Minimalism

My take on minimalism.

I don't really refer to myself as a minimalist; I don't really like to label myself or others. To me, minimalism isn't about having the least amount of things possible. It's about having things that are useful in your life and make you happy. I'll give you some personal examples.

My closet has always been pretty minimal, even when I was little and had no idea what minimalism was. I would say the main reason for that is because I HATE SHOPPING. I know, I'm a horrible woman. Just kidding, you guys know I don't support stereotypes. Some women don't like to shop. Anyways, I don't like shopping because it's stressful to find clothes that fit me. I'm of average height but I'm much skinnier than usual. I'm not underweight or anything (I say that because when I was having my worst time with anxiety it was physically difficult for me to eat. You can read more about that in my story called Mirrors and Scales.) I'm actually healthier than majority of teens. I eat very well. Exercise? Hahahahahahahahaha no. Here's a little story for you: I went to Target the other day and found a flannel dress that I really liked, but it didn't fit me well around the middle. It was too wide. So, I went to the maternity section and found an XS flannel that looks really good on me as a dress. #lifehacks. Wow, I got really off topic. So, I find some clothes that I have to be very comfortable and I like the way they look. I feel very confident in them and that makes me really happy. I try to keep my wardrobe in that category. Although, that's not always possible. I have some clothes that are necessary to wear that I don't always feel as confident in. Oh well. But, like I said, I don't really like shopping so I don't have a lot of clothes and that makes me happy too. I don't want to see a lot of things in my closet that  don't wear. That's a waste of space and money.

On the opposite end, I hoard books. Hehe. Books can be bought on a Nook Tablet, iPhone, Kindle, etc., but I prefer to have them in my hands. It adds to the experience so much. Books are a way for me to wind down, de-stress, learn, and relax. (Read Why I Read and Write for more information on my healthy/unhealthy relationship with books.) Anyways, just looking at a book on my shelf makes me super happy. I also donate and give away the books I read and don't enjoy as much. I don't want to keep a book I didn't like or upset me in some way. I love looking at my bookshelf and remembering all the journeys I've been on with my favorite characters. I also hoard stationary supplies such as pens and journals. I do a lot of calligraphy and lettering. As a person who can't really draw or paint, it's my way of letting my artistic juices flow. like books, it gives me stress relief. (If you even have the nerve to say "You're a teenager, you don't have a stressful life," you don't know what anxiety and depression to do to a person. Just saying.) I love to be able to create something beautiful. I love my Faber Castell Brush Pens and Sharpies okay! They make me happy.

So, back to my definition of minimalism: Keep things that are useful and make you happy. If you have a lot of physical objects that make you unhappy, declutter them. Get rid of some of them and you'll feel liberated. If you have a lot of clothes and they don't make you feel confident GET RID OF THEM. Buy things that make you happy and add something to your life. Keep things that make you happy and add something to your life. Keep that stuffed animal your dad got you when you were ten. Buy those pair of pants that compliment your hips. Get those running shoes you know will improve your shin splits or back pain. So many minimalists are caught up on not forming a sentimental bond with objects that they are missing out. I understand that your grandma gets you a shirt that is really ugly on Christmas you don't have to keep it. I wouldn't. Return it to her or give to charity. But, there are some things that you feel you have to keep because they remind you of a loved one or just improve your mood when you're upset. There's nothing wrong with that.