As I discussed on my YouTube channel in August, I’ve been re-embracing minimalism. It’s been a bit of a bumpy road as I’ve gone through the process of analyzing and decluttering my unnecessary possessions. I’ve been consuming a lot of content surrounding minimalism, and it is disheartening to see that so many people still subscribe to the most extreme versions of minimalism as the de facto standard. Let me put it bluntly – Minimalism isn’t asceticism. You are allowed to own stuff, and not only that, you're allowed to own and enjoy those things. You shouldn’t have to feel bad about purchasing a new piece of clothing, if it’s something you value. You shouldn’t feel bad about buying a new piece of decor if you enjoy decorating and beautifying your home. Just avoid buying things that don't add value to your life or that others expect you to own. You can live a comfortable life with less and still enjoy possessions. I do. I own 5 coffee brewers. I own more than 3 pairs of shoes, I own a car (unfortunate necessity in America), and more than one pair of headphones! Here’s a good rule of thumb that I like to follow: I can keep what I want as long as I'm using it frequently, have the space for it, and it doesn't contribute to clutter – both hidden and visible. So yeah, I’m still going to keep my 5-10 coffee mugs, my 5 coffee brewers, and my books. These possessions don’t define me, but I love them, and take great joy in owning and using them. Minimalism is what you make it. |
I'm a YouTuber creating videos about minimalism, self development, and my journey towards financial freedom. In this newsletter I'm sharing all things minimal living, self help advice, books and media, and more!
Hi friend, It’s been a minute! The last time I wrote to you here was __, and since then, it feels like so much has changed. The beginning of the year always leads me to be very introspective. My thoughts consist of: What did I accomplish last year? What do I want to accomplish this year? What are some areas where I struggled, and where can I improve in ? What do I want to change this year? During this period of introspection, I find myself learning a lot about my own thoughts, personality,...
Hey friend, I know it’s been a while since my last newsletter. The holidays, with all the time spent with friends and family, combined with my full-time job, kept me pretty busy these past couple of months. But I’m officially back to creating content! Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit existential, as I often do during the winter. One thing that’s been on my mind is this recurring cycle of passion and dispassion in my life. What do I mean? Let’s use my creative work as an example. I’ve been...
Hi friend, Lately, I’ve been trying to step away from my screens whenever possible. I often find this to be the case around the holidays. I yearn to spend less time on my devices, and more specifically, away from my desk. Engaging in analog activities has been a great way for me to connect with myself and my partner on a deeper level. Not only that, but when a screen isn’t hijacking your attention span, you can have a better sense of presence of what is going on around you, and what’s going...