Gold Leaf

Starting over.

Deciding to be a minimalist means different things to every one of us. Whether it's a step by step process of eliminating physical possessions and growing into a meditation or mindfulness routine, or simply rebooting your life from one day to the next.

It doesn't matter which way you do it. It doesn't matter how minimal you become. It doesn't matter that you don't live like the minimalists usually portrayed in social media.

Being minimal is relative.

I started my process in a slow and organic transition - that was helped along drastically when the moving van with about 50% of my possessions burned up in transit. Yeah, that'll do it. But still, to this day, I am in evolution. I work daily on finding at least one thing I can donate, sell or simply throw out. I don't live in the minimalist home of my dreams yet - but for me the process is gradual, and that's okay too.

What I have changed completely over the past couple of years, is my commitment to mindfulness and meditation. Every day. It's not forceful or a cause of bad conscience if I happen to skip my evening meditation for one day - but it rarely happens. Simply because it has become such an integral part of my life now. Slowing down, looking inwards, breathing deeply and noticing the little things are all part of my minimalist lifestyle. Not spending too much time on social media (that's a process too!) and enjoying being me, with me, for me.

Living with less has brought clarity to so many aspects of my life, not only the feelings of claustrophobia in a crowded home (mine was never particularly crowded, but it felt that way to me). It has given me clarity in rediscovering the person I somehow got away from when my spending power increased. Instead of homemade purposeful gifts, I would resort to superfluous retail. How much of that stuff ends up in your friends and families garages, attics and garbage cans? Stuffed in the back of a closet, used once and forgotten.

Stop it. Breathe. Think. And give a gift from the heart. It doesn't even have to be a "thing". Give your time, your care, your tenderness. Give LOVE.

Seeing the world from a place of "less" allows me to notice the beautiful, quirky, overlooked and underappreciated things that surrounds us all.

What it also gives me, is the increasing ability to feel free. Free from constraints when I think about my career, life choices and goals for the future.

I am free to move, with few possessions. I am free to seek employment that stimulates and interests me. I am free to go out travelling with just a single bag/backpack.

I am also free to love and appreciate all the beautiful things created in this world, and never having to feel the pressure to purchase. I simply don't want it.

One of the biggest game changers for me, a highly visual and formerly shopping addicted design junkie, is Pinterest. Yes, I know, it sounds strange. But being able to gorge on beautiful pictures of designs, both new trends and old classics, and being able to assemble them in neat folders (boards) and even to do so for free, any time, any where, TOTALLY cured me of my need to shop. You see, it wasn't about the "owning", it was about the hunt. The visual satisfaction of appreciating beautiful designs and the feeling of having been thoughtful and innovative in the selection.

Kindle is another of my favorites. Not reading is not an option. And though I LOVE books, it simply isn't the most practical to purchase and store these any longer. Buying a physical book now, is reserved for the most special and deserving. The ones that add beauty and interest to my home - and even then, they do sometimes burn on the back of a truck. And guess what? Life goes on. Not owning so many possessions is also the safest way of not losing them or the money you spent on them and their insurance.

Look at food. Buying what you need, instead of bulk stocks will let you be creative, in the moment when you look for beautiful fresh groceries. Buying what you need makes you simplify your needs. It makes you look at your spending. But most importantly for me: My appreciation of good quality, simply produced and prepared food is much greater. Appreciate what you eat to nourish yourself. Become mindful and absorbed in the experience. Make it simple.

For me MINIMALISM is the thread that ties all areas of my life together.