Revealing A Sad Truth About Minimalism

I left Nikki, Misael and my Grand-Critter-Baby’s on April Fool’s day (no joke!). Leaving for the season is always sad but it’s an unavoidable part of the process.

It was getting too hot-n-humid for me in south Florida with no AC… but it’s still too cold for me in the Homeland.

I’ll simply hang out in the in-between until the Homeland thaws out.

In This Post

I’d like to share/republish a short story about minimalism. I originally published this story on a platform I no longer write for.

What prompted me to write this story was… a Reader emailed me that she finds tiny living and minimalism interesting.

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A Sad Truth About Minimalism

I live in my cozy little home on wheels — a spacious 68 square foot cargo van that I converted to a camper.

Family has gently suggested that I’m a minimalist.

The strange thing is, I’ve never thought of myself as a minimalist. There was never a defining moment when I said to myself “Ok, Connie… you’re gonna become a minimalist!”

However, as an open seeker of simplicity, being minimalistic probably comes with the territory.

The label doesn’t matter as much as the premise. I simply desire simplicity but, if it suits your fancy, go ahead and label me a minimalist.

Describing Minimalism

Minimalism is about living with only those things that serve a useful purpose or things that bring you joy.

These things include material possessions, virtual possessions, the people in your inner circle and the thoughts and words that come from within.

Living simply or minimally is not about surviving with 50 items or less — unless it makes you happy.

Simple, minimal living is not about depriving yourself of anything. It’s solely about eliminating what is or becomes useless-to-you in order to more fully enjoy life.

• When the useless clutter is gone, life become less stressful and more manageable.
• When the useless clutter gone, your peace and happiness grows.

Just to clarify, if you need it or enjoy it… it is not clutter.

A Sad Fact About Minimalism

Sadly, minimalism and simplicity can be complicated — at first.

Most of us have a vast array of clutter visibly surrounding us, virtually hanging out on our devices, living and breathing within our personal space, or hiding deep within us.

We are often overwhelmed at the complicated mess we’ve unintentionally created in our lives.

With mounds of clutter before us, we often have no clue where to begin making changes in our lives.

Narrowing Down The Clutter

There are 4 areas that can be decluttered, simplified or improved upon:

• Digital Life: Virtual or digital files, apps, software and websites we accumulate and/or store on computers, laptops, tablets, phones and other smart devices.
• Material Life: The tangible items we accumulate and/or store at home, in the car, the workspace, hidden away in the attic or storage unit, etc.
• Personal Life: The people directly in our lives including family, friends and co-workers; The activities, events and gatherings we attend; Our daily routine.
• Inner Life: The thoughts we think, the words that come out of our mouths, the emotions we emit, our self-worth and inner peace.

Parting Thoughts

Whether you call it simple living or minimalism it’s all intertwined.

Clutter is anything you don’t need or don’t enjoy – including virtual possessions, material possessions, the people in your life and the thoughts racing through your head.

You get to choose what you consider “clutter” in your life…. it’s individualized!

If you’d like to simplify your life, start by choosing ONE area of your life and begin reducing or removing these 2 things:

• Anything that doesn’t serve a purpose.
• Anything that doesn’t make you happy.

Don’t overthink it.

Simply begin.

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About The Photo

The pink Gerbera Daisy photo was taken by Nikki from the flower garden she and Misael started in March 2023 (just before I left south Florida).

Nikki gave me permission to use her photo. I’ve also added this photo to my Simply Connie Zazzle store.

Any royalties earned from the Gerbera Daisy designs are split with Nikki.

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