People often ask me why I choose simple living, aka minimalism. It’s not always easy to explain, particularly to those unfamiliar with the concepts. It’s even more challenging when I explain that my journey began with a bottle of vinegar after I discovered that my daughter had stopped using chemical cleaners.
Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda was apparently a growing trend. So where had I been? Oh yes, here in the land of tradition! A place where many people still do things the way their mothers and grandmothers did decades ago!
It was all new to me, so I started researching. This marked the beginning of my journey towards a more natural lifestyle. Until then, I had no idea how harmful chemicals and plastics could be. I was shocked and decided to reduce our use of these things in our home.
Then I noticed that many of these natural trends were linked to minimalism.
Minimalism? What a crazy idea!
It was another thing I knew nothing about, and it seemed crazy to me! Maybe it was because of all the crazy things I was reading about. Like the guy who had to use his neighbour’s bathroom because he had downsized his house too much. Or people who stopped buying toilet paper.
I’m all for helping neighbours in need, but not just because they’ve decided not to have a bathroom. If you don’t want toilet paper, that’s fine with me — just let me know before I come over!
Minimalism vs. Consumerism
I learned that many environmental problems stem from chemicals and plastics. However, our consumer culture also plays a part. All manufacturing creates some pollution and consumes natural resources. Much of this is for unnecessary goods and gadgets that are completely unnecessary.
All this set off a huge process in my heart and mind — particularly in my heart. I realized that I had often shopped, not out of real need, but in search of something to buy. Sometimes I even spent money that we didn’t have. WHY? Good question. I needed answers, and this is what I learned:
🪧 1. Advertising plays a big role
Advertisers are paid to make us to want to buy things, and they’re effective at it. But it’s sad when they convince us to buy things we don’t need or won’t want to keep for long. Or even to buy things we can’t afford.
🛒 2. Store displays and shelves are designed to lure us into spending more
Retailers even rent out shelf space based on its position. The most sought-after space is at eye level, because we tend to buy the products that we first see. This prime position commands higher prices, so the products naturally tend to be more expensive!
🆕 3. Peer pressure also plays a role
We often compare ourselves to others, even without realizing it. Seeing others’ seemingly better clothes, newer gadgets, better cars, and finer homes, can make us unhappy and ungrateful for the wonderful blessings God has provided. We start to feel that something is lacking.
Lack of contentment
Ultimately, the issuew was simply my lack of contentment. I had everything I needed. I had plenty of clothes, nice furniture, and a lovely home. In fact, I had so much stuff that I couldn’t keep track of it all! The last thing I needed was more! I was even having trouble finding room for it all. So one day I decided to stop chasing stuff.
- I want to see my possessions as useful tools, and not the source of my happiness.
- I want deep and lasting contentment, resting in the fact that God promises to provide for all my needs.
- I also didn’t want to be a pawn in the advertising game.
So I started thinking about what I buy and why
- Is it genuinely necessary?
- How useful will it be?
- Will I want to keep it in the long term?
- Do I see it as necessary for my happiness and contentment?
- If not, could the money be put to better use?
After asking myself these questions, I often decide to save the money for a rainy day or to meet genuine needs, whether my own or those of others. Over the years, I’ve wasted so much money on things that were unnecessary and have now been forgotten. Things that only gave me temporary satisfaction.
Unexpected problems or emergencies will always arise. There will always be people in need around me. Meeting real needs like these brings me lasting pleasure and real joy. It’s much better than buying things I don’t need!
Are you stressed about not having enough money? Are you tired of keeping up with too many things? Are you exhausted from trying to juggle it all?
Perhaps it’s time to change your attitude towards material possessions. Try to focus less on acquiring more things. Use your resources for meaningful and lasting purposes, such as paying off your debts, building God’s kingdom and helping others. Learn to cultivate true contentment — even in a world obsessed with material possessions!
Thank you, Sheila, for including those questions you ask yourself before a purchase. Very helpful! I wouldn’t call myself a minimalist, but neither do I like a lot of “stuff” around that just requires upkeep and cleaning.
An inspirational post, Sheila! I’ve gotten away from chemical cleaners over the last few years and I’m doing a major household purge right now. Taking steps toward minimalism is so freeing. I have a little ways to go but I’m committed.
Good for you, Nancy! And yes, living more minimally is freeing. Stuff can really bog us down sometimes. But what I find most freeing of all is making sure that they occupy the right place in our hearts. To me, that is the true crux of the issue!
Yes, I agree. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
Thank you for this. I long to be a minimalist, but I have a long way to go. Mainly I have been trying to do better with not buying things I don’t need and also getting rid of things I don’t need. But it is difficult road and takes discipline. You hit the nail on the head with your point about contentment. I think many of us have much to learn in this area, especially those of us living in first world nations. Thank you! I saved this post as a reference because I need all the help I can get. And I will be reading the link you shared to your post on contentment.
Oh yes, Bridget. We all have to learn, and it’s a continual process. Decluttering never ends!! These 5 questions about buying really helped me with window shopping. Now when Hubby tells me to buy something because I like it, I am able to opt out. I tell him I prefer admiring it in the shop, not having to dust it at home! I love pretty things as much as the next girl. But I also want to learn that just because I like it, doesn’t mean I have to own it. I find it very liberating to appreciate beautiful things without having to have them!
Superbly written! Not being a pawn in the advertising game! There’s a reason PR firms get business–they know what pushes our buttons. I really appreciate the questions you ask about purchases and the things you have. Simply asking if it’s a real need and whether it can be useful longterm are excellent questions that get to the heart of the purchase. Thanks for this!
Thank you, my friend! And I love how you put it. They know, all to well, what pushes our buttons. Stewardship is a heart question, and God is the only one who should be pushing our buttons!!