It was my daughter who introduced me to minimalism. At that point, I didn't like what I saw at all. I read about a family that had declutter everything and rented toys for the kids. It didn't feel at all like something I would want to live by as I was in the mood that the energies needed to revolve around things we love. And because of that I didn't want to declutter all the things. It didn't make it any better that my daughter decluttered everything she owned. That was the image I got of minimalism. She slept on a yoga mat on the floor and had everything she owned in a backpack. Although a part of me said, the trapped adventurous part, that this is how I want to live too, I was a mother, had a home and a job and duties and that didn't fit me. I put minimalism aside for a while.
When I picked it up again, I started looking for minimalism for families with children that would fit into my life. I searched the internet for inspiration, something different from what I had seen before and I found what I was looking for. That minimalism can be adapted and does not have to be so extreme. You can still own your favorite things and you can still have a decorative home. It's about surrounding yourself with things you use, need and love. It's about declutter what doesn't create value in life. The things that are only there in case you need them at a later time need to be removed.
It was also around this time that I realized I needed to stop buying things in order to reduce them. What did it matter to declutter if I brought in as many things as I cleared out. I needed to reduce the number not stay at the same level as before, so I stopped shopping like crazy like I did before. I became more aware of where the money went. How much I spent on clothes, toys, home decor. I bought what I liked for the moment without thinking about what I would like in the long run. I acted on impulse. I shopped because that was the way society was. But I wanted something more. I wanted to stop my shopping, stop the excessive consumption. I, who then worked in a store and owned close to 100 pairs of shoes, some just for the sake of sight. This was crazy. I needed to rethink.
After a lot of inspiration, I changed my behavior. I was determined. I needed a change. I tore my hair out of stress. I was in bed from stress. I was paralyzed with stress. I was hyper from stress. Yes, the stress gave me all the negative effects stress can give. When life is like that, you have to have a change. You have to start small and realize that things take time. Are you overwhelmed by your stuff? Are you overwhelmed by life? I understand you completely but no one can change anything but you.
Minimalism is not just about reducing your things, although that is a big part of minimalism. It's about the whole way of life of thinking that enough is enough. To make room for other things in life, for example learning. To think minimalistically in all aspects of life. Making room for things that are important to you. To value significant relationships in your life. Eating foods that benefit your health. Minimalism is a broad spectrum but usually it starts with the things. You don't get happy from more, it's a quick happiness that quickly wears off when you buy yourself a new thing, happiness is found in less. Creating happiness through the relationships you have is so much more valuable than creating happiness through the things. Unfortunately, our society is structured that more wants more and it is this trend you need to break to become a minimalist.
If you could dream, what would your life look like?
Will you achieve this dream as things are now?
Can you change something in life that will bring you closer to your dream?
During the journey, you will notice that you declutter both your physical things and your mental clutter. You will feel better with time. Some things may need processing but the mind will feel better with each thing you remove and with each chapter you close. And with every chapter you close, you'll find that a new door opens to new possibilities. Give them the opportunity to enter your life.
Best regards
