Become a minimalist? - #NY22Minimalist - New year's resolution
What does minimalism mean to you? and why did you decide to apply minimalism to your life?
Can you believe that one can lead a minimalistic lifestyle without even realizing it?
It happened to me.
And that is the reason why when I started doing it, I did not care for its definition or what is defined as minimalist.
At that time I was backpacking around New Zealand after over a year working and moving along the country. During the first year, I bought a 7-seat second-hand car to drive to work and travel to nearby destinations. It was great as I could bring anything with me whenever I moved, just dumped everything in the boot and the back since I often traveled alone and there was plenty of room. I kept buying new things ‘cause there was still space for storage. It never occurred to me that these belongings would one day give me a headache.
I had a few months left of my stay, so it was time to sell the car. Until then, it hit me that I owned so many things, all boxes and containers filled with books, cooking appliances, and clutter that I picked up along the way or my friends gave me when they left. I kept these things with the thought that one day it would come in handy, but before it ever happen, I might be buried in this.
I planned to hitch-hike for the rest of my journey here, but nobody would give me a ride if I have too much stuff. And more importantly, it would be exhausting if I carry all of them.
I started to sort everything out, either donating, giving things away, or selling, I ended up with a few sets of clothes, hiking gear as I still needed them and my guitar. Though I had no idea what a minimalist was, I was only thinking about how to travel lighter and keep the bare necessities.
Needless to say, I enjoy travelling more than ever. I felt like a bird, fly as I like, stay as I please. I had more time and space to take in the scenery and talk to people without worrying about my luggage getting in the way.
Now, when I’ve been practicing minimalism for a while and have more time to learn about this lifestyle. I prefer to think of it as simplicity. I think one of the reasons minimalist came naturally to me is because I always prefer things to be simple and basic.
Whenever I decide to buy new things, I always ask myself if it is really necessary, if there is any substitute for it, whether I could borrow it from someone if I just need it temporarily.
However, it’s been difficult at times to decide what to let go of, especially when I come back home and live in the city.
The start of the new year is a wonderful time to look into new ways and practices on the minimalistic journey. I believe that this is a journey and not a destination and as a journey, we should be able to enjoy it, fail and learn from our mistakes.
Thank @millycf1976 for this initiative, I hope to learn more about the community and discuss with people who have the same interest or are on this journey.
I'd like to invite my dear friends @dora381 and @winnietran to join me.
Happy new year!
Enjoy the journey!
😘 That's totally the same as my situation, after the working holiday I realize that I started to minimalist without realizing it. Whenever start to buy new stuff, I always think "can I put it in my luggage?, is it easy to carry?, do I really need it?" and "a thousand questions of why" that makes me not buy it. And minimalist style just came as that.
So it's not just happened to me, but others as well. It's interesting to know that LOL.
Minimalistic traveling is the best haha.
Happy new year!
I LIKE YOUR STYLELIFE 😊
Thank you, I'm still practicing,it's so hard 😆
Hello @sunnyvo,
Thank you 😀
Hello @sunnyvo, the journey you travelled across New Zealand sounds amazing, and look just what it led you to. Great stuff!
So good to hear your perspective, and yes, I do think one can be a minimalist without even applying the term or even considering themselves to be.
Thank you so much for taking part in this initiative. Very appreciated:)
Thank you.
It's great to learn about this community.
I hope that I can pick up lots of tips and get motivated to follow this journey.
Happy new year!
You've very welcome, see you around:)
Em cũng đang hướng đến lối sống tối giản sau 1 năm 2021 tràn đầy rắc rối với đống đồ của em hihi. Chúc chị năm mới vui vẻ nhaaa
Yeah, nếu nói tới đồ đạc và dọn dẹp thì tối giản là cách đơn giản nhất để sống đỡ mệt haha.
Chúc em năm mới thực hiện được nhiều dự định của mình. 😃
Dạ em cảm ơn chị ạ
I didnt really think about this, but it seems really interesting.. i have seen a documentary about it but to read your story its another way to think about it.
I think maybe people have been doing it for a long time without even realizing it, but it's worth it to check it out.
I hope everyone could find many benefits from this lifestyle.
Yes, maybe they didnt realize it! Its so interesting to try different lifestyles so we know what is our favorite:) I think most people would like it..
Yeah I can see you are a true travel enthusiast. But wait, you can carry all those bags alone?
Yeah, it's not that heavy, and I just need to carry it until I get a ride or go on a short walk. 😂
Em là một cô gái đầy cá tính. thích cái mạnh mẽ của em quá. đọc bài của em chị thấy lối sống tối giản này nghe thú vị và hữu ích nè. sẽ cố gắng thực hành
Cảm ơn chị, hi vọng nó sẽ làm cuộc sống của mình nhẹ nhàng và đơn giản hơn.
Thank you for inviting me my dear. Same to you I've been practicing simple lifestyle without knowing anything about it. I was lucky to be born in a rural village where my parents and great-grandparents know how to use things efficiently. For example, they taught me to keep water after cleaning rice for our animals to drink or water our veggies garden. Or after washing our veggies, keep the water to clean dishes. Always use exact amount so we don't waste our resources. don't waste our electricity and so on. I've learnt many cool things from them and I just use their principals for other stuff. I know they didnt have slightest ideas about saving the planet and environment, they just try to do their best with limited resources to live their normal lives. But I am so thankful as it influences my way of living, my perception to our nature and how I want to live my life. Will try to put some ideas in a post when I am back from holiday. All the best for your new year
It's good to know that, my parents taught me the same thing about saving water for watering the plants or doing the dishes. Maybe small lessons like those are the ones that we take on our journey. Thanks for sharing and doing what you're doing.
Wish you a new year with great news!
yeahhh totally agree with you. Less is more.
Thank you! it's good to know that more and more people are aware of that.
Happy new year 🎆! 😊
Thanks, wish you a great year as well.