I feel it's important to be aware that there is great difference between the condition known as spartanism, which has to do with living with as little as possible. Or living within the bounds of a flexible minimalistic lifestyle, and that's what I'm doing.
To enjoy a life well lived with less there isn’t any reason to keep track of how many items it takes in order for us to live efficiently and thrive. Minimalism is not a competition to see who owns less. Minimalism should and will look different for everyone. And while minimalists share a common trait of pared-down possessions, there is also much diversity. All minimalists are not alike.
Living minimally also does not require upgrading, replacing and owning only the best. If whatever we currently own was good enough when we made the decision to buy or acquire it, then it is good enough to live with until there is a practical reason to replace it. Living with less serves best when it’s filled with an abundance of possibilities, and viewed as a limitless opportunity.
The Nobel Art of Imperfection
One of the greatest mistakes we can make is to be obsessed with perfection. Perfection is an illusive goal leading to unhappiness. Seeking perfection will send us marching to a less loving, less caring, less gracious, less spiritually illuminating drumbeat. The Latin root of the word perfect means only finished not without flaws.
My journey toward less was a return to my roots. A homecoming. Coming back to my core values gained within a culture and lifestyle back in a time when an average amount was not supersized. It was a means of reclaiming my spirit and vital energy, with an understanding that living meaningful takes time. Fundamental to me is my happiness at home. In my quest to live with less I have not abandoned my favorite things. Yet everything I have is either useful to me, or it opens up good emotions.
My home contains books, baskets, color, flowers, music and fun dishes to serve the food we prepare. I have sentimental items from my children, husband and friends. For me these things are not frivolous or nonessential, but an important way for me to enjoy my life.
I have a small, well-functioning wardrobe and this offers me greater pleasure than the jam-packed closet I had back many years ago. But I did not let go of my large wardrobe all at once. It was a series of steps, carefully planned and charted over a number of months. Slowly I began releasing the items that were no longer necessary for me, and I began a ritual of no longer buying or bringing unnecessary new items into my home.
Just as important as knowing what I want to eliminate from my life is knowing what I want to keep. This gives me all the more reason to begin asking myself on a regular basis:
Am I living with harmony and fulfillment?
Do I spend enough time in quiet reflection and contemplation, away from social media, and away from the marketplace, and allow time to listen to my own thoughts?
“The waves echo behind me. Patience. Faith. Openness, is what the sea has to teach. Simplicity. Solitude and Intermittency.”—Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Happier with Less Follow along with me.
