📗 Understand
✦
25 juil. 2024
✦
5 min read
Do you feel overwhelmed by distractions, consumerism, or the attention economy suffocating you with Shorts and Reels? Maybe it's time to switch to a Minimalist lifestyle. But are you ready? Let's find out together!
It's clear that minimalists are not prominently featured in the media. Often described as outliers, they are frequently portrayed negatively, sprinkled with personal value judgments, reflecting only the fear of missing out on something. But before diving deeper, let's define what a "minimalist" lifestyle is to ensure we're on the same page.
Minimalism is a lifestyle that emphasizes the notion of "less but better." In other words, focusing on fewer things (especially material possessions) but with significant emotional value or deemed essential.
"Love people, use things. The opposite never works." —The Minimalists
Interested? Perfect, let's continue!
What is a Minimalist Lifestyle?
Minimalism has its roots in ancient philosophies and practices like Stoicism, which advocated self-control, simplicity, and moderation. Stoics believed that true wealth came from simplicity and freedom from material desires.
In the late 20th century, minimalism emerged as a lifestyle in response to overconsumption and the increasing complexity of modern life. Books like “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau, which recounts his experience of simple living in the woods, influenced this trend.
More recently, modern minimalism has also been influenced by Japanese culture, which values simplicity and clean aesthetics. Marie Kondo, with her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” had a global impact by promoting decluttering and the joy that essential items bring.
Today, the minimalist lifestyle is based on five core pillars:
Decluttering: A central practice of minimalism is getting rid of non-essential items to keep only those that bring value or joy.
Thoughtful Purchases: Minimalists practice conscious shopping, prioritizing quality over quantity and avoiding impulsive purchases.
Simplicity in Daily Life: Adopting simple routines, organizing living spaces functionally and cleanly, and reducing digital distractions are key aspects of minimalism.
Prioritizing Experiences: Minimalists emphasize experiences and relationships over material possessions, valuing moments lived and memories created.
Environmental Impact: Minimalism advocates for responsible and sustainable consumption, reducing the ecological footprint by minimizing waste and choosing durable products.
But What are the Benefits of Choosing this Lifestyle?
Opting for a minimalist lifestyle means making concessions, choices, and decisions that may initially generate frustration.
"The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life." —Marie Kondo
Because the society we live in promotes consumption, growth, and the possession of material goods, it's like swimming against the current. Yet, when you look at the list of benefits…
😥 Reduction of Stress and Anxiety
Less Clutter: A decluttered living space can reduce visual and mental stress, creating a calmer and more soothing environment.
Simplicity: Simplifying life allows you to focus on the essentials and avoid unnecessary distractions, which can reduce anxiety.
😶🌫️ Greater Mental Clarity and Better Productivity
Fewer Distractions: An uncluttered workspace or living area facilitates concentration and productivity.
Task Prioritization: Adopting a minimalist approach teaches you to manage your time and priorities better, improving efficiency.
💸 Financial Savings
Fewer Expenses: Reducing impulsive purchases and focusing on essentials can lead to significant savings.
Simplified Financial Management: Fewer possessions and unnecessary expenses make budgeting easier and help avoid debt.
🫶 Better Quality of Life
Focus on Experiences: By prioritizing experiences and lived moments over material goods, you can enrich your life with memories and deeper relationships.
Freedom and Flexibility: Fewer material possessions allow for a more liberated life, with fewer attachments and constraints.
🍃 Positive Environmental Impact
Reduced Consumption: Adopting a minimalist lifestyle leads to consuming less and more responsibly, reducing the ecological footprint.
Less Waste: Fewer unnecessary purchases also mean less waste, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
🤝 Improvement of Relationships
Quality Time: Focusing less on material possessions and more on relationships can improve the quality of interactions with loved ones.
Fewer Conflicts: Reducing materialism can decrease conflicts related to money and possessions within relationships.
💗 Personal Development
Self-discipline: Adopting a minimalist lifestyle requires discipline and reflection, which can strengthen willpower and self-control.
Personal Growth: By getting rid of the unnecessary, you make room for activities and passions that truly enrich your life.
If these points have convinced you and you now want to know more about how to adopt a simpler, more minimalist lifestyle, here's how to get started:
🧹 Start with Decluttering
Sort Your Possessions: Review your belongings and separate what you use regularly, what brings you joy, and what is truly necessary. Donate, sell, or recycle the rest.
Gradual Approach: Focus on one room or category of items at a time (clothes, books, etc.) to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
🧠 Adopt Thoughtful and More Conscious Shopping Habits
Think Before Buying: Ask yourself questions before each purchase: Do I really need it? Does it bring value to my life?
Quality over Quantity: Choose quality items that will last longer rather than cheap and disposable products.
🛋️ Simplify Your Living Space
Clean Spaces: Keep your living area well-organized and free of unnecessary items. Use storage solutions to avoid clutter.
Minimalist Decoration: Opt for simple and functional decor, with a few meaningful elements rather than an excess of ornaments.
⏱️ Manage Your Time and Commitments
Prioritize Activities: Identify the activities that truly matter to you and eliminate unnecessary commitments that don't bring you satisfaction.
Personal Time: Allocate time for personal activities, relaxation, and reflection.
📲 Simplify Your Digital Life
Digital Decluttering: Sort through your files, emails, and apps. Delete what's unnecessary and organize the rest.
Limit screen time: Set boundaries for your use of digital devices and prioritize offline activities. To help with this, you can try the Jomo app for free, available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With the app, you can apply the "Conscious Usage" method to your most distracting apps. The idea is to block these apps by default, and when you try to open them, indicate why you want access, for how long, and then have them blocked again once the time is up.
An excellent way to use certain apps, like social networks, in a thoughtful and controlled manner. They often praise consumption (let's not even talk about the fast fashion trends!).
🥾 Focus on Experiences Rather Than Possessions
Invest in Experiences: Prefer spending your money on experiences (travel, courses, outings) rather than on material objects.
Meaningful Moments: Spend time with loved ones, engage in activities you're passionate about, and create lasting memories.
Values and Goals: Clarify your values and life goals to ensure that your actions and possessions align with what's truly important to you.
Practice Gratitude: Learn to appreciate what you already have rather than always seeking more.
If you've been captivated by minimalism and this new lifestyle, don't hesitate to watch the documentary on YouTube. In the meantime, if there's one thing to remember: don't succumb to societal dictates. If you want to own less, it won't make you less happy than someone who owns everything. As the saying goes, "money doesn't buy happiness."
