My Practical Insights on Minimalism

I have been trying to execute minimalism and applying it to my life since the last quarter of 2017. I cannot say that I was successful in my first attempt, or shall I say attempts, but not a failure either. The best word to describe my application to minimize everything is lukewarm. When I say everything, this means anything that you can minimize that is applicable to life survival.

I grew up in a crowded and overfilling house. And I am proud to say that I came from a big family. I have five siblings! Can you imagine how many books we had from elementary up until college? Yeah, tons! Clothing, food, blankets, pillows are abundant in our family.

My mom also used to buy appliances, house decorations, house accessories, figurines, kitchen wares, and basically anything that you can stuff inside your house. I remember seeing another furniture in our home one day and my father asked her where to place it and she just answered, “We’ll figure it out just put it there.”

I am not a fan of anything that is colorful. I used to wear plain black shirts and khaki pants or jeans in high school. I used to draw cartoons and paint surroundings but most often, I was anxious of intricate designs and I find them messy. I excelled academically that is why people in my life used to incorporate me with extravagant things or worldly ambitions but the truth is, I only want simple plain things in life. And living in a brimful, muddled house is one of my biggest influences why I wanted to go minimal.

Minimalism saves and generates money.

Do you have figurines that sit on your desk for years? I know that at some point, the decors had given an edge to enhance your house. Or it made you feel artsy or creative by using decorations. Do your beautiful house accessories get noticed whenever someone visits your place? Yes, some of them, or not at all. Do you even find time to clean all those in a week or they just accumulate dust in the corner?

Do you have themed clothing for different occasions? Do you always get to wear that expensive dress? Or that leather jacket you bought at a price? Do they still even fit you?

Do you love cooking? How many Tupperware, kitchen wares do you have at home? Or spices and herbs?

Some things serve us well but some are just for entertainment – to enhance our dull lives and give color to it. Some things are just there because we’re bored and Shoppee or Zalora are our best escapes. Ask yourself, is this a need or a want? Will this help me survive or just make me comfortable?

When I decided to be a minimalist, I started with Marie Kondo-ing my clothes. Then my appliances, furniture and decorations followed. And hesitantly, my shoes. Before I decided to dispose all of them, the only question was “Will I still survive without it?” If it’s a yes, it goes to Carousell or Facebook.

Surely, I had a separation anxiety for some of my belongings but most of them, I don’t even remember. Not that I am not sentimental or did not give any importance at all but the truth is, have forgotten them long ago, even before disposing them.

I sold my things online and gave a few to my closest friends. Guess what? That had generated me enough money to open another bank account and gain happier closest friends!

Our basic needs help us survive. Luxuries make us comfortable. You can save by acquiring what is only important to you and get extra income by selling their potential.

Minimalism strengthens and enhances your priorities in life.

Why do some students shift different courses and stayed in college for years? I don’t know. My only option during my college years is to graduate.

Entertain less choices, less information, commit to less events or promises that are equally unimportant and surprisingly eliminate unnecessary drama in life.

Before college, I wanted to take-up Psychology because I am curious about paranormal activities and I was thrilled to open my third eye, no I mean, Nursing because it was in-demand abroad. Oh yeah, Fine Arts because I can draw and sketch but I ended in taking up Accountancy because my Mom wants it. I also wanted to study in UP, so I took the entrance examinations in UST and PUP. I was fired up to transfer in ADU but ended up enrolling in NCBA, the institution nearest to our place.

During those times, I wasn’t really looking for anything to take or anything to achieve yet because for me, I was young and there were a lot of courses to choose from. I graduated with excellent grades, no worries. But damn, it is not until second year, second semester, that I realized I wanted to take-up Mass Communication and study in PUP. I was already aware that my Mum is already having a hard time paying tuition fees and I already spent my uneventful years in college. Plus the fact that I was taking one major subject on the third time! For once, I exerted effort in studying financial books, read accounting theories and familiarized myself with taxation.

I was in third year, second semester that I became the breadwinner of the family. I got a part-time job in a call center while having a full load of subjects. That time, my only goal became minimal – to graduate as soon as I can so I can cater cozily for the family.

From then on, all my decisions, choices and commitments were dependent on my goal. It was a success indeed. After I learned that I passed all the final accounting subjects in fourth year, I never went back to my school again and did not even attend my graduation. I applied for a full-time job after. No drama.

With a minimal goal, one focuses on what’s more important, sharpens skills and appreciates more of life’s existence.

Minimalism maximizes experiences and build lasting relationships.

Why do you think G cheated on B? Simply because G has another option, J.

Have you found yourself living in the future or in the past? Are you stuck with memories or with your imagination? Do you usually find yourself running away from something?

Now is the perfect time to be minimal. Too much daydreaming makes you forget your stand in life. It is overwhelming. Too much self-pity gives less self-value. It is degrading.

I have watched a documentary called, “Expedition Happiness,” which is about a couple who decided to travel using their customized truck and their dog. They are the typical adventure-seeking millennials who wanted to discover, create happiness and update their vlogs and fans. They sold their apartment, lived on the truck and traveled to see different places. At first, they were very exhilarated for every next adventure that came their way. But soon, they got inundated by the fatigue, decided to go home and celebrated Christmas with their families – the people who really mattered to them, not the fans of their vlog followers.

I used to celebrate my birthdays with numerous people I call friends, stuck food and booze to their mouths. But when I get very depressed with all the shit in life, I only get to talk to one or two without spending a dime for a companion.

Choose the people who you want to spend the rest of your life with and nourish your relationship with them. Stop seeking validation and existence by being popular. After all, not all will be willing to go to your boring underprivileged funeral.

Overall, I had to give up my things to gain money. I had to sacrifice my own wants in order to be the hero of the family, and those acquaintances who sent me messages just to invite me for networking business or ask for credit. Relatable?

Minimalism may not give everyone a contented and happy life. Especially those who believes in YOLO and experiencing FOMO. That is also why self awareness is a special requirement in applying this idea to life. Ask yourself:

1. What are the important things I want to give focus in my life?

2. What are the things that I am willing to give up to gain something?

As cliché as it can be, something’s gotta give. Start from there.

Your goals and their purposes five years ago may have already changed. Maybe, it is  time to seek another purpose which is more applicable to you. Good luck, future minimalist!