubles on packages

We use reusable packaging - eco-bags, containers, straws.

Instead of disposable shoe covers, we use durable shoe covers made of raincoat fabric. The cling film was replaced with wax napkins. We abandoned household chemicals in favor of environmentally friendly detergents. According to my calculations, we save about 2500 - 3000 rubles on packages.

We are not giving up plastic completely.

. If a container or bag is found, it is reused. Everything we have can be reused, thus reducing our eco-footprint.

About prospects

Minimalism is a healthy habit with which we shape the future. As a blogger, father and citizen, I am confident that minimalism, within reasonable limits, should be instilled in everyone.

On November 1, together with my subscribers, I launched an online eco-quest #Making the Future2019.

Each of us can influence the world. Things that seem small at first glance, multiplied by long-term habits, will be expressed in absolute numbers.

I have reduced my consumption and sort my garbage at home and recycle it.

Without a radical transition to living without zero waste, I reduced its amount by two and a half times. Our entire family throws 300 kilograms less into landfill per year.

The main principles of minimalism

For a person to completely change his thinking, he needs a lot of time and effort. Minimalism in things and in life is not just an idea, but a whole philosophy that a person must sincerely believe in. It implies the following principles:

1. No unnecessary items. This suggests that it is necessary to get rid of those things that a person really does not need in life.
2. Correct prioritization. A person must also be able to determine what is most important to him in life. For example, family, career. The main priority should be what can make a person truly happy.
3. There should always be room for positive emotions in life. When a person brings order to his thoughts, he must also remember to leave room for joy in them. When one has managed to get rid of the excesses of life, this does not mean that a person must learn to exist in emptiness. After this, you need to learn how to correctly fill these voids in your head.
4. Every little detail is important. Every detail, every perfect action in life must carry some meaning in itself. Minimalism in life, as well as in things, will always accompany rationalism.
5. The desire for progress. Thoughts free from trifles should be directed towards constant self-improvement and self-knowledge. Minimalism will never be perfect enough. A person should strive to create an ideal order in his own life, constantly editing and revising everything that happens in it.
6. There is no need to become attached to objects and things. Only close people should evoke real emotions. When a person develops his relationships, he develops himself. Excessive attachment to various things makes a person too mundane and deprives him of the opportunity to truly live.

Tips for advanced minimalists

Constantly staying in a confined space of material wealth deprives a person of the opportunity to develop spiritually, and also limits his freedom of movement. Since completely giving up property in modern society means falling out of society, advanced minimalists try to reduce the list of their property as much as possible.

How to become a minimalist in life:

• change the living space to a smaller one if the current apartment seems too spacious or taking care of the property does not allow you to focus on more important tasks;
• give up your own car, freeing up more time and eliminating the cost of car care;
• get rid of the TV and computer (if you don’t need it for work).

The most difficult problem for a beginning and developing minimalist may be the misunderstanding of loved ones and their reluctance to follow the rules of the concept, which contradict the usual concepts of the norm. Living under the same roof with opponents of the system will complicate many tasks, but within the confines of one’s own room a person can organize the space the way he wants.

Freeing up physical space

The desire to get rid of various rubbish, as well as gluttony, are the main ideas that prevent people from living peacefully in harmony. First, a person acquires things that will not carry any value, and then he begins to throw them away. Even worse is when people start hoarding such rubbish somewhere on the mezzanine, until better times. However, these better times, as a rule, never come.

That is why it is necessary to ensure that nothing superfluous exists in physical space. Minimalism in things and in life, as mentioned earlier, should manifest itself in rationalism. This means that, for example, an armchair, bed, or soft corner can be replaced with one large sofa. On it a person can watch TV, sleep, drink tea with his guests. At the same time, additional space is freed up in the room.

If you think carefully, the world around a person offers him much more than he needs to satisfy his basic needs.

Less is more

The topic of clothes and women is an eternal topic. It is known that there is nowhere to fold, nothing to wear. I recently realized that I tried to persuade myself to buy some things. It’s fashionable now, we need to change the style and in general, there won’t be such discounts anymore. It sits fine! And now, you have a heap of packages at home, but the joy in your soul and the money in your wallet are as if it never happened. Going to the shopping center to buy “at least something” is no longer my story. I absolutely refuse to go into a store unless I'm going to buy something. It’s much more pleasant to choose a day, maybe go to another city and choose a couple of quality things that you really like. If these are natural fabrics, the right cut, then due to long wear, such shopping will also save you a certain amount.

Orientation in the information space

One of the most dangerous modern weapons lies in advertising. People take the bait and at the same time stop using their logic. They no longer think about whether the product is really as important as the manufacturers describe it. However, the worst thing is that some advertised products turn out to be potentially dangerous to human health, and many do not notice this fact. People buy, for example, unhealthy carbonated drinks, although they could drink natural juice.

To adhere to minimalism in life, a person must listen to common sense. Bright inscriptions and photos on billboards and leaflets should not control a person’s logic, so you need to think more rationally before buying any thing. In addition, you need to watch your speech. You should try to express your thoughts as concisely and concisely as possible, since unnecessary words will distort the essence of what was said, and in some cases may lead to misunderstanding. Clear speech, free from various meaningless sentences, is more effective than ordinary chatter.

When a person learns to filter the information that comes to him, he will be able to obtain much more benefits for himself, as well as get rid of clutter in his physical space.

Emotions and minimalism

A person must make room for his own emotions, leaving minimalism in life and things. The absence of everything unnecessary in life means the absence of unjustified purchases, useless activities and meaningless experiences. When a person protects himself from information and material rubbish, he is insured against constant stress in life. In this way, he opens the way for real knowledge of emotions. At the same time, people begin to feel exactly what is most important, without focusing on some superficial sensations.

In general, the emotional sphere of people can be compared to a musical instrument. When a person constantly plays on the wrong strings, the instrument can simply become out of tune. The same can be said about human emotions. Endless aggression and fear leave no room in a person for true feelings: love and joy. Therefore, people must free themselves from various meaningless activities, exposing the most tender strings of their souls.

Financial management

And now it’s worth talking in more detail about how to correctly and competently allocate your own funds. When a person begins to live according to the rules of minimalism, he will have to reduce his expenses. In other words, you need to turn on the economy mode. But in this case, there is again a contradiction. Is limiting your needs exactly what minimalism in things and in life should lead to?

The main motto of a minimalist person should be: “Nothing superfluous.” Therefore, we can say that minimalism has nothing in common with saving. A person should not sacrifice needs when he begins to live according to the rules of minimalism. In this case, you just need not to indulge your whims. After this, many people are surprised at how easily they can live, while doing without monthly purchases of things, another magazine and a smartphone. One of the advantages of a minimalist approach to money is that in the near future it will be possible to accumulate some amount of money saved that can be used for good purposes.

Now you have an idea of ​​what minimalism looks like in things and in life. A person must learn to be content with little so that he can be truly happy.

Cost control

How to become a minimalist and thrifty owner? Controlling expenses is an essential part of the idea of ​​getting rid of everything unnecessary, but there is a big difference between the frugality of an economist and the reasonable approach to spending of a fan of the concept. By limiting himself in purchases, a minimalist does not feel regret, and uses the accumulated funds for intangible benefits - for example, travel or education.

To better understand where your money is going and find ways to cut unnecessary expenses, you need to train yourself to write down your expenses every day. In a few days it will become clear which resource is consuming the searcher's budget the most. It is very important not to stop monitoring your spending, constantly analyzing the necessity of each episode of your purchasing activity.