Introduction
Minimalism
as an artistic movement developed in post-WWII western countries, though it was
influenced by Japanese traditional culture of Zen philosophy. Visual art of
distilled elements, sparse musical compositions and minimalist design and
architecture popularized by the German Bauhaus art school were all part of this
significant cultural movement. There’s even a minimalism literary genre that
eschews adverbs and practices an economy of words in its style.
But
more recently, a personalized concept of minimalism has emerged—a lifestyle of
minimalism—closely tied to an interest in mindfulness, the process of bringing
attention to the present moment, eschewing multitasking. Minimalist living is
about finding the central features of your life that bring you happiness and
let you accomplish what you need to while jettisoning the rest.
THE MANY BENEFITS OF
MINIMALIST LIVING
1.
Lower expenses (and more savings)
2.
Less stress
3.
The house is easier to clean
4.
Less consumption is good for the earth
5.
Productivity goes up
6.
Money can be spent supporting good causes
7.
Minimalists are happier
8.
IT IS INTENTIONALITY.
It is marked by clarity, purpose, and intentionality.
At its core, being a minimalist means intentionally promoting the things we
most value and removing everything that distracts us from it.
IT IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION
TO POSSESS.
Modern culture has bought
into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating things—in possessing
as much as possible. They believe that more is better and have inadvertently
subscribed to the idea that happiness can be purchased at a department store.
IT IS FREEDOM FROM MODERN
MANIA.
Our world runs at a
feverish pace. We are too hurried, too rushed, and too stressed. We work long,
passionate hours to pay the bills, but fall deeper into debt every day. We rush
from one activity to another—even multitasking along the way—but never seem to
get anything done. We remain in constant connection with others through our
cell phones, but true life-changing relationships continue to elude us.
IT IS FREEDOM FROM DUPLICITY.
Although nobody
intentionally chooses it, most people live in duplicity. They live one life
around their family, one life around their co-workers, and another life around
their neighbors. The lifestyle they have chosen requires them to portray a
certain external image dependent upon their circumstances.
IT IS COMPLETELY ACHIEVABLE.
A simple life is completely achievable. My family stands
as living proof. We were just your typical family of four living in the suburbs
accumulating as much stuff as our income and credit cards would allow. Then, we
found minimalism. We have embraced minimalist living and
will never go back to the way life was before. We stand as living proof that
simple living is completely achievable (and unique) to anyone who seeks it.
Conclusion
Typically,
I found that those who are
generally interested in
Following principles of a minimalist lifestyle would be better.