Living a Minimalist Lifestyle

The minimalist lifestyle is becoming more and more popular in today's society. You may be familiar with the word, "minimalist" as applied to art that was simple yet well-expressed. In essence, the minimalist lifestyle reflects living with what you need without collecting too much "stuff." Living lean works well for those who care about the environment and hope to reduce their carbon footprint.

Most people, at least in the United States, would have to admit they have too many material items, yet they keep yearning for more. Even in the face of experiencing financial problems, people try to obtain more goods. It is consumerism at its finest. Ask yourself, "Why do I keep buying more and more stuff? Do I really use all of it?" Adapting the minimalist lifestyle may be easier than you think. Focusing on not junking up Mother Earth helps maintain the lifestyle.

The frustrating reality of it is that, as we age, we tend to collect more and more insignificant belongings that would be better off sitting on the shelf at our local thrift shop. Years ago, many of us lived by the adage, "The one who dies with the most toys wins." Another saying by an unknown author, "Out with the old and in with the new" encouraged buying more. Now, people bruised by economic collapse or those vowing to live life more consciously-a minimalist lifestyle- are trending toward paring down.

Interestingly, minimalism fits very well with the world's increasing focus to save the environment. Many of us are trying to apply the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) in our everyday lives. The minimalist lifestyle encourages us to get rid of clutter, use what we have, and pass on to others what we no longer need.

Do not confuse a minimalist lifestyle with a primitive lifestyle. With the minimalist lifestyle, you can have what you want and need to be comfortable in your lives and spaces. Think "less is more." Ask yourself, "What do I really need to live a happy life?"

Reduce Your Material Possessions to Maintain a Minimalist Lifestyle

Every time you look in your closet, do you see boxes full of clothes that either don't fit or are out of style? Do you wonder why you are still holding on to all those items? If you threw them away, would you miss them? Would you think, "Oh my gosh, where's my purple blouse, the one with the yellow dots? I must have it right now!" In the minimalist lifestyle, you have what you need without possessing alot of extra "stuff."

A major goal of the minimalist lifestyle is to be able to live a great life as you simplify. One way to make life easier is to reduce your possessions. Doing so is possible and can relieve money stressors. If you are making do with less, you are most likely spending less. And that translates into fewer money worries.

Re-Use Items as a Way of Living a Minimalist Lifestyle

Think about how you can re-purpose items you no longer use. Sew purses out of old clothing. Affix colorful patches of fabric to old jeans to make them new again. Worn-out bed sheets can be cut apart for cleaning cloths or clipped pieces can be seamed for dishcloths. If you have a friend who sews, ask her if she wants some of your older clothes to make children's or doll clothes from it. Living a minimalist lifestyle will bring out your creative side.

Recycle Your Belongings as Part of a Minimalist Lifestyle

Make a decision to recycle what you haven't worn over the past year. You can drop off a couple of boxes of clothes you no longer wear at the local Goodwill or clothing consignment shop. Wouldn't it be nice to earn a few dollars and know that someone is getting some use out of your unused clothing?

What about giving some items away to friends and family? Those wool suits you never wear now that you live in the south? Give them to your friends and family that still live up north. What about that breadmaker you don't use anymore? Gift it to your neighbor who would love to have one. Demonstrating generosity is an important facet of a minimalist lifestyle.

Bartering as an Aspect of the Minimalist Lifestyle

Consider bartering. There are movements across the world to trade belongings you no longer want or use for something you would like to have that someone else owns. Websites like U-exchange.com and Craigslist have become meccas for people to trade away items no longer desired for "new" items.

In summary, the minimalist lifestyle is a fascinating avenue that many are gravitating toward living. Coupled with conscious living and a focus to make the world a better place, achieving a minimalist lifestyle is an important goal. Add in reducing, re-using, recycling, and bartering, and you can live a simpler, more inspired existence.

Sources

Craigslist website

Treehugger website

U-Exchange website

USA Today website