Minimalism for Beginners: Let's get to the basics!

"Minimalism" as the word speaks for itself, is living with less and minimally as far as is possible; which primarily means getting rid of stuff or clutter which no longer serves us or sparks joy. It's a way of life which takes a path away from the materialistic and consumerist lifestyle, where we seem to be constantly chasing the next best thing.

I was a shopaholic; even until five years back. I was constantly mocked by some of my closest relatives for my obsession for shopping. Not to justify, but I was surrounded by friends who were constantly on a spree of showing off their best. And as a teenager, I wanted to look and feel the best. I always chased the next best thing because I never felt satisfied.

But my travels with a small group of close friends to Bhutan and Manas National Park in Assam, solo travels to the remotest parts of Naxalite areas in Andhra-Odisha Border for field assignments, ignited two things in me a) experiences mattered more in life; which my father always emphasized upon b) living with less; when I lived in the camps and small huts I realized how less was required to live a fulfilled life. But we often tend to magnify it by thinking that if I have so & so thing or item 'then' I will be happy. Two years after this realization, Minimalism found me and I found it!

1. Figure it, Know it and Do it

Yeah! You read it correctly - Figure it, Know it and Do it.

Don't get drawn away by the clear white, ultra clean houses which beginners deceivingly perceive to be the minimalist life. Minimalism isn't about that. Well...no denial! the aesthetic is super pleasing and cool.

Understand that Minimalism isn't a way of getting rid of everything you love & enjoy; and honestly there is no compulsion on you to live with less. This isn't a contest, and no one is here to invade your house and judge you. It's you who has chosen to adopt this lifestyle, right?

You have to figure out; why do you want to adopt a Minimalist lifestyle?

Know your reasons, ask yourself again and again.

Once you have figured out and strongly know; what are the things you want to let go of...Just do it!

- Is it the never ending pile of clothes?

- unused text books or note books?

- Worn out containers or unused jars in the kitchen?

- Or a number of expired, dried out & unused cosmetics?

Figure out and get rid of them, because you strongly know that they just don't spark any joy, they are of no use and just add on clutter.

If you are not using the stuff in your home, get rid of it. You're not going to start using it more by shoving it in a closet somewhere - Joshua Becker

2. Need vs Want

There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for everyone's greed - Mahatma Gandhi

Scrolling through the various pages of online shopping sites, walking aisle by aisle in a massive super market, unsure what to buy but when you look around everything seems pleasing to the eye?

Seems relatable?

I have been raised in an environment which need not necessarily confirm as minimalist but is definitely not materialistic. My parents always placed importance in their parenting that we had to focus more on life's experiences, learning, and develop a quest for knowledge rather than on acquiring materialistic goods beyond our necessity.

We tend to want everything we see, sometimes misunderstood as needs. But there are only a few things which we truly need. Amongst your possessions, there might be a few things that you regularly work with, use and need them. In this case, there is nothing wrong in keeping them despite the quantity.

For example, I am a vivid reader and I am fond of collecting and purchasing books, I have organized my own personal library, I read them all and will for sure refer to them in future. But I give away those books that are of least use to me, hoping they would be useful to someone else. Hold on to things which are dear to you with no guilt whatsoever.

Now, addressing the big dilemma...

How do we differentiate between a need and a want?

Needs are those which are highly important and you are certain on the terms of their utility or usage.

TIP: Make a list! yeah...right! Make a list to identify and differentiate your needs & wants. Look around your home, your closet, your kitchen make a list of the things you need. Once you have a list, you are more likely to end up buying only the things you need rather than digging into every shelf at the super market; to end up overspending; adding on to more clutter.

3. Get some inspiration

For me inspiration is everything! But mind you don't overdo it. You need to create a fine balance from feeling inspired to a feeling of imitation.

Usually speaking, in general terms, when we feel inspired by a person we tend to constantly binge on their lifestyle to an extent where we waste our money and time to end up replicating our house as theirs (in this case).

Minimalism in the first place intends to break this vicious cycle of never ending wants. How is it called an inspiration which in turn is counter productive?

Understand the difference?

Inspiration to start, to guide you throughout, for tips, hacks and to make you stick on the path.

Personal Note: My inspirations were Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus - The Minimalists & Sadia Badiei @ Pick Up Limes.

4. It's not just material

Oh Boy! Who understands mental clutter better than a person who has suffered from clinical depression and anxiety disorder. Even when things started becoming clearer I ended up back in a loop of negativity & unnecessary thought processes.

Clutter is not just material it could also be something beyond materialism. Toxic, relationships, self-defeating thoughts, sentiments, pessimistic attitudes. For me as a minimalist it was important to de-clutter my mind too, not just for my mental health but also for the strength to move forward every day. But how? More articles in the pipeline!

I hope this article gave an insight for the starters or just helped you for a basic understanding of what minimalism stands for and acted as a brief guide too.