The two terms minimalism and inner peace are both equally difficult to explain in their true entirety, but at the same time, the latter is an end goal of the former. Let’s try and understand the two concepts first, which will make it easier to explain the connection and how we can use minimalism to achieve true inner peace.
Minimalism as a Lifestyle
Minimalism started out as an opposing movement to abstract art in American culture back in the 1960s, but it has since branched out into several other categories beyond art. Minimalism has manifested today as a lifestyle that incorporates simplistic living in the true sense of the word, across all possible aspects of our lives and interactions.
Although minimalism in its entirety is too vast for us to include everything here, highlighting a few core principles of the minimalist lifestyle should help us understand it better.
- Focus on what’s important to you and only what you need
- Reduce excess to the best of your ability, so that you can find and focus on what’s really important
The Goals of Minimalism
The immediate goals and objectives of minimalism can be different for different people, but it all comes down to:
- Removing inner turmoil by letting go
- Getting rid of all that can be considered excess
- Getting back control over our own time and health
- Carpe Diem or seizing the moment
- Finding hidden talents and exploring them
- Contributing to society and growing as an individual
- Finding purpose in life
- Freedom and independence from materialistic bounds
- Lasting happiness
- Sense of fulfillment
Inner Peace is the End Result and Final Goal of Minimalism
When you are happy, content, helping others, have gained a life purpose and feel truly free, inner peace is achieved naturally. If you sum up all the goals and objectives of a minimalist lifestyle already stated, then it shouldn’t be difficult to discern that inner peace is the ultimate goal of leading a minimalist lifestyle and it has always been so.
Start by Getting Rid of Painful or Devalued Materialistic Possessions
Although people may tell you otherwise, there are no strict rules of minimalism because that in itself would defeat the purpose of living freely. However, the best way to get started on your journey would be to first rid yourself of the things in your life that are not required or don’t matter anymore.
For example, it’s very common to see people holding on to their engagement rings and wedding rings, even long after what the two rings symbolized is gone. If you can relate to that, definitely sell the diamond ring because it’s keeping you chained to bad memories, sadness, a sense of loss and the past. Just make sure that you get a good price for it to help you get started with a clean slate.
Remove Physical Clutter
Not only is a cluttered room in direct contrast to minimalist ideas, but it’s also a significant cause of stress too! Try the few tips as stated below and you will be surprised by how relaxed and liberated the redecorated room will make you feel.
- Opt for light colors
- Remove all furniture and stuff you don’t really need or even like that much
- Use multipurpose furniture such as a sofa-bed
- Wall-mount the TV
- Shift to wireless tech as best as you can
- Shift to an adequately sized, capsule wardrobe
Never forget that the idea of living minimally is not about living in misery like a lot of people make it out to be. If something doesn’t feel liberating or you don’t feel it’s the right move, you don’t have to do it. If someone is pressuring you to sleep on the floor, they are low-key fascists! Move at your own pace, take one step at a time and, most of all, never forget that the idea is to make an effort towards living a simple, happy, peaceful, and focused life.
This is a collaborative post supporting our Peace In Peace Out initiative.