Guest post written by Kevin Jezek
Webster’s dictionary defines it as follows: a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.
Not a very powerful life-changing motto, if you ask me. I have never thought of myself as a minimalist nor have I ever given myself that label even though I live a very minimalistic lifestyle. See, my definition is a bit different than ol’ Webster’s as I’m sure many of you reading this also have a definition of what the word means as well.
Minimalism is not a one-size-fits-all, easily-followed step-by-step guide. After reading this rambling set of thoughts spewing out of my head, maybe I can broaden your concept of what it means to live YOUR minimalist lifestyle.
I put “YOUR” in all caps because I think of this lifestyle as more of a diet than
anything. Everyone swears by something different and every week someone new comes along with “new” ideas and a better way of solving all your problems. What works for you might not work for me. And it mostly comes down to the simple fact that people are just different. Therefore, your approach and final destination are entirely dependent on the needs and factors of your life. Don’t ever let anyone define what you are, there is no right or wrong way to live as a minimalist. Take a professional landscaper and a single work-from-home guy. These two could not possibly follow the same plan for a minimalist lifestyle. The landscaper needs a truckload of equipment and a trailer just to work, right? No way around that, so his minimalism would not include things like tools. Whereas the single guy who works from home
needs none of those things to function. The key to this kind of living is not chasing someone else’s idea of what it looks like to be a minimalist, your goal should be to identify what you absolutely need in your life to function and enjoy living. Next up is taking the huge step in identifying the other things you have that really serve no serious purpose in your life.
In the end, it is more about training your mind to block out all the TV ads and newest gadgets. The best way to avoid ending up with things you don’t need but can never seem to part with is never bring it home to start with. Even deeper than that, though, is the need to identify who it is we are really buying the object for. So many objects we buy everyday are nothing but status symbols, big billboards saying look at me and what I have.
So when you’re buying that next new purse or yard art, the new hat or tie that is so similar to the 100 you already have, stop for a minute and think! Am I buying this because it makes my life better in any way? Does it have multiple uses? Can I use it everyday or only every so often? Or maybe is this new thing a subconscious response to your co-workers new bag, outfit, or car? Is the purchase for your own good or is it to post on your billboard for all to see?
All in all, you are the only one who knows how much is enough and how much is just too much. Take a good look inside and figure out why you have the things around you taking up space. Try to identify what that stuff means to you. Be practical and honest with yourself and you will easily be able to make a noticeable difference in your everyday life.
Identify those objects which you have been holding onto that have absolutely no meaning on your life. Without ever even getting rid of a single item, you’ll already feel a sense of relief! And once you’ve identified those objects, it becomes infinitely easier to donate, gift, or just throw out all that unneeded clutter in your life.
Kevin Jezek was born on September 13th 1988, in Tacoma Washington. He grew up in Federal Way, Washington where he attended Federal Way High School. He started commercial salmon fishing in the summer on my uncle’s boat in Alaska when he was 14. High school dropout (with GED). Has had held a variety of jobs, such as working with crab, salmon, cod, fishing, construction, heavy equipment operator, landfill, aircraft maintenance, plumbing, electrical, gardening and more. Kevin is an open-minded, deep thinking, loner who likes people.
“ I’m going through life looking to collect experiences not things. Your mind is either your strongest asset or your Achilles heel depending on how you use it!”
