Starting Minimalism
Where do you start with a subject that is so talked about nowadays?!
Nearly everywhere I turn over the past year there has been some mention of minimalism or simple living. Now I think I’ve always been accustomed to ‘simple living’, also known for me as being too lazy to deal with the latest fashion trends or products that are being pushed onto us daily. But for some people the movement has really changed their lives dramatically…
If we are talking in general about minimalism it is the idea of living life with less - ‘things’. Which in turn hopefully means that you gain more freedom to do, experience and interact with the people and environment around you easier.
This concept is obviously talked about by none other than ‘The Minimalists’ who summarise the concept as the following:
‘Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favour of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfilment, and freedom.’
I began looking at this concept due to my design background when having influences such as John Pawson and Tadao Ando. In architecture terms minimalism often expresses the technical side of joinery and structure, making it a form of art as well as keeping everything visually calm and directing the eye purposely to specific features. These influences plus the fact that Ash and I live in quite a small space at the moment is what spurred my interest.
John Pawson - Barbican Apartment
It’s about making the movement work for you and your day to day. As we see many architects show the extreme/pristine version of minimalism we have to remember that a lived in space is much different…
Now the main things that Mininalism is sometimes judgtngly known for are:
‘You have to get rid of all of your stuff’
‘You end up with just a mattress on the floor’
‘Why are you getting rid of something if its perfectly fine?’
‘You can’t have a proper hobby then as you can’t buy the equipment!’
A lot of no’s and can’t’s - supposedly.
Nonsense!
Minimalism allowed me:
To let go of things I felt I was meant to hold on to.
To say no and yes to things I bought into my life very purposefully.
To see the things I do actually really like and enjoy being around.
To create a space I can relax in.
To be able to give back a little through donations.
To create a routine that is simple, not time consuming and works for me.
To have more time (and money!) to be with the people I want to be with and do the things I want to do.
Now I’m not saying I’m the best Minimalist by any means.. I still, to this day have a lot of ‘things’ and have to stop myself sometimes from buying or keeping things that really aren’t that necessary.. But from my little list above it has definitely helped my day to day..
If you’ve been thinking about jumping into minimalism but not got the first clue where to start I’ve got a few more posts in lifestyle that could help. We look at some great influencers within the movement as well as how to live with a non-minimalist and what ‘rules’ can help you along the way!
Have you been searching for a more simple lifestyle that frees you up to stress less and enjoy the things you truly love more?