How do minimalist people live?

Architect and writer John Pawson says that “Minimalism, more than architecture, is a lifestyle”. This is how a group of families seem to have understood it, since they have created a platform from which they teach what the minimalist lifestyle is.

The platform in question is called The Minimalists, and in it they try to give meaning to life. As? Well, for example, generating alternatives for that material need that arises from advertising and that society itself enhances by acting as a mirror.

What is a minimalist lifestyle?

According to minimalists, today we live in an overly stimulating environment. Furthermore, many of these stimuli are interested advertisements that are focused on motivating consumption; This causes us to think every day that there are more objects that are essential for our well-being.

Following minimalist thinking, with each new purchase we get heavier. That is, our emotional plane becomes overloaded, ending up leaving aside essential parts of the human being, such as freedom.

Therefore, the creators of minimalist lifestyleRyan Nicodemus and Fields Millburn, define this way of living as the tool that serves as a catalyst to get rid of excess. So that? So that we can focus on what is really important, and that leads us towards happiness, freedom and fulfillment.

If you are interested in the minimalist way of life, there are a series of characteristics that define it based on a single idea that structures and inspires them: eliminate material and artificial needs in the background, and focus on the personal.

Minimalist lifestyle: eliminate what is accessory or unnecessary

They basically claim that let’s eliminate everything that is not strictly necessary. If during your life you have been storing useless objects, it is about doing an exercise in order to empty these spaces, so that they can be freed or filled with elements that do cover real needs.

The most traditional wisdom reminds us that attachment to material things somehow makes us slaves.. The accumulation causes us to waste time cleaning, organizing or maintaining, posing an obstacle to using our resources on those matters that are really important. In this way, the minimalists They invite you to empty drawers and closets, eliminating everything that really is of no use.

Eliminates attachment to objects

Sometimes we get attached to objects, that’s why we don’t throw them away. It is true that they can be things full of memories for us. However, the minimalist reminds us that, in reality, These memories are in the personnot the object.

Minimalists claim that we have to project ourselves into the future, not to the past. Thus, attachment must be towards people, starting with oneself, and not towards material possessions.

Order and simplicity in the home

Also They advocate having an orderly home, where simplicity is the dominant tone. Everything we keep will be because it has a specific use and for that purpose it must have a space. Furthermore, if we are systematic and always give the same one, it will be easier to find it.

consumer control

Another important aspect that vital minimalism values ​​is consumption control. We must be careful with purchases, since, on many occasions, possessions are acquired that are really of no use.

They also advocate another maxim, and that is change everything that enters a home for something that leaves. So, if any of your possessions have lost their useful life, sell or donate them, but don’t accumulate them.

Digitization

Another option that minimalists opt for is digitalization. They advocate for put an end to photo albums, invoices, letters, tickets and more. First a photo is taken or scanned, then it is saved digitally and then the material part is thrown away.

Other minimalist lifestyle options

There are other options that minimalists opt for. As you can imagine, they all aim to simplify life and deprive it of material possessions:

Simplify technology. That is, not owning a cell phone, iPod, MP3, laptop, desktop computer… They are committed to trying to bring everything together in the smallest number of devices possible. They also invite control information consumption. Since we are exposed to many stimuli, in the end we lose focus and valuable time without being truly well informed in many cases.Selecting commitments is another maxim. Don’t waste your time on dates that really aren’t going to give you anything. We have to be more productive, and to do this, sometimes we have to say no.The accumulation of experiences instead of objects is also another of its characteristics. Finally, they aim to control the mind, focusing on what is truly important, looking for emotional balance.

In short, this is the minimalist lifestyle. Learning to live in the present, heading towards the future, enjoying small experiences and acquiring only the possessions necessary to live. For them this represents the highest degree of development and freedom. Does it attract you?

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