Minimalism and Me: Part 2

MY EXPERIENCES WITH MINIMALISM

In my last post, I briefly introduced the concept of minimalism. When I first came across the concept...I was shocked! I realised how I was already a minimalist! I was raised that way itself.

From the day I used to accompany my parents on shopping trips; I was never allowed to buy anything that I wouldn't need. I only bought clothes that I absolutely loved. I chose the shoe that I would certainly wear. Each year I was allowed to buy only one pair of shoes. Depending on the type of the item; these lasted for two years or so. Therefore, there was never any unnecessary clutter in the house.

But the problem arose when I started receiving presents from relatives. I absolutely don't like receiving presents from people who don't know me properly. I'd much rather have them take me out for some lunch or dinner or basically anything related to food. That way, they are able to do something nice for me; and as an added bonus, I don't end up with goods I don't like.

                                               

Who knew that surrounding yourself with just the things you love can bring so much internal peace? Turns out, my parents did!

You see, I totally get the gesture. It's done in complete goodwill, I understand. And that is exactly what makes it even worse. You can't really reject the present they give you, and even if you absolutely detest the item...you have to slap a smile on your face and pretend to like it. 

But there again, my parents very skilfully put an end to this. They reasoned that I am growing up and I don't really need so many items anymore. I don't need to be pampered, and getting so much stuff might spoil me anyway, etc. Although, the last comment did hurt me the first time I heard it; I later came to understand their grand plan. A temporary scathe towards my personality would permanently deliver me from the pain of having to deal with unwelcome items! It was a genius plan. The knick-knacks stopped coming. I was free.

While all this was happening in my early childhood; I never once realised what a valuable lesson my parents were teaching me then. I don't think that they too were much aware of the fact. Their whole philosophy was: "Don't waste hard-earned money on useless stuff and don't let other people waste their money too." 

        And that works.

Not a lot of us have the luxury to just throw around cash like that anyway. One may argue that the concept of minimalism is greatly inclined towards filthy rich people who don't know what to do with all these valuable pieces of paper and end up cluttering their lives and getting really miserable. 

But minimalism applies to everyone with respect to feelings and emotions. That is the minimalism that I relate to the most. Unnecessary people can incite unnecessary emotions which ultimately destroys our mental health. Being a minimalist in that domain is what I have been trying to do ever since I came across the concept. Surround yourself with the people who add value to your life and be indifferent to the rest. 

              I know it's easier said than done but life has become so much better once I started to try...

                                                  

Every time you look around you, or within you, it should bring a smile on your face! A small token of all the conscious efforts you took to make yourself smile! (Minimalism has been one of them...for me.)