Minimalism – Give it a Thought
BHARAT CXO ( CEO CIO CTO CHRO CFO CISO COO)
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Minimalism is a culture of less is more. In a world of never ending expectations, a wish list of experiences, infinite possibilities, even a mention of minimalism reduces chaos in everyday life. At a deeper level it helps one to release oneself from the burden of negative emotions like insecurity and self- guilt. It can help tackle the constant feeling that haunts most of us – “Oh! I don’t have enough”. No, it is not just an idea for the sages or the austere; it is for each one of us.
Following are simple ways to begin with minimalism:
Declutter allows one to differentiate between things which are useful and those which are not. Also it helps to find the right thing at the right time thereby reducing the need to stock extra. Old outfits, older house items, worn out gadgets which we may not use ever should be parted with. In fact it is intelligent to do away with them the moment we get a new one such that it is in usable condition for the other party as well to whom we pass it on.
Social media is an instant way to connect with the world and unfortunately it has emerged as the biggest reason for our distracted existence. ‘FOMO – Fear of Missing Out’ is not just a term in vogue, it is a harsh reality where we crave to experience or hold on to something even if it is in contrast to our interests in life.
For instance a young boy has never been fond of water, he sees an Instagram post where his friend shared a video of him scuba diving in Maldives and from that moment, this boy starts craving for a similar vacation. Isn’t it strange that something which was never a part of your dream suddenly becomes a cause of sadness?
The first step towards adopting minimalism would be to disregard such societal influence that leaves you with two crippling options of ‘Imitation or Intimidation’.
Before going shopping, pre decide as to what pattern, what brand, what style you want to add to your wardrobe or collection. A random shopping spree leads to excess buying, probably more than what you can meaningfully consume. Also one should stay updated about the latest trends so that courtesy the minimalistic approach you don’t end up presenting yourself or your space shoddily. The appearance should be smart and at par which gives a fresh lease to this idea of less.
You can also go for sustainable product options like – vertical farm produce, green fabrics, toys and artefacts made from recycled products and more.
Our to-dos are something that guides us throughout the day. A balanced to-do goes a long way in helping us. Learn to say no to some commitments, responsibilities and interactions. Its ok to say – “I will not be able to handle so much.” While the martyr in you cries to make you into a superhuman, be humble, quieten it and stick to your limits. Especially when you are in bigger cities where multiple external factors are at play most likely to disrupt your flow as planned. Do less but do well – try filtering your priorities. One effective way is to not include an activity in all 7 days so that on a given day you can focus on a limited set of tasks.
Wabi Sabi is a Japanese term rooted in Zen culture. It means seeing beauty in imperfection – An attitude where we don’t demean the grandeur of something old as its beauty and charm is nothing less than a newly manufactured object.
Try to mend broken things and put them to use. Discourage your immediate intent to replace. That way you can also teach the idea to the posterity from a young age. Japanese history says that in their society they used to mend a crack in a broken artefact using gold so that imperfection looks even more magnificent thereby encouraging Wabi Sabi.
Minimalism does not need justification – so no need to harp about the rationale behind repeating a particular outfit or reusing your mother’s old belongings. Propagate it amongst those who wish to learn and adopt not those who judge your ways. Be confident and consistent to – don’t give in to impulses. Yes, it may be difficult initially but conviction will make it effortless.
Minimalism humbles a person and allows one to slow down. To reset and restart after having redefined what is important and what is not. However, that does not give you the right to think that the others are anywhere below you. Taking pride in a minimalistic approach is one thing and belittling the lifestyle of those who think otherwise is another. Understand that cynicism around this approach will only make it look like a crazy path travelled by a handful of crazy few. To increase its acceptance in a casual way it should go in a flow where you choose to be what you want to be restricted only to yourself not imposed upon others (even family).
To me myths are a convenient excuse for not doing/following a radical ideology which we connect with but don’t have the courage to adopt. Certain common myths surrounding minimalism are:
It is for the loners and rebels who don’t have a family to look after or answer to!
It leads to dispassion and disinterest in an otherwise colorful life that God has blessed us with!
It is for the ones who are stingy or not financially well off!
To conclude you can’t be minimalistic in one sphere and an aggressive consumer in another. It has to be a binding approach across all the aspects of your life – Be it food, clothing or shelter. Only then will it transform from a conscious habit to becoming a way of life!
By,
Ishita Bhatnagar Shetty