DID THE VIRUS GIVE US THE KEY TO A HAPPIER LIFE? ~ MINIMALISM

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'How to be positive and live a happy life?' is the question of this decade! Has the coronavirus secretly given us the answer to this question? In this blog we will discuss what is minimalism and how does the ongoing pandemic catalyzes the trend of a minimalist lifestyle. How to live a minimalist life will be elaborately discussed in this article! Whilst addressing the most important question of all the questions, “Is minimalism a key to a happier life?”

WHAT IS MINIMALISM?

If as a minimalist person you see yourself living on Mount Everest like a monk then you have got it all wrong.

In the words of Joshua Becker, the best-selling author of “The More of Less”, ‘a minimalist lifestyle is about living with only the things you need. Minimalists are free from the desire to buy and accumulate more. Instead, they find happiness in relationships and experiences.’

In the simplest terms, I think minimalism can be explained as a synonym of the anti-materialist mindset. For example, if you have a low day and things didn’t go as you planned, what are you most likely to do to uplift your spirits? Some would say, I would buy a new dress (always puts me in good mood), for some it can be an exotic meal from their favorite restaurant and for some, it can be a relaxing spa. Seeking happiness from all these options isn’t awful but is clearly dependent on something ‘material’. Now think, what if your favorite restaurant isn’t open or the spa doesn’t have an available slot for you; I am sure your low day would plummet even more!

Minimalism doesn’t imply avoid going to restaurants or buying dresses or relaxing at spas, it teaches you to disintegrate your happiness from these factors. It unties your happiness from something that isn’t permanent! 

DID CORONA TEACH US MINIMALISM?

Sitting at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have been living somewhat a minimalist lifestyle. Living on what we need and not what we desire isn’t exactly a bad way to live. Sure, the virus is forcing us to live like this but we should clasp onto this lifestyle even when the virus is gone! It is no surprise that the environment is breathing well ever since human activity is reduced. The air quality index has improved drastically. The city of Mumbai has seen tens of thousands of migratory Flamingoes and water levels of rivers have risen.

Apart from a very positive environmental impact, we are learning to be self-sufficient in what we have. Locked in our houses we don’t have much choice but to thrive on what we already have. Do we miss going out? Of course! But is it the only thing that makes us who we are, of course not!

Not partying for a few months didn’t change you and it certainly didn’t kill you. I don’t mean to imply that partying is wrong or you shouldn’t do it but its time to realize that it doesn’t define you and it never did. It is more important to work on our relationships and friendships to make them more real and meaningful.

IS MINIMALISM THE KEY TO BE HAPPY?

How to be positive and learn to be happier? It is the question of this decade. Many are trying to answer this question and many more are trying to find the answer to this question. Has the answer been lying in plain sight? Has corona given us the path to enlightenment? Is this our Alchemist moment?

Apart from spending less and owning fewer possessions, minimalism teaches us how to be happy and reduces stress. Being detached from material possessions, we learn how to be calm and at peace. You learn to be more productive and thereby achieving your goals for the day becomes much easier. 

As I said earlier, Minimalism teaches us to untie our happiness from various possessions and helps us to value the real stuff like the relationships and things that actually makes us happy. There are numerous reasons that can contribute to our happiness and being minimalism can sure be one of them if not the only one reason!

ALSO READ--- Benefits of Minimalism 

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HOW TO BECOME MINIMALIST?

In order to live a minimalist lifestyle you have to one by one give up or throw out the things you love the most. It also includes any pets you have! Just kidding, you don't have to give up anything. Follow these simple hacks to make your life a little easier----

Declutter your space, throw out unnecessary items, and things you don’t need. It can be your wardrobe, the study, or simply your entire living space. You must repeatedly do this in order to have a clean and decluttered environment to live. 

The 100 thing challenge; Dave Bruno the author of the '100 Thing Challenge', is a project focused on breaking free from the constraints of American-style consumerism. He advocates for simpler living and successfully de-cluttered his life by whittling down his personal possessions to100 Things. You must listen to his Ted Talk.

Becoming a minimalist isn't rocket science and it can be achieved in the simplest of ways. 

In the end I just want to say that we all have the right to live our lives in our own desired ways (as long as it's legal). Minimalism isn’t something you practice because it is trending and some people you know are practicing it. It is something that should entirely be your decision. Not being a minimalist doesn't make you a bad person but becoming one would make a better one. Don't do it for the environment, or for the advocates of minimalism or for me, do it for yourself. 

LIVE GENTLY UPON THIS EARTH!