“Fill the void with acceptance, not stuff.”
Inside Minimalism, Vol. 1
Based on our exclusive subscription series, Inside Minimalism Vol.1 is a collection of 50 short and relatable essays on simple living by a small team of writers from different backgrounds, but who all share a deep appreciation for minimalism as a way of life. Enjoy a curated collection of beautiful writing with a single one-off purchase and support independent creators.
Successfool
Words by The Minimalists
We used to be “successful.” At least that’s what everyone said.
People frequently told us that we had things “figured out,” because by age 27 we both worked “great” six-figure jobs, we were climbing the corporate ladder, and we owned all the things that were supposed to make us happy: the big houses, the luxury cars, the fancy material possessions.
But we sure didn’t feel like we had it figured out. And we certainly didn’t feel successful. Instead, we felt overwhelmed by the so-called success in our lives. We were unhealthy, unfulfilled, and our lives lacked meaning. And the long hours we worked and the stuff we bought didn’t fill the void we felt inside.
Unfortunately, we’d subscribed to the ridiculous cultural standards promulgated by our heavily mediated society. But despite what people said, we weren’t successful. Rather, we were fools. Successfools.
But you needn’t be fooled like we were by the false cultural pressurespropagated by the ads on TV, proliferated by the ghosts haunting the cubical farms at your job.
A six-figure job doesn’t make you successful. There’s nothing wrong with earning money, but the money alone will not make you happy.
A shiny new car doesn’t make you successful. There’s nothing wrong with owning things you enjoy, but your material possessions alone will not bring you bliss.
Consider your daily actions. Do you pacify yourself with short-term pleasures, sacrificing true success and happiness and fulfillment for ephemeral pellets of momentary gratification?
Are you truly successful? Are you happy? Do you feel fulfilled? Are you living a meaningful life? You can. And, more importantly, you deserve to.
Choose your daily actions wisely. Meaningless short-term pleasure often equals long-term suffering, while short-term pain can offer you long-term joy and growth and contentment. The choice is yours to make.
Simply Living My Best Life
Words by Heba Shahab
I am a girl with great ambition and goals, but the love of buying new clothes, shoes, and furniture got in the way of me fulfilling most of my dreams. That is, until I saw an Instagram page of a minimalist living her best life and cherishing moments instead of stuff.
I was interested in trying this different lifestyle, so I started getting rid of stuff I was not interested in owning anymore. The first step was getting rid of clothes and shoes I didn’t like that much.
The second step was changing my perspective towards home furniture. I used to like buying furniture and home accessories based on new trends, but after discovering minimalism, I removed all my extra tables, chairs, and lamps, and I even changed some colors. I believe mental clarity comes from visual clarity, and now I have a clear mind when I see all the open space in my home.
I am still working on engaging my husband and those around me in this life-changing concept. But to sum things up, coming from an Arab background where it is believed that having more items means a better life, living as a minimalist is the best thing that ever happened to me. Now I cherish moments, not items. I had never thought that stuff could get in the way of one’s dreams and goals, but now I see that removing junk from my life gave me the space to move my mindset and focus toward my passion so I could work on my own business instead of wasting my time and money.
Minimalism not only got me on track toward living a simple, high-quality life, it also helped me get organized, stress free, and happy.
“Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest. Let go. Live in the moment. All we have is NOW.” These words got me on the right track, and hopefully they will motivate you, too, to live a purposeful life.
A Little More of Less
A few other articles we think you might enjoy…
→ The High Bar of Expectations Can Crush Our Creativity by Leo Babauta
→ Love Is More by Joshua Fields Millburn
→ The Perfect Way of Saying “No” by Hilary Barnett
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