What “minimal-ish” Means To Me
What do you picture when you hear the word “minimalism?”
I bet it’s bare white walls in a mostly empty house - one with only essential furniture, a capsule wardrobe and maybe even boring, strict people living in it.
There are many myths and misconceptions about minimalism…and a barely-there home is just one of them.
The truth is you don’t have to declutter and get rid of all of your things, it’s not only for rich people or for people without children, you can still shop, you don’t have to get rid of sentimental things and you don’t have to live by a rigid set of rules in regards to how much of something you should own. Does this surprise you?
SO What IS minimalism really all about?
It’s about intentionality, a focus on value and the freedom the former two bring.
Intentionality means that you make conscious choices about your things, your time and your energy. You only buy and keep what you need, want or love, in quantities you can justify. You only spend time doing things that align with your values and bring you joy (outside of work maybe). You only expend energy on things that are truly worth the mental load to you.
In a nutshell, it’s being thoughtful about what you’re doing before you do it. It’s pausing to ask “why”?
A focus on value means that you prioritize people, places, experiences and your own growth over accumulating material items. You can still buy things, but it’s not your main goal and source of happiness. And when you do, it’s likely quality over quantity and those things do bring you joy.
The freedom that results is a result of less spending on unnecessary or low quality items and activities which leads to less stress and financial debt. You also have less distractions that all of these purchases and activities would create in your day to day - which inhibits your growth - taking you away from doing the things that matter to you - the things that actually light you up!
so WHY do i aspire to be MINIMAL-ISh?
After working for 10 years in the corporate world, then being self employed as a professional home organizer for the last 5 years, all while raising two young boys with my husband who has a demanding career and owning and running a home with pets - whew! - the practice of minimalism has never appealed to me more than right now.
It’s like I had to live through all these experiences to arrive at the conclusion that life is just easier when you simplify. It’s either that or the fact that I’m in my 40s now and I’m tired and worn out from adulting (note: I do NOT consider myself old). I’m pretty sure it’s a combo of both - the experience that comes with age and the fact that I’m a little tired of the noise.
It’s become clear to me in recent years that what I’ve been pursuing personally and “pushing” in my career is in fact the concept of minimalism - and in my line of work, it’s really the underlying current in all the homes that I work in and with clients I coach on decluttering and getting organized - whether the term is used or not. So I want to continue to debunk the myths and share more...because it’s really not as scary as it sounds. Or hard to pursue.
Because here’s the important thing - like you, I am a human (not a minimalistic robot), a woman, a mom and a multi-passionate person - and so I want to buy some stuff, and I want to do activities, and I want to travel everywhere, and maybe buy a souvenir - or two (gasp). And with two young kids in our house, there is going to be a constant influx of stuff. You can only control so much of what comes in and you can only get rid of so many of their things before they notice :)
So I aim to be minimal-ish and it feels so right. Because I believe in wiggle room - in a life and home filled with love and memories - in the idea that done is better than perfect - and I know that I can apply the concept of minimalism well enough to reap a lot of its benefits, without the pressure of perfectionism.
And you can too.
Until next time,
