What is Minimalism? It can be summed up as living more with less.
First, we focus on the more part. Yes, more is part of it. It’s a life with more meaning, more time, more freedom. It’s about focusing on the important parts of life: your passions, your health, your happiness, your relationships and your purpose.
It’s about questioning what is important in life: what actually adds value? what is necessary? what is useless? It’s happiness through living life itself and not through the elusive happiness of things.
Now for the less part, it’s about clearing the clutter, the excess, the noise in your life. It’s about getting away from our consumer culture and the constant purchasing cycle of our throwaway society. It’s a tool to help you question what is truly important and what brings value to your life. Get rid of things you don’t use or need. Pass it on to someone in need or that will use it.
The great part about minimalism is that it can be applied differently to different people. It’s not prescriptive; there is not one set of rules. You must find what works best for you. It’s not about being perfect or preachy. It’s about living simply without too many unnecessary possessions. A life without endless distractions, clutter and waste.
Of course you can have nice things. It’s actually better to buy quality over quantity or disposables; consume less but better. Be mindful and question what you purchase and what impact it can have. Is it sustainable or will it be obsolete in no time? What’s the impact it can have on your life on others and the environment?
At the same time, we often give too much meaning to our things and forget the important things in life: your passions, your health, your happiness, your relationships and your purpose. Do products truly bring you long term joy?
In other words, some add value and some don’t. For example, a bicycle adds huge value to my life. It helps me get around, provides enjoyment, fitness and freedom. I still remember the fun and freedom it gave me as a kid. I still feel it to this day.
Remember, it’s a journey, you will be pushed and pulled in life and you will find your way. You can make a difference. Be mindful and realize your version of more with less.
To sum it up, question what’s important in life and enjoy living in the moment. Find your passion, your purpose and happiness. Enjoy more with less.
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Pat
Pat is a Ski Patroller/Avalanche Technician with a keen interest in design and sustainable living due to a longtime passion for the outdoors. Seeing glaciers melt, seasons change, summer skies full of smoke and beach pollution first hand, motivate him to make a difference.
As Yvon Chouinard Founder of Patagonia says “If you are not part of the solution, you are still part of the problem”.