Ever since I’ve hit the petrifying age of twenty, a lot has changed: managing my own finances, staying on top of my institutional life, building my own networks and connections, and finding friends who make me feel great and inspired. More so, the age of twenty was like an energy which presented itself to me on September 10th and gave me a list of questions of what I had to think about or do next.
Who’s important to you?
What adds value to your life?
What are your truest passions?
What do you aspire to be and how do you want to get there?
Where will you look to find motivation?
Why are you doing what you’re doing?
After being exposed to these questions, I started using my past to analyze and determine what the answers might be. And that’s where I got stuck. Living every day, doing things which disengaged my body from listening to my mind. Who was I individually? What were my values? What made me, me?
Growing up in a middle-income family, there is, was, and has been a lot of stress. Stress regarding housing; groceries; buying things which were needed; and things which were wanted. Specifically money. All of these needs and wants were fulfilled and are still being fulfilled by my parents. But not until I hit the age of twenty did I appreciate how much effort my parents were putting into erasing debt and living a more meaningful life. As role models, they would want to give us everything which they thought would help my sister and I live a meaningful life. And by giving us everything, our minds were cluttered with things we would want (thanks to society) rather than things we would need.
Seeing my closet full of unworn clothes, desk piled with electronics, and shelves full of books made me recognize that our everyday lives have been occupied by ‘things’. Things which we feel hold materialistic value in our lives. The idea that the stuff we own will brings us happiness, prosperity and well-being. That the ‘things’ we own will allows us to be the superior on the socio-economic scale when conversing with another individual.
But is that something that would truly bring you happiness?
The last time I checked, even if I didn’t carry my iPhone 5s (yes, its outdated, let me be), wear my nice H&M suits, wear my fancy watches and glasses – I would still be loved and taken care of by those who love me. By those who I’ve made memories with. By those who appreciate me because of my morals, values, attitude and positivity. Is this all cliché? Yes. But it’s something we oversee because we tend to want more. And realistically, because we don’t think we’re cool enough.
Now I’m not saying, “GET RID OF ALL OF YOUR STUFF!!” because that would be ridiculous. But what I am trying to tell you is, maybe you should start asking yourselves the questions I asked. To ask what truly adds more value in your life. To ask if you didn’t have the possessions you have, would you still be happy.
Recently, thanks to a wonderful friend, I’ve been exposed to a simple yet life changing tool that has helped me with this: the concept of Minimalism. Having less, which means more. To hold on to things which add value to your life, and let-go of things which you don’t not need. To invest in memories and experiences rather than materialist possessions. To create experiences which can perhaps be shared with the ones around us.
I like to call myself a Minimalist.
The concept of Minimalism was introduced by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus. If you feel like my self-realization added value to your life. Check out the Minimalists as they’ll offer a lens through which you will get a perspective on how to deal with your daily stresses, with materialistic possessions, finances, careers, etc. And help you live a more clutter-free life.
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