How To Stop Pursuing Maximalism And Learn To Let Go

Have you ever considered the emotional and physical impact consumerism and maximalism have had on your life? Learn how to let go, and figure out why you hang on.

Health is wealth. But have you ever considered downsizing for health? Maximalism isn’t what we need. It’s what we want, what we’ve been taught, and programmed to want. And there’s a difference.

Want VS need

There are very few things we humans actually need. What we need differs from person to person and is influenced by where we live, how we work and what our interests are. People who have children may require more possessions than someone single. However, as minimalism grows in popularity, even having a family is not a valid reason to become a hoarder. Children do not need as much as society suggests they do. That is materialism, not actual need.

Research – find likeminded people

On YouTube, there are a ton of videos of people living out of their backpacks. While some do it for themselves and their vision of how their life should be, some people compete with others, counting their items and downsizing to somehow “win” over others. By having fewer items than them. That is not the point of minimalism at all.

Minimalism is when you de-clutter and reevaluate your life, discovering how little you actually need. Minimalism is for individual well-being, for a healthy mind. It is not for the sake of winning an imaginary competition over who has the least possessions. When we have more than we need, we create clutter. When we create clutter or live in a cluttered environment, our minds become equally cluttered. Clutter in turn turns into stress and anxiety, which eventually leads to a malfunctioning immune system.

Having a lot of things is not a sign of success or well-being. Having a few things that are well cared for, that you love and use daily, and having a life filled with moments that take your breath a way… that is a success. 

Materialism is not what we need

Materialism is based on greed and vanity, not need or well-being. We are wrong to measure our lives by the amount of material possessions that we possess. To measure our worth by whether we have a house or not, whether we are married or not, or by how many things we own. We ought to measure our lives in moments, In emotions we’ve experienced and dealt with, or in moments of happiness instead. Life is not about about collecting things; it is about making memories. 

How can we downsize and limit our possessions to things we truly love? 

You go about it gradually. Start by de-cluttering one area of your life at a time. To start easy, de-clutter and downsize your social media. Then move on to your work files. As you get to your home, do the same in your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and finally with your wardrobe. One room or area at a time.

Create a capsule wardrobe and donate or sell anything you decide not to keep. Be strong and question every possession and its impact on your life. Good or bad. Don’t be afraid to let go. It is all part of being alive.

Quality before quantity

Aim for quality, not quantity. When you only have one of each thing, you will be able to afford to acquire things of a higher quality that may very well, with good care, last you throughout your life. Also, when you stick to one of each item, do your best to make sure those items are multipurpose. It will make it much easier to hang on to fewer items without altering your lifestyle. 

Declutter your mind!