Minimalism, huh! Does the word sound familiar to you? Many will say "No," and some might say "Hmm, kinda, heard something like that." I myself only recently learned about the concept of Minimalism, and let me tell you what! I was surprised! I was almost captivated by this Minimalism philosophy. It was so simple, genuine, and non-hypocritical that it really made me question my understanding of life, and my ability to let go of things I owned, possessions, and material things I had accumulated with my hard-earned money and time.

AI generated image of a boy reading a book in a chair in front of a window in a room

Image credit @ Copilot AI software by Microsoft (A Guide to Minimalism)

A Guide to Minimalism | What to Keep and What to Let Go

Last weekend, just like any other weekend, I was sincerely exploiting my night hours to gorb on to my OTT content quota. While browsing for the best, I was scrolling across the endless pages of maybe one, no, two... no, no, three... or maybe four OTT platforms! But damn! I was miserably lost on what content to watch and what to let go of. There were thousands of movies, series, TV shows, documentaries, and whatnot, yet I was greatly numb! Without wiggling a limb, I was like, worn out! In fact, I was bored, disinterested, and fuddled up. That night, I chose nothing and slept...

AI generated image of a boy looking into mobile screen

Image credit: Copilot designer AI software of Microsoft (A guide to Minimalism)

Enlightened on the next day, the same thing occurred to me; I opened my little cabinet and tried to grab a book, but again I got overwhelmed looking at the number of books catalogued side-by-side and a few piled up there. At least 50 books were there, and over 15 were unread! Poor me! I wanted to read one and there were 15. So I sighed and asked my wife to choose one for me...

Then as the days followed, every now and then, I came across this similar feeling; I possess so much, and yet I am confused and not as happy as I should be? Over the time, these two hard-hitting quotes confronted me and forced me to research what this experience was.

"The things you own end up owning you" by Tyler Durden in the Hollywood movie, Fight Club.
“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” -Will Rogers, 1879.

So I knew that unknowingly, I was experiencing the same phenomenon, the very same that we are going to discuss now. In simple words, I was sarcastically hit by Minimalism at that very moment (s), something that I couldn't figure out back then.

So what was next? I did the self-searching; And, I was flabbergasted by realizing that I possessed 5 TWS Bluetooth for my phone but used only one, I changed 6 smartphones in the last 3.5 years but had no solid reason to do so, I shifted to 4 different cars in the last 15 years that cost me a lot, I had over 80 applications in my phone but I used barely 5 to 6 applications daily, I had my wardrobe full of clothes but a few among them were still seated in there since many years, I had five to six pairs of footwears but two among them I was not putting on since a year, I had coils and coils of wires, bundles of charging cables, a swimwear that I wore only once, 6 sets of spectacles but only one was at work, I had subscribed to at least 6-7 OTT platforms which were unable to pacify me, and I had unlimited internet WIFI connection at home (despite having more than 250 GB of data that keeps on rolling over every month) just to feel connected. But this is not it, the the list is never-ending!

Ai generated image of a man feeling frustrated by looking at mess in his room

Image credit: Copilot designer AI software of Microsoft (A Guide to Minimalism)

But why am I admitting to all this? Because, I want to sensitize you on how much that you own, possess, or store actually serves the purpose, actually adds value to your life, strongly offers a reason to be there, and finally crafts you to be a meaningful, judicial, and minimalistic human being!

DID YOU FEEL SO?

Well, I don't know for sure, but one thing is certain: you have all experienced this feeling at some point, even if you haven't acknowledged it yet.

So Minimalism is "deliberate decluttering, organizing, and prioritizing your things, stuff, materials, and even your thoughts, holding on to only those objects that serve the purpose, add value, and give meaning to your life and letting go of those that overwhelm you, obfuscate you, and drag you down, even the relationships".

This doesn't mean that I am suggesting to let go of all the "maya" we are entitled to and become a yogi. Believe me, this is impossible when we are living in a world teeming with all the glitter and gold.

Alright, make a list of what brings you joy, keep what's essential, and let go of the unwanted. Easy, right? Well, not so as it sounds but it is not impractical.

Plus, it is important to note that embracing Minimalism does not entail seclusion or confining oneself to a lifestyle that hinders the full experience of one's passions and the joys of existence, including maintaining connections with friends, family, the world, and nature. Instead, it involves creating space, cherishing every small moment and possession, adopting a need-based approach, finding contentment in owning less, and deriving pleasure and meaning from this intentional approach to ownership.

BUT WHY TO BECOME A MINIMALIST?

