3 habits to get started in minimalism
Minimalism emerges as a mindset shift that creates a lifestyle revolving around freedom, simplicity and fulfillment. Once the goal of minimalism is understood: to focus our energy on the essentials, one begins to pursue and incorporate new habits. The simplest actions often have the greatest positive impact on ourselves. Here are three minimalist habits that will change your life.
- Shopping with conscience
In previous articles we talked about buying only what we really need, but it is worth reflecting on those words and learning what our needs are, as they are not the same for everyone.
An excellent first step is to keep our spaces in order, as this will ensure that we are not gathering too many unnecessary items, or buying more when we think we need them, when in fact we have more than one spare.
- Being grateful
There are many ways to practice gratitude and it is a matter of finding the one that works best for us. Some people prefer to say a prayer, others keep a journal and some others use yoga or meditation. It is important to say the word “thank you” several times throughout the day, this will connect us to our inner peace.
Gratitude reframes our circumstances. It eliminates discontent. It directs our attention to the good things in our lives. It brings attention and intentionality. And it helps us improve our attitude in relation to the universe and the world around us.
- Family meals
It is possible to apply this habit in your life, even if you live alone. It is not a matter of doing it every day, there are times when it is impossible, but the idea is to do it as often as you can. When shared with others, food becomes a bonding experience.
Mealtimes at home, dinners with friends and lunch with coworkers are among those few moments in our day when we can pause and take an interest in who is with us. As food nourishes our physical body, community and relationships nourish our soul.
We recommend that you incorporate these habits into your life, but it’s a good idea to pick just one and start practicing it until it feels natural to you. Only then will you be able to continue with the next ones without feeling overwhelmed. Remember that once you take control of your habits, you take control of your life.