With the holidays here, minimalism is probably the last thing on your mind. This time of the year tends to be all about maximalism – all of the presents, all of the food, all of the lights, the drinks, the outings. More and more we seek, more and more we want.
So what can minimalism offer that beats that? Well, minimalism can actually offer something that maximalism rarely does: less FOMO and more peace. Respite from the pursuit of all the things we covet, whether it’s things we buy, goals we pursue and status we crave.
According to the Becoming Minimalism website, the definition of minimalism is “owning fewer possessions, living with intentionality, and finding freedom from modern mania.”
This definition isn’t universal, not all ideas of minimalism include having less, but the majority do espouse the idea of being intentional about what you have and how you live.
Numerous benefits backed by science can come out of embracing minimalism, including things like less anxiety and less stress, more ability to focus and better productivity, and a greater sense of wellbeing. Safe to say, the holiday season isn’t usually when we are seeing any of those benefits. It’s the exact opposite.
So during this time, incorporating elements of minimalism could be good for us and our loved ones. I’ve come up with a couple of quick visualizations to better understand and incorporate some aspects of minimalism into your life.
Imagine for a moment, that unfortunately, you’ve just learned you have six months left to live. After the initial shock and sadness of that diagnosis, you think about what you want to do with that time left. What does it look like for you?
I imagine some portion of that time you desire to spend with ones you love, having the experiences you always wished to have. I have a feeling that most of that time would not be spent amassing more stuff to put in your house. You may even want to give much of your possessions away. Using that visual, what would you let go of? What would you focus on?
You can start doing that now. Minimalism includes being intentional with our time and things, so begin with letting go of stuff you don’t need and embracing the simplicity of the life you want to live with your friends and family. It’s the experiences and time together that bring us the most joy and satisfaction. When the presents are being passed around at the holiday party, most of time we won’t even remember what we got or gave.
So be intentional and present in these moments, and worry less about how much your gift cost, who got something better, or whether or not you got enough. You already have enough.
Imagine you are an alien being from another planet, who knows nothing of humankind’s ways. You are beamed onto Earth in the middle of a bustling city. You observe all of the people around you. They are all rushing around, looking anxious, panicked and scared. They are busy talking on their phones, busy working, busy paying bills, finding the next best restaurant, busy, busy, busy.
No one looks happy, there’s no sense of calm.
Then you are beamed to a different place. It’s a place in nature, where you see mountains and trees, water and small animals. The pace here is slower, and the people you see here look more peaceful. They aren’t rushing around, they are resting or moving at a leisurely pace.
They don’t look scared or anxious or panicked. They interact with each other joyfully and fully.
Now you, as an alien, are given a choice to permanently step into one of these two lives. Which one would you choose and why? An aspect of minimalism can be about slowing down and appreciating the things and people you already have.
So you probably chose the second option, to live a more calm and intentional life. You want to create and deepen connections with those around you, and with your surroundings.
Again, you can start now. Focus more on what you value, versus what you think you’re supposed to value. Do you really need to have the best holiday lights on the block? Or the perfect meal for your loved ones? Being less and doing less is a better reward than chasing what things are supposed to look like during this season.
There is more to minimalism than what I’ve shared here, but these visualizations, and the actions you take to embrace them, could be a start. Here are some more resources about minimalism to explore:
10 Signs You Own Too Much Stuff - Becoming Minimalist
The Minimalists Podcast
35 Minimalist Tips for Beginners - Minimalism Made Simple
A Minimalism Guide for Beginners book – William Richards
Note: I may receive a small commission from items you purchase using links in this post.
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