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Just like in any sub-genre of Intentional Living, minimalism serves its purpose. In fact, that’s how you can define a minimalist lifestyle: acutely observing the purpose of everyone and everything in your life. Minimalism is often associated with intentional living. Its connotations of “having purpose” enlighten the broader definition of intentional living, meaning that we—those who are choosing to live intentionally—can insert intention into all that we do. Thus, there is a lesser need for more in our lives because we’re fulfilled by that which we already have. We’ve talked before about finding balance between the needs and the wants. Well, a minimalistic lifestyle is precisely that. Understanding what you need on a day-to-day rather than filling that time with what you think you want. But I think we can take this even deeper.
I’ve discussed on the Do the Damn Thing podcast the importance of meeting the desires we have for our potential future in our present moment. It’s been reflected on that we often fill our lives with physical things we think we desire to fulfill an emotional need that isn’t being met. Finding ways to meet the emotional needs of our future self right now to feel more fulfilled and present in our lives. What if we approach minimalism in the same way? A sort of roundabout effect in which we purge the things in our lives no longer serving us to reach unmet desires and emotions when that space has been cleansed and clarified. Minimalism, like intentional living, can —to an extent—be approached individually. But its result is similar. Things no longer exist in a person’s world, and new expectations will be set for that new space.
Minimalism to Bring about New Emotional Space
There has been a great amount of literature published on the effects of “purging” to cleanse the mind. When we purge, and we’re left with what we’ve kept, we take note of the reasons why we’ve kept it, and those things suddenly have a bit more value and meaning in our lives. We step back and note a few “why’s”. Why we initially brought whatever it is into our lives. Why it’s important. And why we’re keeping it in our lives today. These three why’s can translate into both a physical and emotional sense of freedom. Minimalism, in essence, rids you of physical entities that no longer serve you. So when you purge out your closet, you’re getting rid of clothes. But are you also not freeing yourself from a bit of baggage that you’ve outgrown?
Clothes are a symbol of who we are. As we grow, so does our taste, style, and body. So it’s only natural to want to cleanse your closet every once in a while and get rid of the things that no longer fit the aesthetic of who you are. How do you usually feel after? Do you have a bit more appreciation for the clothes you’ve kept? A better viewpoint on the outfits you can create and the style you’ve curated for yourself? This is one of many examples, but one we can all relate to. So by getting rid of these things that are no longer serving us, not only are we creating space for new things in our lives and our future, but we’re creating space in our vibration to welcome new things where before we “didn’t have the space.”
Embrace What You Have Now
Once the purging ceremony has been completed and you’ve Marie Kondo’d your entire life, take a moment to appreciate all that you’ve done. You were able to recognize what, and perhaps who, was no longer serving you, and you were able to give it a timely exit. The space you’ve opened in your life is not just a physical space but emotional and vibrational energy, allowing you to accept more love and light into your existence. This new space isn’t meant to be immediately filled with new things and new people. It can be met with new anxieties, putting you right back in the place you started. Unable to process emotions because you don’t have the space in your life. Now you’ve got the space, what are you going to do with it?
Breathe. The minimalist lifestyle serves to ease the chaos and anxiety that often comes with having too much. Of what? Anything. Don’t immediately go looking to fill this new space–that will happen on its own with time. Instead, embrace this new space you have. Look to what you’ve kept in your life and give those things and people attention. If there is something that you desire in your future and are constantly looking to it, find ways to fulfill that desire in your life right now. Give yourself the best possible present moment you can so that when the future does happen, you’ve set yourself up for your greatest potential for success by giving yourself the space to excel in that achievement.
Live Purposefully
But remember, live purposefully; you don’t necessarily have to live “minimally.” Find what in your life has great meaning and allow it to serve its purpose. Your space is sacred and telling of not just who you are but who you want to become. Allow your space to tell that story. The vibrational energy you pull from the things you use day-to-day affects how you live your life. Let the energy you pull be the spark that propels you into the future you desire.
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