“More was never the answer. The answer, it turned out, was always less.”― Cait Flanders
We live in a world driven by consumerism. Advertisements, social media, cultural norms are constantly pushing that we NEED more….more material possessions, more food, more media, more medications, more STUFF. Excessive consumption leads to bigger houses, more expensive cars, trendier clothes, fancier technology, and overfilled drawers. It promises happiness… but never delivers. In fact, this excessive consumerism hurts the planet, our health, our financial freedom and robs us of our joy by constant comparison. Sweatshops and factory farms exist because we want more than we truly need and this irrational demand has trapped us in MINDLESS production and consumption. In "The High Price of Materialism", Tim Kasser’s research shows that when people organize their lives around extrinsic goals such as product acquisition, they report greater unhappiness in relationships, poorer moods and more psychological problems. Relatedly, a study by social psychologist Marsha Richins, PhD, finds that materialists place unrealistically high expectations on what consumer goods can do for them in terms of relationships, autonomy and happiness.
So, what if we just stop and say we want less. Less social media, less clutter, less toxic ingredients, less spending, less stress, less mindless consumption. Wanting less and removing ourselves from the culture of consumption leaves space for healthy habits to emerge including contentment, gratitude, freedom from comparison and the opportunity to pursue an intentional life. Thoreau said, “ I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not when I came to die, discover that I had not lived”.
Below are 7 ways to find peace and freedom in less:
1. Become Intentional- Minimalism allows space for refocusing. When applied to daily life, it’s as simple as keeping the things that add value to your life and getting rid of the rest. Living with only the things you really need—those items that support your purpose- you focus more on those things that matter most; gaining freedom from the all consuming passion to possess and freedom from unnecessary obligations.
2. Reduce Debt- By not purchasing unnecessary items we amass less debt. Debt causes stress in our lives and may force us to work jobs we don’t enjoy. By steadily paying down debt, we are now free to work less hours or find a career that is more aligned with our values.
3. Time Freedom- The time we waste caring for possessions, drains our finances and energy. Whether we are maintaining property, fixing vehicles, replacing goods, researching better products or cleaning things, our life is being emotionally and physically drained by the care of things we do not need. The overwhelming burden of a cluttered environment can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and cause insomnia.
4. Practice Generosity-The surest path to contentment is generosity. Rejecting excessive consumerism frees up energy, time, and finances. Those resources can then be brought back into alignment with our deepest heart values. With that in mind, here are 6 mantras for letting go to support you as you release belongings, decluttering your physical and mental space.
I’m choosing what represents who I am now, not who I used to be.
I can treasure the memory, without keeping this object.
Someone else will take great joy in this!
I have everything I need.
My life is becoming calmer.
I feel lighter and happier.
5. Clean Eating- A minimalist diet is all about preparing food yourself. Choosing whole plant based food recipes that are simple and require only a few ingredients, saves you time, money and from poor health measures. Keep a clutter-free pantry stocked with quality foods you use regularly makes preparing healthy meals much easier.
6. Environmental Impact- Our earth does not produce enough resources to meet all of our wants. And whether you consider yourself an environmentalist or not, it is tough to argue with the fact that consuming more resources than the earth can replenish is not a sustainable trend. Living a minimalist lifestyle means freedom from excessive waste.
7. Calm Clarity- When you pare down your choices, they become much easier. Science has proven that clutter increases cortisol levels, which are associated with anxiety and stress. Small changes like decluttering a closet means less space taken up, less time spent doing laundry and less time choosing what to wear. Less mindless scrolling and binge-watching, means freedom from toxic advertisements and comparisons.
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