Sunday, December 27, 2009

Minimalism


“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say let your affairs be as one, two, three and not a hundred or a thousand… We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without.” – Henry David Thoreau.

What a great blog. It really inspired me. http://artofmanliness.com/2009/10/11/go-small-or-go-home-in-praise-of-minimalism/

These are the key points that I assimilated from the blog

the following are the principles of living the minimalist life as laid out by Babauta:
Leo’s Principles of Living the Minimalist Life
   
1.  Omit needless things. Notice this doesn’t say to omit everything.  Just needless things.

2.  Identify the essential. What’s most important to you?  What makes you happy?  What will have the highest impact on your life, your career?

3. Make everything count. Whatever you do or keep in your life, make it worthy of keeping.  Make it really count.

4.  Fill your life with joy. Don’t just empty your life.  Put something wonderful in it.

5.  Edit, edit.  Minimalism isn’t an end point.  It’s a constant process of editing, revisiting, editing some more.

I would add the following:

6.  Hold on loosely. Even to your prized possessions.  At the end of the day its relationships, not possessions, that make life worth living.


Well minimalism is going to be one of my utmost resolutions for the New Year..and a good one, that.

Links to other  minimal blogs
http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/10/a-guide-to-self-reliance-minimalism/
http://mnmlist.com


please do add any other blog links you like..

6 comments:

suvro said...

Its easy to say but difficult to execute.You see a new pair of Jeans at display you have many yet you want that.Buying that also gives you happiness.Not buying that to maintain your minimalistic way might make you sad.Which path to choose its confusing.Need some stronger logic to be minimalistic.Can you help me?I think you can. ;)

alternaview said...

There is definitely something to be said about being a minimalist. I think we have to audit our lives from time to time and make certain we are passing the minimalist test. It really does lead to a more productive and satisfying life. Great topic.

UnboundSpirit said...

Suvro,

The key is to ask yourself "Do you really need a new jeans??" or "Do you only want it inspite of having so many jeans" I feel analysing everything using the "Need vs Want" argument would never allow any place for confusion.

Being minimalistic differs from your logic of being happy when you "buy something that you like" Happiness can come from simple things as well which do not involve spending money.

Last but not the least Thanks for commenting :)

UnboundSpirit said...

Alternaview,

I strongly agree with the idea of auditing ourselves now and then, that would greatly help in achieving minimalism.

A very simple example of implementing this would be to maintain a diary of expenses.I have learnt this from my father. He notes down every single minimal expense that helps to keep expenses in check. Also it aids in minimalism..

Thanks for your comment!!

unknown said...

:) opvarmas@gmail.com says you are too cool , ur blog has filled in a smile that i have lost for last 2 months , keep going

UnboundSpirit said...

Thanks unknown :) Your comment brought a smile to my face. I hope I can keep filling in the smiles!!