Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism Fumio Sasaki
Most of the stuff we own is wearing us down. Time to say goodbye!
Minimalism
A minimalist lifestyle involves having fewer possessions and using those you do have thoughtfully.
When we are buried under our possessions, minimalism enables us to experience freedom, satisfaction, and things we might not have otherwise.
Minimalism is more than just throwing away things we don’t need; it is a new way of life in which we are more in tune with the present moment and not distracted by the things around us.
Don’t get something just because it’s free
Our homes are not museums, and they do not require collections.
Don’t keep things just because they’re free. The low cost of something is not a sufficient reason to bring it into your home and life. Be intentional.
Don’t wash dishes that aren’t even dirty yet
Don’t be concerned about things that haven’t yet occurred. It can be overwhelming, daunting, and depressing to consider doing an everyday task every day for the rest of your life. It’s much easier to think about and tackle if you take it one day at a time, or one dish at a time.
Resist consumerism
We’ll spend less time being distracted by the media or advertisements if we practice minimalism because we’ll realize we already have everything we need. And when we’re feeling this way, it’s easy to dismiss what capitalism has to offer.
The art of throwing things away
While it may be difficult at first, it will become easier as you practice throwing things away.
Our belongings are similar to roommates, except that we pay their rent.
Consider department stores to be your personal warehouses. There’s no reason to have 40 rolls of paper towels, 25 spare lightbulbs, and 60 extra food cans. It takes up valuable space and ties up your money in something you might never use.
Using minimal energy
Your use of energy will decrease as you practice minimalism. It will come naturally, so you won’t have to make an effort to live sustainably. You’ll feel lighter and more in control of your life after downsizing your belongings and settling into a focused, simple lifestyle. Plus, you’ll be living in a way that’s better for the environment. And it feels fantastic!
Things we don’t know we don’t need
We frequently keep things around simply because they are there. But, if it vanished, would you replace it or be content without it?
Don’t be sentimental about things that were given to you or junk that is broken and needs to be repaired. Clear some space by throwing it away. It’s an illusion that we need everything we have.
Things attract things
When you buy a cell phone, you are getting more than just the phone. You’ll need a charger, a case, screen protectors, earbuds, and a slew of other extras. When you start a sport, you will need sport-specific equipment, clothing, and shoes. Let’s not even get started on crafting.
Calculate your minimum living costs
The phrase “minimum living costs” refers to the amount of money you must have in order to survive. Everyone should at least once calculate their own budget by adding up their rent, groceries, utilities, communication costs, and other expenses.
The world has changed too much
Our traditional brains are completely overwhelmed by the amount of information we consume and the things we must care for. Humans were not designed to focus on so many things at once. Yet here we are, doing it, and wondering why we are stressed, depressed, and unable to keep up with everything we need to do.
Gratitude
We can trigger sustainable stimulation through gratitude, which gives us more peace than buying something new or increasing our stockpile.
Don’t believe the billion dollar ad spending
Everyone began as a minimalist. Our worth is not the sum of our possessions. Possessions can only make us happy for a short time. Unnecessary material objects eat away at our time, energy, and freedom. Minimalists are beginning to recognize this.