Minimalism.
One simple word. To put it in action, is a lot of effort and a lot to go through mentally.
It takes a lot to realize that what you want is not what you need. That possessions were a burden to bear. That purchasing things do not equal happiness. Greed mask themselves with necessity when it really means luxury.
Surely money can purchase happiness to some degree. When income increases, there comes all the things you think you need in order to live better. To resist the urge in cluttering our homes with shiny new things is difficult. We were never taught to want to live with less things, to focus on things other than material possessions.
Clutter drags you down. The time and attention put into maintain them, the distraction they give, is an illusion of more the merrier and that of plenty.
It is simple to say that possessions does not define a person who they are. Maybe a nice meal to take pictures of and post on social media. Maybe that could earn you some likes. It is ego that it is feeding into, not status.
The truth is, it is just for show. For vanity. Not even your mom will care if you have this new jacket or not. Who are we showing it to? Just ourselves.
There are certainly things we keep for sentimental value. There are things that we keep that is a luxury. Minimalism is not to declutter everything and live like a monk, it is to be mindful about what you let into your life.
Letting go of things can be hard. Some things were expensive and hurts to let go. The items that give this feeling when trying to get rid of, is a reminder of a poor decision made in the past. Whether it is money spent, travelling, a job that you hate, or past relationships. It is putting salt on wound.
Being mindful of what makes you want to keep something, tells a lot about your values. A collection of books that were never read, keeping them makes me feels knowledgeable. A collection of clothes that were never worn outside of the house, is telling myself that I am worthy of respect due to a style I was into. Useless gifts that were given by family and friends, that tells me I am a good person by keeping them around.
These things hold a higher value in myself than to others. Having them makes me feel great. That is the reason I want to buy things, they make me feel like I am a better person.
This correlation to status and possessions were taught to us from the beginning. We look up to people who own things that we do not.
To pull out a YSL wallet from a Balanciaga bag, and pay for a set of Dior cosmetics. This is what my co-workers were like.
I wonder how much money did hey spend on all this. They look very proud when they shows us these things.
Would I want all of that? Back than, yes. But now, no.
If I had them, I would have still wanted more. The new releases for the season. The on sale items that was never on sale. Another outfit for another occasion. A walk in closet to store all of that.
It is not about whether or not we are able to afford them, it is about whether or not be satisfied with what we have already own.
There is a trap that we put ourselves into when decluttering and embracing minimalism. Feeling bad that we cannot let things go. By having a picture of what minimalism would look like in our heads. Plain white walls, no decorations, just furnitures and a few books.
The fact that we may never achieve such a scene and love to have things around hurts when comparing our homes with this "ideal" minimalistic life.
That is not what minimalism should look like. Not having only two outfit and never buying new clothes. It is possible, but not what we should absolutely achieve.
The goal is knowing what is needed and therefore own less, not the other way around.
Stop buying more pairs of shoes, instead of throwing all of them away. It is not to shop for "the perfect pair of shoes" that you wear in every occasion. It is being mindful of which pair you actually wear and which you do not need.
Why do minimalism exist in the first place? What is it in the clutter that is dragging people down?
Is having a thing and not to think about it the same as not having the thing?
I feel like this is stepping into the psychological field.
The reason we think things are better than what they actually are is the picture we paint in our minds of what we will be with that item in our possession. More so if we tell ourselves how good it will look in the eyes of others.
A minimalistic view is pleasing to the eye. Clutter is a distraction. It gives an illusion of fulfilment when it is really not. The overly stimulated senses put us in stress and anxiety.
We tell ourselves that our lives are better when we purchase things, all thanks to consumerism. Social media and propaganda trigger us to consume things beyond our needs.
I have always believed in decluttering things makes life better. Partially because I live in a cluttered household.
I have never looked into minimalism as hard as I did few months back. Holding back desires that cannot be afforded, sure. Decluttering, sure. This happens, all the time.
It was when I realized that owning things that I do not need is mentally draining. I deleted as much files and apps on my phone and computer as possible.
Games makes me spend money on virtual items, therefore I deleted them. Scrolling through Facebook homepage and posts by brands makes me desire their products, so I unfollowed them. When the homepage is not cluttered with ads, it is much easier to search for things and be focused on it.
It was after doing all this that I feel like the pain of letting things go is microscopic comparing to the great satisfaction I get from decluttering.
There are things that I have yet gotten rid of. Given more time and mentally channel myself to focus less on wanting things, I will be able to let them go eventually.
I do allow myself to keep some things for sentimental value. Those were things that cannot be purchased like letters my friends wrote to me. I know I would be sad throwing them away, therefore I have them in a box and revisit them from time to time.
My desk is still a shrine of perfumes and books. I know it is possible to get rid of, but I haven't. Maybe, when they have had their time.
Decluttering and minimalism do not happen over night. Still, I have a lot to learn and evaluate.
What I found interesting is, there were things that I know I have a use of but still do not want them around. Because I do not need them everyday. Part of the reason having many things is stressful.
