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3 Simple Ways to Merge Mindfulness and Minimalism for a Happier Life

I grew up in a stereotypical large home in Southern California suburbia, complete with a big garage and backyard. Thanks to our Western consumer mindset, having a large space like this typically results in too much of everything – the exact opposite of minimalism.
 
We often indulge in material goods that have little purpose, and classic “impulse buys” that represent our wasted time and money . . . just to fill space. Enter minimalism. It’s time to purge the clutter!
 

Your dreams will never be fulfilled if you don’t get rid of the clutter and junk in own home.

 
Most of you on a spiritual journey know happiness comes from within, not from material goods. Daily meditation helps clear the clutter in your head, the “monkey mind,” and gets you grounded. It teaches you to focus on “needs” rather than “wants.”
 
“Need” is the magic word here. When you reduce clutter in your living space, you consequently clear out the rest of your life.
 

What Is Minimalism?

The minimalism mindset encourages you to live simpler and enjoy life more. The philosophy here is “less is more.”
 
When you become a minimalist, you’ll find a sense of freedom. Freedom from attachment to material things, and financial freedom since you’ll be spending less.
 

When you reduce clutter in your living space, you consequently clear out the rest of your life.

 
Minimalism is also extremely sustainable and environmentally friendly. You’ll consume less and begin to favor quality over quantity. This mindfulness approach ultimately helps the planet too!
 
If it’s trendy, you know JP Sears has something to say about it. Watch JP Sears Slam Minimalism in This Hilarious Parody
 

Here are 3 Easy Steps to Mindful Minimalism:

Ready to embark on your minimalism journey? I like to think in threes because it’s a sacred number, and also keeps the task simple rather than overwhelming.
 

1. Purge the Clutter

The first step to minimalism is clearing your home. Your home is a representation of your life, so if it’s unorganized and cluttered, your inner being will also be cluttered, confused, and disoriented.
 
You may have heard of professional organizers. Their general advice is to target all areas of your home that make you feel “stuck.” Go through your home and become aware of places you feel blockage. We’ll look at two common places people find the most clutter.
 
Your Room
Are you among the majority of people who have too many clothes? Start with your closet and donate, sell, or give away clothes you never wear. According to the KonMari method, create three piles:

  1. Clothes to keep
  2. Clothes to give away
  3. Clothes to throw out

 
Your Kitchen
Did you know food can cause stagnation in your life? Get rid of food that has gone bad, or is bad for you. Instead, fill your fridge with fresh and healthy foods your body wants. Grocery shop daily rather than weekly for fresh produce in small amounts that will be eaten and not wasted.
 

 

2. Create Feng Shui in Your Living Environment

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and science that orients objects in your home to create balance and harmony. A natural flow of “wind” (Feng) and “water” (Shui) indicate good energy in your home, and inspires good health and fortune.
 
Move furniture around to change the energy flow, and get rid of any object or piece of furniture that creates clutter. Change your floor plan as often as you like until you feel good about how the light and space interact with your well-being. Add natural objects like crystals or driftwood to connect with the earth.
 
Find ways to allow natural sunlight to enter your home, and create a space where you can imagine “wind and water” (Feng Shui) flowing through it. This space with a flow will allow you to think clearly, and feel calm and content in your living space.
 
 

3. Live Sustainably and Save Money

With an effort to spend less and live simply, minimalism encourages you to save money and preserve the environment. Consider this: instead of buying 10 cheap shirts that only last a year, how about buying one quality shirt that lasts 10 years?
 
This mindset shift ultimately saves you money while conserving the planet’s resources. You’ll learn to handle your finances with a sense of empowerment while consuming less!
 
In order to become a conscious consumer, shift your focus from “want” to “need.” Think about the consequences of your purchases. When buying clothes, make sure they’re made to last, and sustainably and ethically made.
 
When you buy anything, ask yourself these questions:

  1. Is this an impulse buy or a mindful buy?
  2. Is this an emotional buy or a necessary buy?
  3. Do I “need” this or just “want” this?

 
Use your extra savings on a special experience rather than another item to fill your home. A weekend getaway, a yoga retreat, a massage . . . whatever floats your boat as a reward for your minimalism.
 

Mindful Minimalism: The Takeaway

It’s interesting to note that, as the human race has evolved, we’ve slowly filled space with objects of temporary satisfaction with no long-term purpose. As we enter a greener era, it’s important to be aware of the environment when you choose to buy a product.
 
I don’t live in Southern California anymore. I now have a much smaller home in Bologna, Italy, and I’ve been forced to embrace minimalism. As a designer, I have always known that less is more – but it can be hard to practice in daily life.
 
When you learn to let go of the things that are holding you back, you can thrive spiritually and physically. Remember: a cluttered home means a cluttered mind, and a life of illusion and delusion.
 
Clear your home and create the path to your happier life today!
 

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Maria Moscato

Maria has been an expat Californian living in Bologna, Italy for 18 years. After her two trips to India, she started yoga during her pregnancy 13 years ago and has been a yogi ever since. An artist, writer and innovative cook, she integrates her love for yoga and meditation into her work, including a line of yoga clothing based on the spiritual foundation of selenite, a crystal gypsum used by the Romans.

mialunadesign.com

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