I am not a minimalist, but I have read various articles on the internet about adopting minimalist tips. I can see that the benefits and pleasures that would arise from this would be more clarity, order, time, space to create, and ease in finding things.
I am currently in a temporary situation
staying with my sister, in which most of my possessions are in the one room
that I sleep in (and in which I spend all my time in when I am at home). And there are a few other things I have left in boxes and keep stored
in the garage. So trying to stay organized is challenging for me right now, since I am always digging through boxes to find things, and I don't have enough selves to organize everything.
Through the understanding of Epicurean ethics, there is no absolute
rule regarding what and how much one owns. So the choice is to decide
what brings pleasure. I think that there are elements of minimalism
that could aid in bringing happiness for people who might be drawn to the need for simplifying life.
"Principle Doctrine 5: It is not possible to live joyously without also living wisely and beautifully and rightly, nor to live wisely and beautifully and rightly without living joyously; and whoever lacks this cannot live joyously."
I like the feeling presented when this Principle Doctrine says "to live beautifully" -- the artist in me feels like there is validation and a way to feel good through what I choose to surround myself with.
I am dipping my toes into the idea of bringing in some minimalist elements of a cleaner and simpler environment into my life (and there is no need to go off into adopting asceticism). I can choose what works and according to what I think I need. I close my eyes and imagine a very clean and clear space, where everything is perfectly organized. And I don't want to feel like I am living in a storage closet. This is a good article on minimalism: https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-minimalism
Some areas in my life that I want to simplify:
1. First off is my wardrobe: I don't use all the clothes that I own, but I still hang on to them "just in case". Also, I keep things that I don't really like because they might be useful later, and so that I won't have to re-buy them in the future. I think my solution will be to sort and box up some things (properly labeled) and also give away some things to a thrift store.
2. Everything else that I don't use and don't need - this would include supplies for craft projects that I know I won't ever do. Paperwork that I no longer need. Books I know I will never read again.
As for the starkness of minimalism, that is something that I don't like one bit. So ideally I would blend minimalism and hygge.
"Like any widespread trend, hygge has drawn criticism from those seeking to defend its roots. While American stores often brand cozy socks, sweet coffee mugs, and candles as “hygge” in an effort to capitalize on the trend, some Danes haven’t been shy when pointing out that hygge is not about buying things—in fact, it’s quite the opposite." https://bungalow.com/articles/all-about-hygge-learn-how-to-enjoy-danish-style-coziness-and-conviviality-at
I was surprised to read that hygge is more about people than things. So the cozy quality is for the ambiance of shared space and shared time with loved ones. So the question is: what is a single person who is very introverted and has just moved to a new city to do? Perhaps there are others who have few friends, and so the hygge lifestyle becomes more of a "how to build a cozy home interior" -- and that's okay.
My first step to become more hygge: create a better Zoom meeting space by bringing in some hygge elements -- and I think my Zoom friends will appreciate it! :-)
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