"Why?". Yes, it was only at the age of forty that I was enlightened by my life about the importance of "Why?". This is the question every single person must not only ask but also ponder upon before committing to an action, and if there is no guaranteed outcome to the question, then your action would lack the soul. Although you knew what Minimalism is, you must still ask why you should become a Minimalist. The answer(s) is here!

The less you own, the less you spend, and so the more financially free you are.
The less clutter you have, the less stress you feel, and so the more mentally free you are.
The better you choose to eat and consume, the more physically free you become.
The less mess and noise you have, the more hygienically free you are.
The quicker you cut toxic relations, the quicker you prioritize your bonds, and so the more emotionally free you are.
The more you tame yourself to seek meaning, the more you appreciate the things you own, and so the more internally free you are.
The less you buy, the less consumerism and pollution there will be, and the more environmentally free you are.
The more you clean, organize, and produce, the more occupationally free you are.

And the merits are ever-expanding if you choose to become a Minimalist.

WHAT TO KEEP AND WHAT TO LET GO OF?

In the first place, the question itself looks so damn hard, isn't it? How could someone, even I, let go of things that I owned with my money, relations I am a part of, stuff for which I brag about, status I die to sustain, and thoughts I am comfortable with? Better to do nothing than just let go of them; I mean what's the loss? Maybe nothing, but there is no gain either! But surprisingly, this is the only attitude that offers more if you focus on less!

Items/ Objects/ Things/ Materials/ Stuff, you name it, but keep only those which serve a purpose. Anything in your room, on your desk, in your kitchen, inside your drawer, in your wardrobe, in the backyard, in the front yard, in the car, on the roof, in the basement, in the refrigerator, or even in your mental space that does not propose a peculiar job is the thing you should let go of for now. Things seated idle or dead for future perspective, but lack emotional value, too, should be relinquished.

Things that often bring joy, flourish smile on your face, pacify you, and add value to your life should be cherished, but those stuff that induce no feeling inside of you should be unhanded.

Objects that you didn't forget and are connected via your memory should be kept, even though they have to be called as "antiques". If they are in your memory even today, that means they have the meaning; they still have the value.

You can let go of stuff that are in copies, that are extra and still do the same job, and that are there seated dead in your containers.

You can let go of things that are unmendable, but keep those that have the scope of mending. As per the Japanese concept- kintsugi, mended items look even more beautiful and add an auspicious quotient to them.

So, I won't narrate items that you should keep or let go, because it is you and only who must decide based on the guide I just incorporated in this blog.

If you still find it difficult, then take a walk through your own home, workplace, and storage spaces and it will be easy to see what number of items you own that truly make sense in your life. Make a list, categorise them, and be brave in jettisoning them one by one, if not at the same time. Eventually, your money, joy, space, and mental peace will expand, because you tapered onto your possessions.

So start your Minimalist Journey today, and start with one small step as you go on.

SMALL STEPS

Look at your desk and decide: Does it look messy? How many things have been there for ages you even haven't touched? Is it tidy enough? Are your drawers and cabinets of your desk stuffed with things you have no clue about? Yes?... Do Minimalism.

Look at your Bedroom and Decide: How many things are seated there purposelessly? Is your bedsheet creased? Is your bedroom clean? Is your wardrobe swelling with stuff? Are they orderly arranged? Yes?... Do Minimalism.

Look at your Washrooms and decide: How many used but empty toothpaste are still there waiting to get discarded? Does your washroom stink? Is this the place you choose to visit the least? Yes?... Do Minimalism.

Look inside of your Car and Decide: Does it need to be dusted, cleaned and polished? Does it stink? How many things are dumped unnecessarily on the back seat and you have forgotten about them? Is the glove compartment packed breathlessly? Yes?... Do Minimalism.

That is all; start with such small steps, put them into habits, and then begin with broader steps to look at your business, relations, and thoughts.

AI generated image of a man looking happy after making his room clean

Image credit: Copilot designer AI software of Microsoft (A Guide to Minimalism)

I hope IdeologyInk was able to make a point and could guide you on how Minimalism can positively impact the life of a person. However, this is not everything IdeologyInk could deliver. If you wish to learn practical tips on how you can apply Minimalism to your life and leverage using its merit, do let me know in the comment box.

💥Recommended readings and video(s) by IdeologyInk:

👉Visit this website of Emmy-nominated Netflix stars and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus, and T.K. Coleman, known collectively as The Minimalists.

👉Do watch their documentary series streaming on one of the biggest OTT platforms, named "The Minimalists: Less Is Now"