Minimalist Living In A Modern World

Some years ago,I read the book ‘Voluntary Simplicity’by Duane Elgin,which has become something of a classic amongst people seeking minimalist living,to change their lives from turmoil,materialism,and a poor work life balance,to something more holistic,a life that allows you to move away from the need for such a plethora of material goods,away from a life that fails to provide you with the mental and physical nourishment that you deserve as a human being.

I was profoundly affected by this book,and subsequent books I read on the same topic. Although I considered myself to be somewhat removed from the world of consumerism and greed,I certainly felt that something in my life was missing. It’s a strange thought,something was missing,and I hoped to find it by removing other things. I think the crux of the matter was that I needed to find peace in my life,to get away from the mental turmoil that many of us face,ideas,thoughts,preoccupations running around in our minds,never giving us the chance to rest,to contemplate,to immerse ourselves in the here and now.

The world has changed hugely over the last 30 years,and in the new millennium,profound change has occurred. A new world order is emerging,people in the Arab world are taking back their human right to self determination and democracy. Financial markets are tumbling,the world is in a state of flux and many would say,disarray. As I write this post,I have got up after watching scenes of rioting and lawlessness on the streets of London and other UK cities. People are throwing caution to the wind and getting involved in some of the most appalling scenes of disregard for human life and the property of others. Businesses are being burned to the ground,and for what?

As an individual,both you and I will be shocked by the scenes of rioting,killing in Syria,financial fallout in the world. Perhaps you are wondering what is going to happen next,I certainly am,and also concerned about the type of world my children will grow up in.

The London riots show young people with a blatant disregard for others,for the livelihoods or others. They perhaps have no money,no jobs,no positivism,and they are deciding to just go and take what they want. Perhaps they will one day realize that all the consumption and materialism is actually having a profoundly negative effect on many people’s lives,and that there is a need to step back,to reassess,and to perhaps move towards a life that is outwardly simple,but rich at it’s essence.

But how do we move towards a simpler life,how do we shed the chains that have imprisoned us for so many years? In this era of massive wealth for some,but severe scarcity for others,how do we adapt to a life of minimalist living that empowers us,and makes our lives amazing and worthwhile for our brief time as physical beings on this earth?

Are there a number of small changes that we can make in our own lives that can have a profound affect on both the lives of those close to us,and those in the wider human community? I feel that we have responsibilities to the rest of the people in this wonderful world,and by positive action we can help the world to be a better place,with community and inter-connection being at the heart of the human race. There is no doubt that there are plenty of people in the world who do some terrible things,but we need to move towards a strategy of giving and openness,rather than a closed and insular world where we criticize and fight against things we dislike,rather than fighting for dignity,respect,and a decent life for everyone on the planet.

I think that one of the min things that has been at the heart of my search for real happiness and fulfillment has been trying to find my purpose. Most people never do,in fact most people think they have little purpose other than to work,complain,and eventually expire. A life gone and never fulfilled. It is a pretty sad end for the majority of the world population isn’t it?

Examples of minimalist living strategies are diverse and difficult to pinpoint,there are so many differing options that will suit different people,and this consciousness is not an instant thing,it evolves over time as you adapt and grow. Below are a few ideas those seeking such a life change may consider.

• A room by room reduction in clutter and unnecessary items in the home. We all have far too much ‘stuff’and a cull of some of your items will free up space,allow you to better evaluate what is important,and to spur you towards more action in the future. My experience with de-cluttering has been quite profound. I used to get so angry when I couldn’t find things. In fact,finding stuff I actually wanted was a rarity. I’d end up buying replacement items and find the originals some months later. Not good for the mental health or the bank balance.

• Buying a mass of new furniture when you don’t really need it may give you a minimalist home,but is it ethical? I like to try to reuse furniture wherever possible,even painting it or revamping it to inject a few more years of life. Minimalist living might be about managing with less,but treading lightly on the earth and reducing one’s dependence of the valuable resources is central to the idea. If you do decide to buy new,see if you can give away,or even sell some of the old gear instead of adding to landfill.

• Additionally,as I am a big fan of the Pareto Principle,hence the name of this blog,if you you can utilize 80/20 thinking to help you with your reductionist plans,you will find that your probably do not use ‘most’of what you have. Look at ways of reducing your consumption of power and fossil fuels. During these times of increased energy costs,you might be surprised how much heat you can prevent from leaving you home with the addition of lined curtains,pelmets,loft and wall insulation. Here in the UK,I recently took advantage of a grant which allowed wall and loft to be insulated for around $300 USD. I’ve noticed a significant difference to the general ambient temperature over the last few months. There may be a grant where you live.

• If you do decide to revamp you home for that minimalist look,try not to go JUST for the look. Try to make it more of a lifestyle choice,than just something that looks trendy. The world will thank you far more than if you just base your decision on shallow aesthetics.

This website is designed to be a voice amongst the turmoil,a community where like-minded people can gather to share their thoughts and aspirations for a simpler life,a life where the wealth is within and all around us,not just in the bank account. Small changes lead to bigger changes,which lead to expansion of your whole thought process with regard to how you live your life. Please join in the journey towards minimalist living and a freer life with a wonderful richness that you have never experienced.

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