“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15, NLT)
Have you ever been to a home that is so filled with “things” it makes your head spin just trying to take it all in? I think we all have. This is just one example of the opposite of a minimalist lifestyle. Minimalism, an American movement that started in the late 1950s, was focused mainly on the visual arts and music. Today, it has evolved into a movement that values quality rather than quantity, simplicity rather than scarcity, order instead of chaos. The phrase “less is more” has come to denote a reductionist approach in lifestyle, fashion, art, literature, home decor and even a person’s overall perspective on life.
Is minimalism a good thing?
Before I attempt to answer this question, let us look at the above definition from the point of view of someone who is ill and lives alone. This is even easier to visualize during this time of COVID-19. You are ill, live alone in a six-bedroom house, own 300 pairs of shoes—I saw a woman on TV who said she owns that many—and countless numbers of outfits. And because of the pandemic, you can’t call anyone to come out and help you. Or, you are a diabetic, but your home is so cluttered you have to dig out your glucometer and your medications from beneath a heap of stuff. Frustrating, isn’t it?
Is minimalism a bad thing
I have never liked clutter. In fact, I detest it. I want to be able to see my countertops, my tabletops, my floors and yes, my shoes, all 5 pairs of them. No, I actually have a lot more because I’m a shoe lover, but I wear the same 3 pairs over and over. I want to be able to go into my closet and quickly find the blouse I need. When I go shopping, I usually know what I’m going for, where I’m going to get it and how long I might stay. I very rarely go to the malls, but before COVID, when I did go, I went with a friend or family members, not to shop— although we do window shop—but just for the outing. So, I practice a minimalist lifestyle by choosing to acquire those things I need or those things that give me pleasure. I go places I want to go and with whom I want to go.
Minimalism and the pandemic
Many people are choosing a minimalist lifestyle out of necessity. So many people have lost their jobs and are in danger of losing their homes that it makes good sense to downsize to a smaller home, sell your car and use public transport until you are back on your feet. You may be able to get a sizable amount of cash just by selling unwanted items around the home—appliances, jewelry, shoes etc.—which you can use to pay off some debts. If this idea appeals to you, check out this site to see how you can sell some unwanted items.
Benefits of minimalism:
- It gives control over your time and your space
- It gives freedom
- It allows you to focus on your health
- It prevents overspending
- It helps you focus on what’s important
Minimalism may benefit you in other ways, but I believe it does have benefits for us all. As you read this article, I would like you to ponder over it and see if there are areas in your life where you can practice “less is more.” Remember, the goal of minimizing is to help you de-clutter your life and reduce stress. Therefore, you should take your time and plan what you can live without and what you want to keep. In order to help you along these lines, I am offering this booklet below. Just click on the link below and it will be on its way to you. Happy minimizing!
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