Why Minimalism?

Why did I choose to change my lifestyle to one of minimalism?

Well, I have been interested in minimalism for the past year now and have slowly introduced it into my own way of life. Now I have a lot less of many things: possessions crowding my home, numerous projects taking up my time, things constantly keeping me busy, and an endless collection of movies to watch. There was a time when I felt if I just had that one more movie or that one more CD, my collection would be complete. But it never was. I was always busy with a new project to work on, usually having six or more on the go at a time.

Now I have more time, more space, more focus. Minimalism for me was a way to de-clutter my life with all the distractions. I got rid of my smart phone, I stopped playing video games, I started saying NO to projects that I just didn't have time for. Now when something comes into my life, whether it is an object, a project, or a person, I seriously question whether it will have value for me before I allow it to enter my life. That's what minimalism is all about for me. Only keeping the things in life that really matter. It takes some serious thinking, and it changed my views on a lot of things about consumerism, society, and human nature, but it was a change for the best.

Here is a quote from Leo Babauta that really nails the meaning of minimalism:

It’s a way to escape the excesses of the world around us — the excesses of consumerism, material possessions, clutter, having too much to do, too much debt, too many distractions, too much noise. But too little meaning. Minimalism is a way of eschewing the non-essential in order to focus on what’s truly important, what gives our lives meaning, what gives us joy and value.

Here are a few articles on what minimalism is and what benefits can be attained through it. (Many of these are written much more eloquently than my blog, hahaha!)

What Is Minimalism? - The Minimalists

On Minimalism - Zen Habits

Minimalist FAQs - mnmlist

Why Minimalism Should Not Be Entered Into Lightly - BecomingMinimalist

Top Ten Benefits of Being A Minimalist - Miss Minimalist

Flocks of Birds; of Molecules; of Stars

A flock of birds moves together as one total being.

A flock of molecules in my hand moves together as one total being.

A flock of stars in a galaxy moves together as one total being.

All is one.

All is beautiful.

The Move Is Over

I am all moved into my new apartment. A nice one-bedroom basement apartment. There is something refreshing about an empty room and deciding where to put things and how to arrange a living space. I haven't fully organized everything but I am now in the process of going through all my stuff and paring down to what I really want to keep, what really adds value to my life. 

I started off pretty basic. I used to have two bookshelves full of books and movies. I gave one of the bookshelves away to my brother who was also moving into a new place. Whatever doesn't fit onto my one shelf has to go now. (My new bookshelf also matches better with the rest of the furniture in my living room, which is a single desk for writing and a couch for sitting.)

My new place is in a great location too. I am in downtown Fredericton, so I am closer to a few friends so it will be easier to socialize, and I am right next to the park, so it will be great to go on some nature walks and enjoy the great outdoors. The simple beauty of nature will be a great addition to my simple lifestyle I am trying to cultivate.

I am very excited to start arranging my new place. This is going to be my most minimalist home yet, and I am really looking forward to living alone for the first time and having my own space.