Every Monday I post Real Life Minimalists, a profile of one of my readers in their own words. If you’d like to participate, click here for details.
This week, Ritu shares her story with us. She began her minimalist journey several years ago, and tells us how the experience has positively impacted her life.
Ritu writes:
I was born and raised in India. In my early twenties, I moved to the USA for graduate school, and have recently started working as a scientist in a research lab. I was introduced to minimalism about three years ago when I accidentally came across Julie Morgenstern’s book “SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life.” I enjoyed this book a lot and got instantly connected to the minimalism philosophy. Since then I started reading more and more about minimalistic lifestyle. Here is my personal journey toward practicing minimalism.
I was under the impression of being a minimalist until I started taking a pragmatic look at my surroundings and belongings. I realized I am just a very organized person but not quite a minimalist. I was astonished to find myself owning and maintaining a lot of unnecessary stuff, including (but not limited to) tons of cosmetics which I don’t even know how and where to apply, several expired items and spices in the kitchen, multiple paper copies of vital documents, ill-fitted clothes brought out of impulsive shopping, many soft toys (and pretty dolls!) most of which I brought from India for unexplainable reasons, decorative items that do NOT add any aesthetic value, freebies collected from meetings and conferences, etc. Thankfully, as a student, I never had enough money to buy bulky furniture. However, the tiny items were enough to clutter my apartment, and thereby, my state of mind. I had changed 4 apartments by then, and could not believe I had moved all this clutter along every single time. Then, I very consciously and actively started purging, tossing, and donating my stuff.
I have been consistently decluttering for over three years now, and this has brought fierce clarity into my life. While I genuinely feel many advantages of a minimalistic lifestyle, here are top three things that appeal to me the most: 1) It brings a sudden upsurge in creativity; yes, visual stress is inversely proportional to creative thinking, 2) A spacious room looks eternally beautiful. To experience the peace associated with such beauty, one must visit the Lotus temple in India, which has nothing but open spaces inside the lotus structure. 3) Owning less stuff dramatically increases one’s productivity; at home, at office, and at any other place. I have a long way to go, and many challenges to overcome – yet I am quite excited to be part of this neat minimalism community across the globe.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
‘2) A spacious room looks eternally beautiful.’
Could not have said it better. There is nothing like an empty room to fire up the imagination!
Happy to have read your story Ritu – Best wishes on your journey!
Great story you have there, Ritu and also thanks for sharing the story.
I agreed on 3rd point: “Owning less stuff dramatically increases one’s productivity”. We added a lot of stuff into our life which may decrease productivity such as latest smartphone (focus on portable gaming? email checking?) or tablet (movie?, gaming?)
Cheers,
Dennis.
Minimalism “brings a sudden upsurge in creativity”, absolutely! I’ve really found this too, i’d no idea how much my clutter was holding me back before!
yes, I love your 3 points and couldn’t agree more. Since really cutting back and living a minimalist life I have started a blog and written a book….in about 6 months. Before cutting back (and all the time and energy it took to cut back) I could barely keep up with the kids and the housework. Creativity, productivity and beauty are such valuable assets I couldn’t imagine trading them for …. what is mostly just cheap junk. Thanks for sharing!
The Lotus Temple is breathtaking. What a stunning image to represent the peace that minimalism brings. I will take with me your phrase “fierce clarity”; I really like like that and it rings true. You sound like you have really adopted minimalism in your physical and spiritual worlds. Best of luck to you and thank you for sharing your story.
I absolutely agree with your 3 points – especially your first point about creativity! I don’t think you could have summed it up any better. It’s nice to see the minimalism community grow and with each new member they always bring in something new and fresh to make you stop and think.
Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing, Ritu :)
Great article! Your story for experiencing minimalism as a student is very similar to my own. Despite the level of education and intelligence, we are all truly still subconsciously influenced by our environment. The more clean and clear the environment, the better our focus and creativity flows.
What fresh, original writing, Ritu, thank you! I love your perspective on the benefits of minimalism, and especially your phrase “fierce clarity”. Perhaps wanting to avoid this level of clarity is a reason people hoard, because it can be confronting, but it is ultimately liberating, as you are finding.
Hi All,
Thanks for much for reading my story and approving my 3 points ;)
I cant believe I am one of Miss Minimalist’s real life minimalists…!
Ritu
Hi ritu…..if u get a chance to see my reply please give me your email address, I would like to talk to you.
Thanks
Sanjana.
Hi Sanjana,You can reach me at writetoritu@gmail.com
Hi Ritu,
UK NGO: Wash less clothes, save planet
A British NGO has made a unique appeal to the people: Wash clothes less often to save the planet.
A government funded quango advised Britons to cut back on laundary as they believe doing so will reduce carbon emissions and save water.
I follow this rule wear my clothes an extra day.
Hi,
Ritu cant we start this movement in India.
Hey Ritu, congrats!!!
It is good to see all these views.
And also, I do agree with Ansu to start this in India. Actually here we attach get so much attached to the belongiongs that we keep on hoarding. Moreover the increasing consumerism is another reason of accumulating stuff. Rather we think about re-suing or donating stuff.
Let us do something.
Best wishes,
Pragati
Impressive stuff, I did not know this concept … I had read and heard stories about Sweeds living with 100 items (salt and pepper is considered 4 items; socks 2 etc.) this is good stuff, man – I really need to get rid of my stuff :-)
We have been living with less and less. Recycling a big bag or two each week. I find if I turn a shirt inside out so it airs I can get another day’s wearing out of it. Pants are good for 3 or 4 days this way. Keeping my hair gray saves time and money. There is still a lot that can go.
Another big bag for Goodwill. GOing through my DVD’s to see which ones can be given away. Still more books for the library. My efforts at minimalism require ongoing vigilance.
Every week, we give at least one big bag full of clothes, shoes, or bedding to Goodwill. We also give away a stack of books and magazines each week. Most of the books in my home belong to my mom. There is not enough space in the nursing home for her romances. Things which are truly beautiful are going to my neighbor’s church or the local history center to be used as fund raisers.
I am searching for more to pass on to other crafters. I have some craft books to take to the library sale. There is so much I don’t need and can’t use.
I continue to fill a give away bag each week and one for the veterinarian of old linens. Someone offered me a dozen flower pots and I took 4 because I usually reuse food containers to give away plants. A bottle of shampoo lasts about a year and a bar of soap lasts a month. Friends belong to warehouse clubs but I don’t need that much stuff.