This minimalism lifestyle is becoming more and more attractive to me with every project I start on, and complete, or maybe not complete fully because this is like peeling layers off an onion. It is to awaken from a long slumber, to unplug from a matrix. The calmness and simplicity that minimalism is bringing to our lives is something I am looking forward to on a daily basis.
What a wonderful feeling of happiness to do shopping and stick to my 10 item list. Well almost. A beautiful winter top and some hot chocolate for the kids slipped into my shopping cart. But it is okay because I am so much more aware of my WHY now, before I buy something that isn’t REALLY necessary. I am well on my way towards living intentionally. And I know each passing week my liberation from the consumer matrix will be more profound. Not that I have ever been a big spender on gadgets and household items to start with, because I have always been a believer in quality over quantity. But I have to challenge my consumer mindset about quite a few things…
Clothes. I mean who needs a sweater or jacket in every shade of beige/stone or grey? Just in case, you know?
Coffee. I am honest… I am a coffee addict. And coffee machines. I have three. And three plungers. One can never have enough of those, can you?
Tea. All kinds of different relaxing and herbal or green teas. To try to overcome the coffee addiction, you know? Well, I am still drinking coffee.
Wine. Club, export wine. Because they know exactly what I like so they just make up a box of my favorites and it gets delivered to my doorstep. Oh, and cheaper cooking wine. Because I like to try out new recipes.
All of this has been trapping me for years in the consumer matrix. Without questioning WHY I think I need this or that. We are so conditioned by powerful and catching marketing phrases without realizing this is a form of entrapment into a certain lifestyle or way to be. Or if you buy this car, or gadget or tool or lipstick it will magically transform you into a more desirable, prettier, or then manlier you. Or if you buy this new cooking appliance it will transform you into a domestic goddess, Nigella Lawson style. Or they play on Time and promise instant or easy when you are a busy career woman. This has led to junk food consumption on huge scale and resulting obesity and poor health. But that is a topic for another day.
Words are powerful and evoke emotional responses from our subconscious. Marketers count on this and use phrases and words like:
Luxury
Desirable
Instant
Free
Powerful
Bargain
100 % money back guarantee
No obligation
Guaranteed results
Just this morning I opened my e-mail and it was flooded with the following from a few online shopping sites (which I promptly un-subscribed from):
The one announced some exclusive shoes: “R400 off when you buy 2 pairs”
“Buy 2 shirts for dad for father’s day and get 30% off”
“Beat the cold weather in style”
“The only blues you need this Monday is 20 % off jeans”
“A dress for every occasion”
Getting the picture already? Before embracing a minimalist lifestyle I would have probably bought the 2 pairs of shoes. Without thinking. Not that I need more shoes, but just because I bought into the matrix, thinking I need something just because it is a brand name or something desirable.
The dictionary definition for matrix and consumerism:
Matrix – the cultural, social or political environment in which something develops.
Consumerism – a social and economic order and ideology that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-greater amounts.
My conclusion from my very first intentional trip to the shops today: Embracing minimalism as a novice like me, comes with a gauranteed benefit… you are more conscious and mindful of buying things you don’t need. I don’t need to fill up the empty spaces in my home anymore… simply because the calmness and effectiveness less is bringing to me is the most desirable, happy feeling I can ever want.
It is true that less is more! More free time, more family closeness, more joy, more meaning, more simplicity, less organising. Because organised clutter is still clutter.
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