#112 Minimalism
“Minimalism is not a lack of something. It’s simply the perfect amount of something.”
-Nicholas Burroughs
The Diderot Effect
The Diderot Effect is the idea that getting a new possession can lead to a never-ending cycle of consumption where you feel the need to acquire more new things. This causes us to buy things we previously did not need to be happy or fulfilled. The effect is named after Denis Diderot, who after experiencing wealth for the first time, bought a beautiful scarlet robe. This made him feel like he needed to replace his old possessions with new ones to match the beauty of his robe. These reactive purchases are known as the Diderot Effect.
This behavior can be seen in many areas of life. For example, if you buy a new dress, you may feel like you need to buy shoes and earrings to match. If you buy a gym membership, you may find yourself purchasing additional equipment, meal plans, and supplements. If you buy your child a toy, you may end up purchasing accessories you never knew existed. If you buy a new piece of furniture, you may start to question the layout of your entire living room.
Life tends to become filled with more, and we often have the natural inclination to accumulate, upgrade, and build upon what we have. We rarely consider downsizing, simplifying, eliminating, or reducing what we have.
Minimalism
Minimalism is not just about saving time, money, and resources; it is also a key component of success. Absorbing the principles of minimalism can help you become more productive, focused, creative, and exercise better willpower.
People often think having options is good, but when it comes to accomplishing tasks, too many options can make it harder to make the right choice. This is called the paradox of choice. On the other hand, imposing constraints on yourself can make it easier to get things done.
The easiest way to improve is by eliminating distractions. For example, to make a software program run faster, delete any non-essential code. To get stronger arms, focus on exercises that are relevant to your goal instead of wasting energy on unrelated exercises. If you want more people to read your blog, eliminate distracting ads, buttons, and widgets.
These choices are not about acquiring new skills, but about removing distractions and focusing on what is essential. Ignoring, reducing, and removing unnecessary choices can be just as valuable as learning to make better ones.
If something isn’t benefitting you, then eliminate it.
The Benefits
If you were to ask someone to give up all their possessions and only live with the essentials, they would likely question why they should do so when there are so many inventions and luxuries available to enjoy. They may argue that they have earned the right to live their life the way they choose. While they are correct in this belief, what they may not realize is that minimalism can be a very humbling experience that can provide them with numerous benefits they are currently unaware of.
Decluttering: As you begin to declutter and remove items from your drawers, closets, and attics, you will create more space in your home. This additional space will allow for easier movement and mobility. However, the most significant benefit will be that you are releasing the items you were holding onto, providing a sense of freedom and relieving the burden of the past. This newfound freedom will make it easier for you to breathe and move forward without the weight of unnecessary possessions holding you back.
Refocusing: If you possess a large amount of material goods, it can lead to a lack of focus in various areas of your life. You may become preoccupied with working enough to afford all of these possessions and expend considerable time organizing and storing them in your home. However, once you dispose of unnecessary items and reduce your household bills, it becomes easier to prioritize the essential aspects of your life such as spending time with loved ones and pursuing your interests.
Less stuff = more money: Eliminating possessions and luxuries from your home can open up new opportunities. Instead of spending money on buying, maintaining, and upgrading possessions, you can save that money and use it to pay off debts. By reducing your reliance on material possessions, you can lower your dependence on money and enjoy a more minimalist lifestyle.
Minimalism is a lifestyle that people can choose to adopt at their discretion, and they have the flexibility to decide how far they want to take it. There are no set rules or guidelines for downsizing one's life since every individual has their own preferences and requirements. However, most people discover that once they start practicing minimalism, they begin to enjoy the benefits and seek to continue on this path, which is a positive outcome for minimalists.
See you next Saturday, Until then, have a great time :)
Cheers!
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