SIMPLIFY: How I became a Minimalist

You must have read, seen and admittedly superfluous about the word "MINIMALIST" or "MINIMALISM".  It suddenly became a common term in the recent years. If you search it online there are a number of definition from art, fashion or lifestyle.

I'll explain Minimal living based on my understanding and personal experience. Minimalism isn't just about downsizing or wearing all black outfit, it taps continuously both our conscious and subconscious mind. The choices we make in all facets in our life from home decorating to the food we eat. It values time and space to make one genuinely happy and satisfied. Minimalism is being conscious of how we live.

We feel the need to "reward ourselves", indulging and entitled to temporary gratification now and then we buy things either we had in our wish list or because it was on sale.

Before I started living minimal I knew something was missing, I was unhappy. I wasted about an hour every single day deciding which shoes to wear or what accessories matches with my trousers which results unnecessary stress. I would feel empty unless I shop every pay-day. There was a need for me to bring home something just SOMETHING! I cannot go home empty-handed.

One day I felt suffocated, I was drowning from piles of purses, clothes, shoes, etc. all these things I have accumulated over the years most were useless, others even have receipts and tags.

I made a drastic decision to let go 80% of my stuff including mementos. It was hard at first but I made up my mind that day. If I didn't do it that day it will never ever going to happen. The 80% things no longer adds value in my life that sat in the closet for more than a year, an ill-fitted shirt I bought just because it was on sale, piles of fashion magazines, gifts that I never touched or a box of confetti which I found cute from a novelty store. I threw some that are already useless, some were donated and sold to a thrift store.

It was the moment I can no longer be tied to material possessions and obsessing over with things that doesn't have the versatility and quality.

After that, I learned to appreciate to value my time. It was peaceful. I wore the same colors and type of clothing almost every day. The first few days it felt strange but knowing that FEWER choices LESSER stress it keeps me in-check. It was challenging to have a certain discipline to break the cycle of "rewarding" myself with things but I continued what I started.

My life became practical.

Simple is challenging, especially when our world revolves around consumerism. Living minimally isn't deprivation, it's the opposite - you enjoy time, things that you actually "love"and understand your space. Simplifying even small things, such as, using the same bag or having the same lunch for the entire week will have an impact in your life.

Changing lifestyle doesn't happen overnight. I am still a work in progress, sometimes I get suck by my old habits which makes the journey more exciting.