Have you ever cleaned out a seriously cluttered area or messy drawer and experienced the feeling of sweet relief—almost like a weight is lifted off your shoulders?

You probably have, but if you can’t remember this euphoric feeling, take some time to tidy up or get rid of the useless tchotchkes collecting dust in the corner.

I’ll wait.

What Does Minimalism Feel Like?

Minimalism feels like you’re weightless. Like you suddenly remembered you’re a bird and you’ve had junk like soy candles, feather earrings and crop tops hanging from your wings all your life. Finally, yes finally, those weights are gone and you’re free to soar anywhere on earth.

It’s the feeling of liberation and independence you get when you realize you need so few items to live really well and that most of the things you work for aren’t what bring you joy or keep you going—you can go on without them.

Once you get rid of items that you don’t use, don’t need and don’t bring you joy, your mind is free to dream and explore. You have this epiphany that, while you didn’t consciously feel the effects until now, you’ve been responsible for those items all along, carrying them subconsciously.

Minimalism Is Highly Addictive

Once you try it, you won’t be able to stop. The high is too good and you have to do more and more to keep it real like that first time.

Seriously, after trying minimalism just one time, you may find yourself coming home after stressful days at work and not reaching for the bottle, no, but finding something—or many things—to get rid of.

You may find yourself, at least in the beginning, alienating yourself from friends and family so you can create a wardrobe of 33 items for project 333 or “edit” every room in your house, just so you can get a taste—or hit if you will—of that sweet, sweet minimalism high.

Minimalism Is a Gateway Drug

While “everyone’s doing it” isn’t true just yet, using minimalism is becoming increasingly prevalent. In the past it was taboo and a sign of laziness to be happy with less. The American Dream and “more is better” were the mentalities.

Nowadays, minimalism has infiltrated people from all walks of life and socioeconomic statuses. Be careful with this stuff, it’s a gateway drug—to mental, physical and emotional freedom.

Your Friends & Family Will Worry About You

Okay maybe they won’t worry, but they’ll definitely think you’re a little crazy. Begging them not to buy you gifts (at least tangible ones) on birthdays and holidays, unless it’s something really quality that you need (minimalism can get expensive just like drugs, too). Rambling on about how you feel suffocated by all the stuff in your house and how someone would have to sort through it all if you died. That kind of crazy.

Where Can I Get the Stuff?

The good news is, you don’t even have to go to the black market to get these goods. Depending on your habits and lifestyle, you may be sitting on a goldmine!

All the mindless shopping, sentimental attachments and keeping up with the Joneses has put you in a fancy position to get strung out—possibly for months or even years!

Try Not to Overdose

As with all of life’s pleasures, you need to find balance.

The result of minimalism is the same as other addictions: you end up with practically nothing.

Thanks for joining folks.

I think I’m hilarious

Goodnight!

Okay, but what is minimalism really?

Obviously the above is not minimalism, I just think I’m hilarious. So what is minimalism really? Well, let’s ask the experts.

“Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom. […] Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom.” – The Minimalists

So there you have it folks! Minimalism is living with just what you want and need, so the things that truly matter to you are the focuses of your life.

It looks different for everyone. Minimalism doesn’t mean you get rid of everything (even though it feels really good) and have one eating utensil and five items of clothing. It’s a lifestyle choice—and everyone has a different life and style. I like to think of minimalism as the thoughtful, handmade card you receive that means a thousand times more than the fancy gifts.

If minimalism is just a wee bit too radical of an idea for you, think of it as simple living or even mindfulness. That’s the goal anyway!

As said beautifully on bemorewithless.com,

“The great thing about minimalism is that when you really dig in, you realize that when you live with less, your life becomes more than you ever imagined.”

Love,

Tara

What does minimalism or simple living look like for you? I want to hear about your journey in the comments below!