Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci

The minimalist life cleanse - your journey to a simpler life

I’ve never been too attached to the material things. Even when I was a small kid I preferred practical Christmas gifts. Besides, is there any better present than a box of favorite chocolates? How practical is that? Right? By the way, it perfectly explains why my childhood’s nickname was: “A cookie monster” well more “A chocolate monster”, I guess. But still. You’ve got the idea. Anyway, I’ve always believed in a practical approach to life and I never understood why some people surrounded themselves with material things… Even, if you are a fan of Madonna or Marilyn Monroe movies like I am you definitely shouldn’t take the lyrics and script too literally 😎 So be careful. Don’t fall into this trap of materialistic consumerism. Because this way of living will literally eat you alive. Materialism breeds unhappiness, of which we are all aware, but still we pursue happiness in the world of goods and we fail utterly.

Minimalism can cure your anxiety

Honestly, I think that people’s consumer behavior has got too way out of control. This is the main reason I hate it so much to go to the grocery shop. I suffer from anxiety and correct me if I am wrong, but is there a place that causes more anxiety than a shopping mall? I really don’t think so. People you can find there fall into three categories:  

1. The most loyal consumers with madness in their eyes… they will do anything to get what they want… I’m scared of those people…
2. The Completely and utterly bored that prefer to go for a Sunday’s walk in a shopping mall instead of going into the park and maybe take their kids with them could be a great idea? No, ok…
3. The Roadrunners who’s trip to the shops looks more like escaping from a coyote… - It’s a survival mode in a concrete jungle, guys… it’s a survival… You’re quick or they get you…

 And let me tell you, I am a proud member of the third group. I go to the shopping mall, well most likely to the grocery shop for essential stuff like food or coffee beans 🙂 Always prepared with my grocery list in my hand. And always with the mode “the sooner the better” switch on. I never stop because this way I could easily become a victim of various hostesses and promoters who count on your distraction… Yes, I know it is their work that’s why I am always kind, polite and even friendly but this exchange pleasantry with them lasts the only a fraction of a second. Besides, I am an anxious person so please don’t torture me with your incredibly convenient offer which in your opinion I just can not refuse. Well, I’m sorry I can reject it and I will… Sorry, not sorry. This is the main reason I prefer to buy on Amazon or eBay. I am telling you it’s the best way to avoid unnecessary stress. Unless you can but your stuff in a small shop. Unfortunately, there are less and less small family businesses today…

Well, that’s the price of a modern global society… a lot of advantages and even more disadvantages… But that’s a subject of a different discussion…

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. - Socrates

Cleanse your soul

Minimalism heals the soul. It paws the way to mindful and holistic living. The crazy thing is that it’s quite easy to check out. Don’t believe me? Take a look around and think about all the things you really don’t need in your life. Make a list of all the things you can easily spare. I am serious. Make a list of all the stuff you can easily live without but for some inexplicable reason you still keep them in your life. How many things you’ve bought that are more likely, a completely unnecessary purchase? But you’ve bought them anyway. Maybe because it just seemed to be a great idea. Or because someone else had it… Maybe a commercial convinced you that this particular thing will make you happier and more satisfied with your life… You can admit this. There is nothing to be ashamed of it. No one will judge you because we’ve all been there…

Minimalism is not a radical lifestyle

Besides, it’s really not that easy to escape from the cult of materialism. This whole new culture of materialistic capitalism gives us this illusion that the more valuable goods we own the more valuable people we are… Yeah, that’s a bulls*it. But just turn on the tv, read some paper or just look around and you will notice all these high on dopamine, too beautiful to be real models with a plastered smile on their faces telling you that you REALLY need this or that because your happiness depends on it… They do all their best to make us believe that our happiness depends on materialistic stuff… I’m so sorry, with all the respect but that’s a real bunch of cr*p. Materialism is a fake illusion. Nothing else.

Furthermore, it’s kinda dangerous because this whole materialistic approach to life eats you from the inside out, steals your soul and in my opinion, any sense of a person. Just think about it. How many times you’ve seen thousands of people queue outside the shop, sometimes even for days just to buy some new, limited edition product… I mean, it’s just insane…

And when you think about the times of The Great Depression or any food crises when people stood in a line for food or to withdraw cash from a savings account it just makes you sad… Actually, it doesn’t apply only to the past. Just look at the disastrous situation in some countries… it’s incredibly depressing… But you, know that…

Did you ever think that the things you take for granted are the things others are praying for? Yes? So, did I.

But now I am testing a new approach to life: mindful minimalism. Therefore, I started to simplify my life and make more space for spirituality and self-care. I never hid that feelings, emotions, state of mind and quality time with loved ones are what I consider authentic, honest and just real-life experiences. For some people, materialistic things are real because they can see and touch them forme the most beautiful and real things in life are not seen but felt only… Call me crazy, but it’s who I really am. Still, not sorry.    

Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things. - Isaac Newton

YES, I am a minimalist and NO, I’m not getting rid of that…

Not indulging in a materialistic world doesn’t mean that you have to get rid immediately of all the stuff you own. It’s all about a healthy balance. I am not saying that you should own only one pair of shoes or only two pairs of panties (because one of them is, of course in the laundry).

