01 May The reality of minimalism?
If, like me, you’re interested in minimalism; and especially in the relationship between minimalism and happiness, then this article is well worth reading.
But remember, that like most things in life, there are myths and misconceptions about minimalism (and happiness). Minimalism is not, as is partially suggested in this article, about just having less for the sake of having less. It’s more so, as far as I understand, about questioning whether possessions or objects add value and happiness to your life. You can most definitely still own and enjoy “stuff”, as long as you’re really sure that that “stuff” is meaningful and that it adds value.
Happiness, from a minimalist perspective, doesn’t just come from having less; it comes from having valuable things that improve life. With this in mind, read on…
via the NY Times by Jacoba Urist
Minimalism as a lifestyle creed is pretty simple: The less you own, the happier you’ll be. Pare down and declutter, the thinking goes, and your mind will have room to exhale. Minimalists say that it’s about spending more energy on living, less energy on having. With more than six million Instagram posts tagged #minimalism, and four million more tagged #minimalist, it’s a trend that won’t die.
And understandably so. The impulse to step off the consumer treadmill can be quite tempting.
In theory, minimalists have more time and money to amass something that researchers have found to provide far more satisfaction than material items: memories. Experiential purchases, psychologists assure us, offer deeper emotional sustenance than any new gadget or piece of furniture. Studies suggest that even the perfect Danish modern chair fades into the background after daily exposure. Yet our brains never quite get over the thrill of, say, hiking Bryce Canyon, which yields more psychological bang for the buck…
…keep reading the full & original article HERE