“Progress is achieved not through addition but through subtraction.”
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Enough with the Excess
Words by Andrew Rocha
Many of life’s persistent problems are self-inflicted due to excessive activities.
We eat too much and become overweight.
We spend too much and go into debt.
We commit too much and get overwhelmed.
Scaling back can be difficult and often comes with pain.
If we pile food on our plate, we overeat or feel guilty of wasting food.
If we make impulse purchases, we return items or pay off the debt.
If we overcommit, we say no to those involved or stay up late to get it all done.
This, however, doesn’t mean we must always say no to food, purchases, or commitments. Minimalism is about finding what’s right for you, not deprivation. If you start off with less, you can always add more.
Start with less food on the plate, then go back for seconds if you’re still hungry.
Put off purchases until you’re confident in your decision.
Start with fewer commitments and say yes to those that truly add value as your schedule permits.
There is nothing wrong with cutting back to get less, but it’s much easier to start with less and add more.
Better yet, you may find out that less is just enough after all.
Clean Up Your Room
Words by Mathias Elgaard
First, I want to address an issue that seems to be widespread. Minimalism is not about getting rid of all your stuff. Quite a lot of people think that in order to become a minimalist you need to live with only a certain number of items. I was in this group of people, so when I first became interested in minimalism, I tried to get rid of all my stuff, just to see the clutter slowly coming back.
So I listened to three people: Jordan Peterson on cleaning your room and Matt D’Avella and Marie Kondo on minimalism. I followed Marie Kondo’s book and kept only what sparked joy in my heart. What a transformation. When everything was out on the floor, I thought to myself: How did I get so much stuff? Stupid as I was, I did not realize it was as bad as it was. After keeping only what sparked joy, after throwing seven 45-liter bags of junk out, after remodeling and repainting the entire room, I felt free.
Free.
It felt like a giant pile of stones was finally taken away from me. Clarity flowed through me. Here is what happens when you clean up your room: You go through yourself by going through your room. Your room is an externalization of your mind.
When your room is clean, your mind is clean. So go clean up your room, and clean it up completely.
A Little More of Less
A few other articles we think you might enjoy…
→ Changing Your Life Won’t Change Your Life by Joshua Fields Millburn
→ Delight in Uncertainty by Leo Babauta
→ 11 Ways to Buy Less by Karen Trefzger
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