Contrary to popular opinions, minimalism isn't all about decluttering and the slogan ‘less is more’. There is more to minimalism than meets the eye. While decluttering is a physical and visible part of the process, I believe minimalism is fundamentally about intentional living.
It's the practice of constantly and consciously deciding what deserves space in one's life, irrespective of whether it's physical objects, relationships or even thoughts. This also entails asking technical questions like “does the array of clothes in the closet deserve that space? Or will I be more functional and decisive with less clothes in my closet?”
I find that by embracing minimalism, we are not just clearing closets or buying less items, instead, we're embracing a lifestyle centered around purpose and clarity. This makes one more focused and connected to what truly matters. This can be seen when when one chooses to surround themselves with things, relationships and even experiences that add actual value to their lives. This is why it's a bit easier for a minimalist to place precedence over things that contribute to their general growth.
If you haven't already guessed, one of the various aspects of minimalism that I embrace the most is intentionality. This cuts across every aspect of my life ranging from my daily activities to more intense activities. Being intentional about everything has not just helped me grow but has taught me responsibility(as they go hand in hand). There's certainly no room for dishing out blames and to avoid being in a situation where you feel the need to delegate blame, it's best to be intentional. Like my mom loves to say, “you mess it up, you clean it up”.
By being intentional, one consciously creates room for clarity, creativity and meaningful connections.
Another aspect of minimalism I'll say I've embodied is peace and purposely living. By intentionally creating an environment free from distraction and clutter, I've mastered the art of mental clarity. This simply means decluttering transcends the physical.
The peace that accompanies mental clarity plays a significant role in reducing stress and consequently, anxiety. This calm not only enhances enhances mental and emotional well being but also creates room for increased productivity and creativity.
Maintaining a balanced state of mind is a very powerful tool as this means one is in full control of their emotions and their actions. A person who has this control doesn't react without carefully thinking things through. Neither does the person flare up at any given chance. This is because, somewhere deep down, they know they're in control and reacting haphazardly only means giving such control away.
There are various aspects of minimalism that, with or without us knowing, we often apply in our lives because they align with our natural desire for simplicity, clarity and purpose as minimalists. Over time, these small and often unnoticed choices we make, contribute to a lifestyle that fosters productivity and satisfaction, showing that minimalism isn't just a trend but an inclination towards balance and meaningfulness.
This post is written in response to the kiss prompt for the week.
Images are mine, except stated otherwise