While some people cannot imagine life without the latest products, on the other hand, the number of those who swear by minimalism is growing. Why has minimalist living become so popular among modern generations, how does it relate to our spiritual life, and how do we even get started?
At a time when we can buy almost anything we want, there are people who plan they resist the accumulation of things – such a philosophy is called minimalism. A case of a life movement whose satisfaction comes from relationships and happiness, not from material things.
Such a philosophy of life is not new, as it was already lived and preached by ancient Greek philosophers, Buddhist masters, as well as modern millionaires from Silicon Valley. There are no strict rules regarding this way of life, but the first condition is that we are be honest with yourself. Are we ready to resist the temptation?
Why is minimalism so popular?
American researchers in the field of psychology dealt with the issues of minimalism and its importance in modern society. They found that each generation that takes its place among adults she wants to live differently than those before her (as their ghosts lived). We live in the last time in an age of overconsumption – a lot of things are disposable and a lot of media encourages consumerism. And that's why these generations are reacting against it. Instead of buying cheap fashion for one season, they opt for simple fashion combinations that will last for years. For example, we can take the father of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, who could afford a new wardrobe every season, but sticks to repeating the same pieces, and with that save energy for others, more important decisions.
A large proportion of modern generations cannot make the same decisions as their parents. If their parents' main goal was to secure a roof over their heads, modern generations find it too expensive to enter the real estate market – is a consequence of this increase in mobility. Among other things, this generation changes jobs more often, which means that it is flexibility became the most important asset. He is with him also brought up the fact that they can no longer afford a suburban house with a basement, garage and garden, but living in a small apartment (usually with roommates) with a small amount of stuff. And even if such a lifestyle seems doomed to "suffering", it is actually a rewarding experience luck and quality relationships.
How does spirituality relate to this?
Part of minimalism is also connected with the promise to do something with this way of life good for society and his own soul. Scientists in the field of theology say that the most famous minimalists are monks. The reason why the minimalist movement is popular among different religions is precisely that expresses connection with responsible life. Minimalism is not a movement that rejects nature or people, but rather a way to protect relationships that have been threatened by greed and of violence.
So the main reason why minimalism is so popular is that it is man began to gain social consciousness. Shopping less clothes means less exploitation of underpaid labor, less use of different products means less growth in landfills, less real estate means less consumption and less energy, etc.
Social injustice and concern for the planet play an important role in the rise of minimalism, but we must not forget the fact that the less we work and buy, the we can spend more time with people, that we love. Scientists write that modern generations want simplified life. They would much rather live to work than work to live, so they are constantly looking for spiritual ways, how to live fully, a simply life.
How to start living a minimalist life?
In recent years, the number of individuals who s sharing their minimalist lifestyle with the world, grew. Blogger and guru Leo Babauta so he says that the minimalist life is like therapy to cure our social neurosis. Physical clutter was created precisely by shopping to distract us from the uncertainty in our world.
The advantage of minimalism is that we don't have to give up all the things we own at once, but we should start to gradually regulate a certain area of life. When we tackle it, we will slowly move to other areas as well and will thus create an oasis of peace in the chaos in which we otherwise live.
Even if they are social, psychological and economic the benefits of minimalism are noticeable, scientists and Babauta are not convinced that the modern generation adhered to the principles of a simple life. Once we humans start expanding our family, we will always have less time to control one's own behavior and we will gradually turn into our parents, even if we have resisted it so much. This after all every generation does, they add.
What do you think?? Could you live in a minimalist way? Write your opinion in a comment!
