Why I Switched, Minimalism
What Minimalism Has Taught Me and What it has to Teach You
It is kinda the new thing. Or one of the new things in spirituality. Minimalism. What is it, and why would you switch or try to implement it. It can bring freedom and
Moving a Lot
I moved three times in under two years. There were a lot of things I needed to cut from my life. Extra clothes or books and miscellaneous things. The pressure and work it took to sort through what would come to the next location or get left behind. What I would take first or last or between. Organizing the move of so many things is time consuming. It was a full time job organizing
Moving helped me to look at my belongings. I had to start removing what no longer served me from my space. Sounds spiritual but it was a matter of practicality. I don’t need these older clothing items now. I do not need this collection of sci-fi books. Or I don’t all this extra pasta hanging around.
In short this was a practical move.
Good for the Environment
Having fewer things or less is also better for the environment. Modern culture as many have written drives us to need and want more and more. It drives us to want things we do not have or do not need. Modern advertising has created wants that are incompatible with living simple and focused.
In Freedom of Simplicity Richard Foster suggests wearing our clothes until worn through. There is not much need to chase after fashion or status that wearing the latest clothing style can bring. Reducing out fashion footprint is a one way we can lessen our impact on the environment.
According to Well Dressed?, 60% of the energy used in the life cycle of a cotton T-shirt is postpurchase washing and drying. In 2014 consumers purchased 60% more clothing but kept those clothes half as long. For myself I found I am happier spending less time trying to keep up with fashion trends. Keeping my clothes longer is better for the environment too, or course.
Uncluttered My Energy
Many creators on TikTok or Youtube or any social media platform will often talk about how de-cluttering helps clear your energy. I plan to write more about this in a different article thus giving it a full airing. For myself, or course, I found having fewer things in my field or area helps me to relax and unwind.
When I owned a retail business my living area — my house — was often cluttered with books or clothes or mail or many other things. After work coming home to a cluttered home made it difficult for me to relax. I would come home and see projects to finish or clothes to clean or books to return to the library. I would see work in my safe place, my home. It was hard to relax during those times. Having less lets me focus on what is important to accomplish. I get more done when I have a cleaner less cluttered space.
I hope you found a reason or two to move yourself to a simplified lifestyle.
Thank you
