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Table of contents 2 | Foreword 4 | Minimalism 6 | What it is not 8 | Benefits of less 10 | Radical life? 14 | Measuring minimalism 16 | Isn’t it boring? 17 | Manifesto 18 | Bibliography 19
pause is a publication about living consciously through minimalism
Foreword
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The idea to start this book comes from an activity that I almost forgotten. I used to take a pause and make time to be calm, quiet, and just breathe. It made me feel more positive, happy, and contented afterwards. Then slowly the habit being forgotten and replaced by other things that took the whole attention. Life became so fast-paced and hectic; it’s tiring and not as enjoyable. On going on with life I’ll still be too young and still have a lot to learn, sometimes it’s overwhelming. The need to come back to simplicity and clarity of mind drive me to do this project. I hope by sharing this people could get inspired to do something to minimalize and lead a more meaningful life.
Keshia. A 5
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minimal Simple living has started centuries ago and has been used by world’s famous figure like Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, and Confucius.So what is this minimalism thing all about? Minimalism is a tool to find freedom, freedom from debt, freedom from depression, freedom from overwhelm, freedom from guilt. Freedom from the consumer culture we’ve living on. It’s simply getting rid of things you do not use or need, leaving an uncluttered, simple environment and uncluttered, simple life. It’s living without an obsession with material things or an obsession with doing everything and doing too much. It’s using simple tools, having a simple wardrobe, carrying little, and living lightly.
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What it is not Wrong perception of minimalist is to be minimalist you must be able to live with less than 100 things, you can’t own a car or a home or a television, you must be a vegan, you can’t have a career, you can’t have children, you have to be able to live in exotic secluded places that nobody knows. To be minimalist is not being cool or hip. Minimalism isn’t about living with no material possessions or not own a car or a television. There’s nothing inherently wrong with owning material possessions. It’s great to want to own a car, or a house, or want to raise a family and have a career. It’s wonderful if it’s important to you. It’s not the act of punishing yourself or being masochist. Minimalism simply allows you to make decisions more consciously and deliberately.
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Benefits of Less
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Be Happier
Do work you love
Owning fewer possessions makes you happier.1 Happiness is not found in owning as many possessions as possible; it’s found living life with passions.
Someone who intentionally live has less need to hold a certain level of income therefore, they can choose whatever career path they most desire.
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Spend less
Clear your mind
As your affection for physical possessions begins to fade, you’ll find far more opportunity to use your finances in other ways.
The chaos could restrict your ability to focus. The clutter also limit your brain’s ability to process information.
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1. According to a survey by the Simplicity Institute, an organization that surveyed 2,500 people across various countries who self-identified themselves as living with fewer possessions, 87% of respondents indicated they were happier now than when they owned more possessions.
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Travel light Carrying fewer items while going out saves you from fatigue and lets you do more things. Vacations also become more enjoyable without hassle of packing big luggage.
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Never lost a thing The average American spend one year of his/her life to look for their lost items. Don’t let clutter steal your time!
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Running your own race
We tend to spend so much mental energy thinking about what we don’t own instead of appreciate things that we own.
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Clean spaces The more you own, the more it owns you. The less stuff you have the less you have to clean and less you have to maintain.
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More Time
The time saved could be used to exercise, do your hobby, rest and relax, or learning new things.
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Freedom Freedom from fear, insecurities, stress, overwhelm. That awesome feeling of freedom is priceless.
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Radical Life?
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Some people think a minimalist is someone who has a very radical lifestyle. Actually minimalists live like normal people do. They own a smartphone, laptop, books, some pairs of shoes, kitchen utensils, guitars, and hundred more things. But there are some distinctions: They don’t own excess stuff. Things they keep are things they frequently used and add value to their life.
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They don’t give meaning to their possessions. They understand that their possessions can be replaced. While the important parts such as health, relationships, passions, growth can’t be replaced. They constantly question their possessions. Do I still need this? When is that last time I used this? What would happen if I got rid of this? Could someone use this more than me? There is no end game; the question will keep coming as long as we are living.
Measuring Minimalism So is there a measurement on how minimalist should be? People’s reasons are different. Some wants to live more consciously, some want to escape the effect of consumerism, some want to lighten their footprint, some want to live out of a bag and travel the world. All are worthy, there’s no one base line on whether or not one is a minimalist. The line between ideal minimalism and practicality is different for everyone. There a time and place for minimalism. What matters is not how little you own but the ability the to understand the value of what’s important It has no point if by throwing things away, you feel suffered and punished.
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Isn’t it Boring? This is a misconception about minimalism – that’s not necessarily monk-like, empty, boring, sterile. Not at all (But you can if you want). The focus is on clearing away all things but the most essential things. We clear away the distractions so we can create something incredible, clear away the noise so we can spend time with loved ones. As a result there is more happiness, peace, and joy because we’ve made room for these things.
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Bibliography mnmlist.com www.becomingminimalist.com www.theminimalists.com www.minimalstudent.com bemorewithless.com inoveryourhead.net
“The simplest things are often the truest.� Richard Bach
ŠKeshia Anindita 2014