Today it’s a slightly shorter post to stir your brain juice. My fight against the flu is coming to a close, and my thoughts are not ideal for inspirational writing. However, I’m committed the promise I made to you in my first post.
Today, I would like to raise your awareness to a passionate topic of mine.
Here’s why.
I was in the kitchen the other day and I observed my house mate preparing a cup of tea for breakfast.
He filled the 1.7 litre kettle to the top.
The thing that got me was there were only two people to prepare a beverage for!
I see such acts as wasteful.
Rather than focus on creating an external ‘enemy’ that can be blamed (such as ‘dirty’ electricity), I feel it is more constructive and beneficial to focus on the behaviour that drives the action, and replacing it with something more sustainable.
I introduce to you the concept of minimalism.
I’d like to use this post as a short essay on becoming aware to the concept of minimalism. I’ll be sure to discuss it more in detail at a later date, and you will see it pop up more in the topics that I write about. This post will make you aware of the minimalist concept, and present two examples to present a different way of thinking.
What is minimalism?
There are many definitions out there.
I see minimalism as a way of living and being that embraces the natural boundaries we were biologically programmed to follow.
We are presented with so many options in life, many of them not helpful to our way of being or personal growth. An abundance of options can lead to anxiety, depression, helplessness, confusion, and procrastination.
Life is full of abundance. You may not realise it, but take a good look around.
How do you move forward and not become victim to these options?
In many ways, it’s a choice.
A choice that is made when times are excessively abundant, and the lure of ‘taking the cake and eating it too’ is strong.
Let’s look at an example.
You go shopping for groceries and see yummy food items that you really, really want. They aren’t on your list, and you know you have plenty of food options at home. You are salivating. The desire is strong. “Why not? I deserve it” you try to justify.
You choose not to buy. Why?
You realise that there is food at home to be used. If you buy these extra items that you don’t really need, then those you already have will go to waste. Not only will this cost you more, but your wastefulness affects the wider community and nature too (more food needs to be supplied; more waste to landfill).
Congratulations. The choice you’ve made is one that reduces pressure on both yourself (finance, choice) and the greater environment.
You’ve just practised minimalism.
That’s it. Just a short musing to express my thoughts on minimalism, and how the act of boiling a kettle led me to think of the greater meaning behind this simple, daily task.
Minimalism is a choice to live with a greater awareness of your impact on the world.
Maybe you can see ways where you are being led by abundance. I encourage you nurture this awareness to the concept, and challenge your decisions in future.
I appreciate you taking time to read my work. If you like it, please share it with your friends on social media using the buttons below.
The more people I can help, the happier I’ll be.
Yours in inspiration,
Jason
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