Our life is not in things

I know firsthand what it's like to live in a cluttered environment. My family tends to accumulate things that they sometimes never use, but they feel comfortable having them in the corner. In general, I've always heard them use these phrases to excuse their accumulation of objects: “I'll need it someday,” “Don't throw it away, it's worth money,” “I don't know what it's for, but someday it will be useful,” “It cost money.” So, from the bag of rice, oats, flour, and product containers, everything was carefully stored by my mother because it was useful for something. There came a time when the place was full of junk, and when I mustered up the courage to throw something away, oh boy, I had to prepare myself to sit in the dock, as if I had committed a terrible crime.

At first, I tried to endure living in that kind of environment as much as I could, then I secretly started throwing away things that even they didn't know existed, until one day I plucked up the courage and started throwing away everything that was unnecessary. I no longer cared about the criticism or being put in the dock. After all, I had to put up with a little scolding, but inside I felt immense satisfaction at seeing the house a little clearer.

From that day on, they nicknamed me “the thrower” (the person who throws everything away), and that's how I've been known ever since. Although sometimes my hand shakes when I throw away something they miss, and it's a storage room, I gather my courage and take it out of the house.

It's not that I throw away valuable things or don't recycle. Most of the things I throw away are grocery receipts, plastic mayonnaise and sauce jars, broken items, very old appliances that don't work and can't be repaired because they're too old, notebooks that are no longer useful, and shopping boxes that pile up for no reason.
Over time, I've seen how the atmosphere that seemed heavy and oppressive has become more peaceful.
The accumulation of objects only brings visual fatigue, anxiety, and despair; it is an overwhelming feeling that steals your energy.

At work, I have also noticed the accumulation of objects by colleagues who share the same room with me. It is tenacious to see the amount of objects they accumulate just with the excuse that someday they will need them, when you see their shelf is so crowded that you can't even fit your hand in because of all the things they have. But when you visualize how much they have, you realize that there are torn papers, old cardboard boxes, and other things that I still don't know why they accumulate. They are surprised when I open my shelf and it is impeccable, with few things but just what is necessary and needed. I can only hear their amazement, and they don't understand how I survive with so few things to do my work. Some feel sorry for me and tell me that they are going to stop accumulating so many things so they can have a shelf like mine.

Living and being in that kind of environment, not only at home but also at my cousins' and uncles' houses and at my school, made me understand that minimalist living is a great relief for the soul. Living with just what is necessary, without hoarding and compulsive buying, is a way to live mentally healthy.

After living most of my life unintentionally surrounded by stuff, it has made me appreciate simplicity, being aware that we can be efficient with few things. Living with only the essentials is a form of peace for me. It fills me with joy and energy. I feel all the anxiety go away and peace invade my being. I can finally breathe easier since I can control and organize what I have, and above all, enjoy the simple things in life. And no, life doesn't end because you don't hold on to everything, which is why I love the minimalist lifestyle.

In conclusion, I can say that our life is somewhere else, not in things. Letting go of things means that we can live with less without it meaning that we are losing something. On the contrary, we are gaining emotional stability, security, and detachment from material things.

That's all from me. Thank you for your wonderful visit. See you in my next post.