Life is what we make it, and in turn what we decide to bring into our lives as well. Every bit of belongings you have, every single table, even data on your computer. It all comes back to being something of materialism.
As a techie myself I struggle with this, as I want to collect more technology. Other people might collect paint supplies, or perhaps clothes. In any case, whatever your thing is, then you got to keep in mind how much your belongings weigh you down.
The Essence of Minimalism in Modern Life
Think of yourself floating in the ocean, and the more materialistic you are the more you are weighed down under the water. The more stuff you have, then the more you sink. By getting rid of stuff, and limiting how much you let into your space.
The more free you become to float to the surface. The less things you have to worry about. Finally, the more you are free to move, do more, and less you have to drag with you.
How Minimalism Drives Innovation and Creativity
Materialistic lifestyles distract you from what is important. By having THINGS, then those things keep you from paying attention to what is right in front of you.
When you clear your space from junk, then you also clear your mind as well. Even now I'm looking at my desk and see some things I could put away.
This is when you get to let yourself flow into thoughts. When you clear your space and your mind, then new things can form there. Thus the innovation comes more naturally.
Implementing Minimalist Principles for Life Improvement
Really depends on how you want to take it. Could be aesthetic in your home, your technology, your digital workspace (desktop), or even just the entire collection of things you have as a person.
What are things? Those can be your tech that you need, the furniture, your clothes, your food, anything and everything.
More than likely you don't NEED it. At least you could live without nail clippers for example, but it would mean your nails grow too much. The point I am making is that yes you need them for hygiene and overall looks.
However if you didn't have them, then you would make do. Realizing what sort of THINGS we have that we think we need, but really we don't.
Then from there take a step back, obviously you're probably gonna keep your nail clippers, but do you really need that second hair trimmer? Do you need 10 different spatulas and big spoons?
Decreasing the amount of stuff you have, by optimizing based on what you truly need.
Overcoming Common Challenges in Adopting Minimalism
People don't want to give up their stuff. That is okay, truly it is, but you have to know your limits.
This is why people become hoarders, as they don't know their limits. There are some societal quirks too. Such as some of the elderly now were taught to hoard things when they were very young, as their parents/grandparents came out of the great depression. Which makes total sense.
However we are not in the depression anymore, and so that need is not helpful to their daily lives. If anything it weighs them down. We might hit some other sort of terrible economic fate soon, so sure you should stock up on food. However realize everything that comes into your home is weighing down your ship. Try not to sink!
What I'm dealing with: Minimalism Leading to Life Innovation
Part of why I am making this post is that I am in a weird stage right now in my life. The other reason is that it has been on my back burner for half a decade.
I want to move whether it is to Why I want to Move to Austin Texas or to Why I want to Move to Singapore 🇸🇬. Either way I want to live somewhere else, where there is more people, more techies, more startups, and better climate.
However the challenge lies in how do I get there, do I drive, fly, or something else? I have built out a number of improved THINGS in my home. Such as going from a futon to a real couch. A nice living room furniture set, etc.
However I really don't need those things to be happy. Not really. Even my bed is sort of old, and not that big. Thus if I got a new one it would be better?
All of these things make it difficult for me to move, as they are bulky and weigh me down. Literally and figuratively. I am in a state of a sort of purge right now. Even that great living room set, which is needed to store my tv and tech. I don't necessarily NEED to keep, I don't even need to keep the tv, of which I love. As I can get by with a nice monitor. Sure its still buying something else, but gaming is one way I know makes me happy and decompress. However I can get a smaller screen, which is either easier to move, or I'll get it at my destination. In the mean time selling my stuff allows me to move easier, and have more funds.
Even with my technology I went from having a small tower pc, to a mini pc the size of two lunchables (the non cardboard ones).
The Future of Minimalism and Its Impact on Innovation
While we each as individuals need to find our own balance of things, and perhaps lean more towards minimalism on the whole.
I think the future lies in the city structure. We are encouraged to purchase, spend money, and obtain too much by society.
Not to mention having larger homes than necessary to accommodate the more things. It shouldn't matter how rich you are, the size of homes we need to be happy has a limit on the size. If you go too big, then the home itself kills your minimalism.