The same thing with a mobile phone. Just ask yourself a simple question: Do you really need a new mobile phone once every two months? Well, I dare to doubt it. And again, I am not saying that you should use a 40-year old cell phone, the very first brick-sized handheld mobile phone in the history of modern communication. Can you imagine that? That would be a bit inconvenient. So before you decide to get rid of everything you own, move into the small shack in the woods, of course, made by your own hands wait for a second. Minimalism is not about getting rid of everything but about creating a healthy balanced life. It is about being mindful and having a holistic approach to your daily life.

When your room is clean and uncluttered you have no choice but to examine your inner state. - Marie Kondo

Let’s make it more SIMPLE! Try these SIMPLE ways to SIMPLIFY (I’m so sorry I couldn’t help it) your life:

10 easy steps to living a minimalist lifestyle

1. Prioritize Your life

• Prioritize quality over quantity
• Value your time and others  
• Find a balance between productivity and relaxation

2. Choose Metaphysics NOT Physics (in terms of life experiences)

• Do a materialistic consumption detox
• Nurture your spiritual life
• Value more experiences than things

3. Collect Moments Not Things

While you are alive collect moments, not things, earn respect not money and enjoy love not luxuries. – Aarti Khurana

• Spend a quality time with your loved ones
• Quality time doesn’t cost a thing

4. Practice Mindfulness

• Practice mindfulness techniques on a daily basis
• Practice mindful breathing
• Do a mindfulness meditations to improve your focus, attentiveness and fight procrastination and distractions
• Reconnect with your intuition - listen to your gut

5. Work on self-awareness and self-consciousness

• Ask yourself why you think you need something
• Don’t overthink about the future and definitely don’t overanalyze your past
• Accept things that you cannot change

6. Practice self-care on a daily basis

• Create a healthy routine: morning, daily and night
• Learn to relax -indulge in the Italian ideal: dolce far niente
• Reconnect with nature - Double the time you spend outside
• Feed your passion

7. Do a mental housekeeping

• Clear some space in your mind - a healthy mind is a healthy life
• Keep a journal - cleanse yourself of negativity
• Let go of the past
• Read more books and watch less TV
• Reduce the amount of news you consume

8. Be honest with yourself

• Stop lying to yourself because it can only make you unhappy or even depressed
• Unfollow people who don’t inspire you
• Get rid of toxic and negative people in your life

9. Keep it simple and practical

• The golden rule: less is more (Think about baroque interior design… do you really want to live in this kind of environment… at least I don’t…)
• Invest in eco-friendly reusable shopping bags
• Recycle
• Evaluate your purchases - avoid compulsive buying

10. Personalize your minimalism

• Go for a practical and realistic form of minimalism - the one that works for you
• Design your own minimalistic system
• Get inspired

In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary everyday life. - Plato

Start living a more minimal lifestyle

1. Practice gratitude
2. Meditate on a daily basis
3. Make space for a spiritual life
4. Spend more time to loved ones
5. Go for a mindful walk
6. Wake up early and watch the sunrise
7. Engage yourself with pleasurable and joyful activities
8. Reflect on your day
9. Donate - Get rid of things that are quite new but you don’t use them and have no intention to do that
10. Buy one used item instead of buying a new one - I love to buy used books with someone else’s notes… there is a history behind this!  
11. DIY it yourself - handmade craft is never out of style - make a photo collage!
12. Buy less - go to the shops with a list
13. Get rid of negative emotions - start with anger 
14. Forget about multitasking at least for a while - go for single-tasking
15. Stay off-line for a while
16. Take some alone time - improve your relationship with yourself
17. Make a micro & macro goals list - prioritize your life
18. Clean up your home and desktop for god sake!
19. Be assertive and practice saying “no”
20. Stop procrastinating - Never put off till tomorrow what you can put off until the day after.

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. - Confucious

The benefits of living a minimalist lifestyle

1. Less materialistic lifestyle
2. Self-confidence improvement
3. Mindfulness - learn to live in the present moment
4. Realizing that real happiness comes from within
5. Unleash creativity
6. Focus on priorities
7. Higher emotional awareness
8. Grater purpose
9. More peace of mind
10. Lifetime memories

The pure magic of Minimalism

The minimalistic lifestyle is a purification experience. Because the less you become attached to material things the most peaceful and happier you are. Personal freedom and peace of mind are no longer haunted by materialistic consumerism. And your tormented soul starts healing.

There is no doubt that Materialism is a fake illusion. It’s a cruel joke. A misconception. It’s a false myth. So, if you really believe that material things will bring you the happiness you live in the realm of fantasy. Furthermore, this fake illusion is short-lived as a soap-bubble. Nothing more. Thus, the more you believe in this illusion the harder you fall when the dream evaporates… and this is always the case…

We continue to live in this culture of materialistic capitalism not even realizing that is eating us alive and slowly killing our soul. This fake illusion steals our happiness, peace of mind and authenticity of life experiences… there is no doubt about that. If you value more possessions than life experiences you risk to become a soulless creature that continues to live a meaningless and pointless life. If it’s not the way you want to spend your life make your decision, change your attitude and dig out your tormented soul from under this materialistic c*ap. Live an authentic and meaningful life. Heal your soul and find your life purpose.

Take care

Stay positive

Be mindful

And heal your soul

xx Kate