Minimalism challenge week one! It’s incredible how light I feel right now, but with a dash of gulit. Why? Because I’ve gotten rid of half of my stuff (no I’m not missing it, a lot of it when for charity), it’s just horrifying when visiting the dump station where you pay only $25 and all your “memories” are thrown on a massive pile of dump. It was scary seeing how much unnecessary stuff we buy! We get tired of it and we just dump it, which ends up in our ocean anyway and then in our food.
We think we payed only $25 to get rid of it and now we feel lighter and it’s not our problem anymore? No, not really. It will come back as a boomerang and I’m one of those guilty ones yes, I admit it.
I know it’s not all our fault, they are giving us too many choices, we used to buy good quality machines, that worked for years (in Slovenia I still have a dishwasher that is 28 years old!) and have three outfits per week – now we are able to buy a $2 singlet that we will wear for that one festival and then throw it away!?
But we DO have a choice! Thats why I’m accepting my own personal minimalism challenge where I reuse, recycle and only buy good quality objects that can be used for longer periods of time, I will take care of my fashion pieces and stitch them up when needed, not throwing them away and always reading the care labels. Not only for our planet, but for my own personal development as well. Less clutter = more focus!
Overcoming the pull of consumerism is a difficult challenge regardless of our stage in life. But for a comfortable life we don’t need much! Simplicity requires encouragement and minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from giving too much meaning to our things, often forsaking our health, our relationships, our passions, our personal growth, and our desire to contribute beyond ourselves. Allowing you to make these decisions more consciously, more deliberately.
What does this have anything to do with cooking or recipes? I’m glad you’ve asked. It will be a challenge in my closet as well as in my kitchen. Yes, recipes can be minimalist as well with using few ingredients, but always local and seasonal which makes it even more delicious. No need to do to much with the best quality ingredients, as they are full of flavour already.
Guys, this will be the new blank page for me, my recipes and my way of thinking – the art of Simplicity…the ultimate sophistication.
