My Minimalism Journey

2015 saw the rise of the popularity of minimalism in a more mainstream way and I, like so many others, jumped on the bandwagon.

Although I’ve always kept my personal space organized and somewhat neat, I still felt like I had too much stuff. I was holding on to clothes that didn’t fit even though I had long since run out of closet space. I had way too many notebooks and random papers, and little trinkets that I thought I might want or use….eventually. In late 2015, some of my favorite Youtubers talked to a certain extent on the ideals of minimalism, intriguing me to no end.

Minimalism is essentially the idea of getting rid of the unnecessary stuff in your life to make room for the things that matter most to you; whether that’s spending more time with your family and friends, creating art, or having more meaningful experiences.

As I studied more and more into this thing called minimalism I saw how happy the people who called themselves minimalists were. Most of which came from drastically materialistic lives and after achieving the “American Dream”, many of them realized it was more of a nightmare than a dream. The thought process behind the actions of acquiring more things is usually because we believe that we are supposed to, and in the process of “keeping up with the Joneses” we lose ourselves and become enthralled by stuff.

Everyone seemed to attribute their new-found happiness to minimalism, and that it was the source of their long-term happiness and fulfillment. But there really isn’t any true happiness and joy apart from God. God is the only place that people can receive what they are truly looking for: love, joy, peace, hope, and life. There is a great feeling in getting rid of the things that weigh us down. Relationships, things, or even the lifestyle that we are living, are things that can weigh us down unnecessarily, and can hinder us from living the life we are meant to live. Minimalism should be used as a tool to get things done, to cut things out of your life, to appreciate the people and the things around you, but not as the permanent solution.

Minimalism to me isn’t just about getting rid of things but also gaining things as well. Gaining things such as experiences with friends and family, gaining lightness because the space around me isn’t cluttered, and gaining my health from filling my body with only wholesome foods. I believe that minimalism should spread into all areas of my life, but not in the place of God.

XO,

Tonya

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