Why More Isn’t
Better
Other countries do not
have the incessant need
to accumulate things the
way we do.
One advantage of living
minimally is that your
life is not crowded with
“stuff ” and “clutter,”
leaving you more time
for important things.
Living minimally
leaves a smaller carbon
footprint as you use
less of everything from
water to electricity. You
don’t need as much
furniture, clothing,
funds and energy to
maintain a smaller
living space. Larger
homes take up a lot of
time and money due to
extra costs, time needed
to clean and organize
them and the stress of
constantly keeping up
with everything.
By living minimally, one
avoids chasing “more,”
thus reducing stress and
being happy with what
one has. Less time is
spent decluttering, your
time is easier to manage
and your life is easier to
live when you choose
quality over quantity
and buy only things that
bring you joy.
I just moved into a
smaller place, which has
brought me a lot of joy
due to its wonderful
location and the fact that
I purged a lot of things
I had been clinging
onto for years. Purging
Living minimally seems to contradict
everything the United States
stands for. A minimalist eliminates
everything that is unnecessary and
focuses on a simpler way of life. It is a
philosophy not about living without,
but about living with better.
On a recent trip to Cambodia, family members had
pegs on the walls of their bedrooms with two or
three robes hanging down. There were no elaborate
closets, shoe trees, armoires, or chests of drawers. They
did not have kitchens filled with every gadget from
air fryers to cappuccino makers. They did not have
garages overflowing with so much stuff that cars are
kept in the driveway and they didn’t rent storage units
to provide space for more “stuff.”
my wardrobe is my
biggest challenge. One
suggestion is to start in
January with all your
hangers facing the same
way and as you wear an
item, turn the hanger
facing the other way. By
the end of the year, you
will see what you didn’t
wear for an entire year so
you can purge it.
It is also suggested
for every new item
purchased, purge an old
one.
Living minimally can
also apply to the digital
world. Unsubscribe
from unnecessary email
lists, get rid of cable
and watch programs
that truly matter to
you versus mindless
channel surfing.
Delete apps that you
never use, and read
magazines and papers
online instead of having
them delivered to take
up space in your home.
By saying no to buying
more things or taking on
more time commitments,
you are taking steps to live
a simpler more mindful
life.
EVERYTHING culture
Nancy Peltonen serves as President/CEO with The
Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. She
currently serves on committees for the Economic
Development Commission of Florida’s Space
Coast, Palm Bay Maker Faire Committee, and
State Small Business Expo Partner, and still finds
time to volunteer with many local organizations
and travel the world.
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