Embracing the Minimalist Lifestyle

Embracing a minimalist lifestyle does not mean living in a home with few furnishings, having a recirculated wardrobe of 10 items, living in a monochromatic empty, lifeless space, or even ‘going without’. Enjoying a minimalist lifestyle actually means ’gaining’ more.

Why Become a Minimalist?

After a sea change 3 years ago, we definitely realised we had too many material possessions. Yes there were many beautiful memories associated with most of the things we had held on to and stored eg my childrens’ first teeth, every kindergarten painting, craft supplies, old golf clubs, sporting equipment, the list goes on. I felt totally overburdened by the accumulation and even more overwhelmed – what I was going to do with it all? All of this ‘stuff’ had probably been sighted once in 10 – 15 years.

Try This Easy Way To Simplify.

Take pictures (of all their school reports, certificates, achievements, dental records – before and after braces (yep!) and any other miscellaneous items that tugged on the heart strings. Upload them onto the computer, and find a photobook business you like eg Officeworks or snapfish. Photobooks are much, much thinner than photo albums, their pages are not photosensitive, therefore do not deteriorate like photographs do, you can be as creative (or not) as you like with the layout and size and are self paced, They will also make brilliant presents that I know will be loved, appreciated, valued and become family heirlooms.

Our children, all of whom have ‘flown the coup’, loath unnecessary stuff too. Funny though, they didn’t want us to get rid of their sentimental items, but at the same time, didn’t want to store it themselves!

Any other items that were not worthy of putting into pictures had a process of elimination. Ask yourself the following questions.

1. is it necessary

2. is it functional

3. is it useful

4. is it a duplicate

5. do you love it

6. do you value it

7. do you appreciate it

8. Is it beautiful

If any of the answers were ‘no’, out it went. This wasn’t easy at first, but It worked and best of all with no regrets.

Less is so much more!

We have gained so much by living a minimalist lifestyle. It wasn’t an entirely quick process, and a few attempts were made however, living a minimalist life is, after all, less about the things you remove and more about the things you keep. It’s easy to discard what was once a burden when you accept this. We literally feel lighter.

We can now invite in what really matters – relationships, contentment, new hobbies. Where there was once too much brain space taken up by either pursuing material possessions, accumulating them, where to store them and even how to discard them without guilt.

Now there is space and peace – you’ll discover this truth once you start the process. Less really is more.