Detaching from the material world (de-materialisation) also called minimalism

SwapAnHour
Nov 1 · 4 min read

Break away

Detaching from the material world, or minimalism, is a current of thought that can lead to serious savings and a better sense of well being. The principle is simple: keep only those things that are absolutely necessary to you and that give you pleasure. Although the principle seems simple and logical, adopting it is not easy.

Value and your values

Your personality is directly related to the objects you have at home. Depending on your personality, it will certainly be more or less difficult to adopt minimalism. Having a lot of things, possessions, or goods does not make you happier. To possess things in large quantities generally means a lack of something, an emotional emptiness filled by these possessions. Surely you have already had an urge to shop after an emotional shock such as a breakup, an argument, or a problem at work. Practicing minimalism will lead you to what is really important to you such as your friends, music, sports, etc. You are of course not obliged to be extreme in your approach to minimalism, but detaching yourself from the material world while focusing on the essentials will open doors to other values.

Objects

Owning a lot things gives us the feeling of having more importance, value, or social status. The bulimia of owning a lot is very often simply influenced by our environment and our emotions from things such as advertisements, friends, jealousy, envy, etc. We sometimes give a soul to our objects by giving them immeasurable sentimental value. The utility of objects is decided by the person who owns them. It is not so much to get rid of the object that is difficult, it is to get rid of the emotion attached to it.

Where to start

The goal of getting rid of objects that clutter our lives should be done in stages. It is necessary not to over think it, rather to be convinced that these objects can move away from us. Start with what seems easiest: papers, broken items, things you only use once or twice a year. This will get you used to detaching from objects. Try not to have too much space for storage; that will help prevent you from holding on to too much. Buy as little as possible, borrow other people’s items and share yours.

Need or want

Minimalism is a lifestyle choice. Minimalists seek happiness not through things, but through life itself. Keep what you need, but question what you want. You do not have to be extreme in your approach to minimalism, but detaching yourself from the material world, not keeping the useless, will lead you to a better sense of well being. Placing less importance on things will give you more time for your health, your relationships, your finances, your passions. Our culture has always attached meaning to material elements; the goal is to break these beliefs and begin to focus on the non-material.

Should I be minimalist

Minimalism spirit can be part of every one of us. On the other hand to be minimalist is a way that one can not take overnight. If you want to adopt minimalism, you will also have to change your way of thinking. But to start by getting rid of useless objects will give you a first feeling of well-being and will give you more time for the important things in your life.

Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please don’t abandon the book. There is nothing in our material world more beautiful than the book.
Patti Smith.

Swap An Hour

Bank time — Skills — Goods — Donations

SwapAnHour is an App with a community of swappers with different skills, goods or donations to exchange. You offer your skills to help a swapper and in return get free help for that time. You lend your goods to a swapper and in return borrow some goods for free. You donate an unwanted item to a swapper in return take a donation from a swapper when you need it. It doesn’t discriminate by market value of skills or goods, an hour of gardening work is worth an hour of IT Support. Lending a mower is worth lending a surfboard. Giving a book is worth giving some shoes. The currency is time fostering the spirit of community. No money is exchanged. An hour for an hour. A donation for a donation

Original post :
https://www.swapanhour.com/posts/minimalism-have-a-better-life-with-less

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Swap an hour (SwapAnHour) is a community of swappers with different skills or goods. Offer time to help a swapper and in return get free help for that time.

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