I’ve been inspired by seeing so many stories of people whose lives were improved by becoming a minimalist. I was drawn to the idea like a magnet. First it was the tiny house movement. I watched every documentary I could. It was so fascinating and appealing to me. But what could I do? My husband and I have 6 children and 2 grandchildren combined. That kind of makes a tiny house seem impossible. Then I read about the capsule wardrobe which also drew me in. It made me excited because it was something I could do. It was 100% possible. Bingo I found my way in to minimalism!
I’ve actually been on this journey “towards minimalism” for a couple years now. I’m sure you’re thinking that’s a long time and I should be completely a minimalist by now. I would like to share my views on this journey as a process and how it does not need to be rushed and why.
There are many types of people, in different phases of personal development. Some might be able to cut the cord to their physical things easier than others and that is okay. You know what else is okay? Taking your time. Doing your inner work and keep moving forward one attachment at a time. Let’s be honest, detaching from your material possessions takes some serious inner work for a lot of us. You may be the opposite of that, can easily cast your material items aside and bam you are a minimalist. You feel lighter, better and awesome. I’m truly happy for you. That is remarkable and I smile at what you have achieved.
Some of us get overwhelmed with processing emotions that come along with going through clutter and making decisions about it. If you are like me, you fall into this category. If that is the case I recommend taking time off from the process regularly to give yourself time to reflect and enjoy the progress you have made. After some time away from the tasks you will become energized and motivated to come back to it. As you move through the process the physical and mental space you are creating will expand. You will gain clarity which will fuel you emotionally to deal with removing more clutter. I do recommend to set goals, not timelines. Work toward a goal to give you motivation to complete a task.
If you are struggling through the journey but yet still very much want to make the journey don’t be discouraged. Be patient with yourself and please do not give up.
Some might ask, if you are struggling then why try to be a minimalist? Why put yourself through these struggles? Maybe you were not meant to be a minimalist if it’s difficult. It’s a good question to consider right? I have thought about it a lot and realize it needs to be said that there is a spectrum of minimalism. It can look different to you than it does to me. I may never live in a tiny house and have only one pot to cook with but it’s fine if you do. I have 50 items in my capsule wardrobe and it’s okay if you only have 30. There are a variety of reasons some of us move slower at this process and allow themselves to keep more things. It’s an extremely personal journey and process. Some work a lot of hours and devote what time they can to the process. Some have multiple children and squeeze in working on it when they can. Some encounter sickness and have to put it on hold. Some have a larger amount of possessions to go through so it simply takes longer. There is not a one size fits all model for minimalism.
I’m moving slowly through this journey but also feel so good about all of the stuff I’ve been able to remove that holds me back from truly living. I still have a long way to go. For me what works best is taking my time and analyzing regularly how I’m feeling about my personal belongings. Why I am keeping or not keeping each item? What truly matters to me? I may be on this journey for a couple more years and I’m okay with that. I have a vision for what it will feel like after it’s complete. My goal is to focus on what it will feel like and not so much what it will look like when the clutter is gone.
I hope you are encouraged not to give up on the journey. Let’s always consider how this journey makes us feel. It is the journey and what you learn about yourself along the way that is meaningful. How do you want to feel after you have removed the things that clutter up your life? Maybe the journey is not toward minimalism so much as towards simplicity. Towards clarity. Towards an intimate relationship with yourself. So for now, I’m happy being “almost a minimalist”.
Enjoy the journey and always be true to yourself!
~Jen