We have all been there. You have made the decision to move from one place to another for your work, your education, or even your significant other. Once you start packing your belongings, you begin to realise that you own a whole lot more than you initially imagined. When you feel your stress-levels rise after going through half of your belongings, take a deep breath, take a few steps back, and belief that everything is going to be just fine.
Let us tell you, things are not as bad as they might seem. Your situation can only improve from here on. The self-realisation and reflection on your own situation is the very start for your journey to improvement.
The fact that you are reading this article can be for several reasons:
- You might be looking for advice on how to make improvements to your personal situation.
- You might be looking for people who have a similar mindset as yourself.
- You might be looking for opposing opinions to your own to better understand others’ way of thinking, which in this case, props to you!
However, as the title of this article specifically mentions ‘materialism’ and ‘minimalism’, let’s go over these terms, and achieve a better overview and understanding of both terms. Understanding certain concepts, however basic, will help you form your very own opinion.
What do we mean with materialism?
When we talk about materialism, we talk about the need to own physical matters. This kind of mindset values the satisfaction of one’s own needs through physical matters over that of emotional or spiritual ones.
As everything in life, there needs to be balance. Acquiring physical matters can certainly enhance one’s own way-of-life. For example, owning a car will help bridge longer distances easier. However, whether you own a Fiat 500 or a Lamborghini Aventador, they both satisfy the need to bridge the distance between point A and point B in an efficient manner. Certainly, the Lamborghini does come with its performance and prestige, but also comes with a price tag that is blown out of proportions considering that both cars target and satisfy the very essence of the need.
Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, there are five levels of needs that a human wants to have satisfied. The higher-up you get into that hierarchy, the less priority the need has. The physiological needs of the human, think of air and food, is closer than that of the need for status. Therefore, the need physiological need is more prioritized than the latter.
Once you start to identify and focus more on satisfying your basic need, you can make better purchasing- and life-decisions. Don’t get us wrong, we would love to own the Lamborghini, but the financial requirements and pressure that come along with it are not worth the investment compared to the Fiat 500.
What do we mean with minimalism?
Minimalism is a lifestyle where one only lives with possessions that satisfy a need. By removing any excess and unnecessary items, one can get rid of distractions and stress, leaving only items that have a specific purpose.
Minimalism does not mean obtaining the most economical, plain, or the smallest items. It is more about obtaining possessions that deliver value to your way of living.
Let’s take a clear example, and put it into perspective. Do you remember the comparison that we made between the Fiat 500 and the Lamborghini Aventador earlier in this article? They are both cars that can help you transport from point A to point B. Now, imagine a family of five people. Neither of these cars can properly fit this family properly if everyone would join the trip. Therefore, we need to consider a car that is more spacious, such as a Hyundai Tucson. This family would find the Hyundai, though it is larger and more expensive, of far greater value than the Fiat or Lamborghini.
How will less materialism and more minimalism help me improve my life?
This is the million-dollar question, and we appreciate that you have stayed with us so far to find the answer to your question.
Now that you have been able to achieve a better understanding of materialism and minimalism, it is your journey to decide which direction you wish to go. This point is where you go on, and we stay back. We cannot decide for you what you should be doing. We can only give you the tools and knowledge to make better decisions for yourself.
But, before you go, there is one last thing to keep in the back of your mind. Yes, we can advise you to make smarter choices, we can show you how to find value. But just like yourself, we, and the rest of the global population, every single person is different. Different in terms of circumstances, preferences, and desires.
Adjust your decisions based on what you make important in your own life, and what you can afford. If owning a Fiat 500 fits your needs, but your financial situation and personal preference fancy something sportier, please feel free to adjust your decision based on your own conditions.
Owning less possessions will free up space. Space to think, and space to act. A large house with a lot of furniture is experienced tighter and more pressurised. However, a large house with little furniture gives a lot of space. Do not let an excess in your own possessions become the walls of your very own prison. You should enjoy life, and there is no reason why you should not be able to enjoy some room to breathe.