What is a Minimalist? | CapWay
- Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.
- As a minimalist, you should never deprive yourself of the things that you enjoy.
- You can still fully enjoy life while living with less.
When I first heard about minimalism, the song "Bag Lady" by Erykah Badu began to play in my head:
"Bag lady you gone hurt your back,
dragging all them bags like that,
I guess nobody ever told you,
all you must hold onto, is you."
A minimalist lifestyle is somewhat similar. You may need a few more items than just yourself, but what you must do is pack light, oh ooh. As a minimalist, you should never deprive yourself of the things that you enjoy. Instead, you cut back on what holds no use or value in your life. Yes, you can enjoy life while living with less.
What is Minimalism?
According to Becomingminimalist.com, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality. And as a result, it forces improvements in almost all aspects of your life.
So, basically, minimalists live simple lives that help them let go of the physical, emotional, and financial clutter. A minimalist wouldn't have a closet full of items that they never use and don't bring joy to their lives.
The minimalist lifestyle isn’t a scary cult designed for you to only live with the clothes on your back. Minimalists work on finding worth in oneself rather than seeking value and comfort in material items.
If you are passionate about collecting books or purses, no one is asking you to give that up. You would focus on giving up items that you wouldn't give a second thought if you let them go.
Before you throw all of your material items in the trash, ask yourself a few questions to help you:
- What is my purpose in life?
- What does success mean to me?
- How do I view my relationship with material items?
- How much time do I spend on purpose-worthy tasks?
- Am I ready to declutter my space?
- What is my motivation for becoming a minimalist?
Here are a few benefits of a minimalist lifestyle:
- Peace of mind
- Less focus on material items
- Create room for what's essential in your life
- Financial freedom
- Greater self-confidence