Stay Away From Consumerism, Here's How To Run The Concept Of Minimalist Life

Ilustrasi (Vacdll-Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The culture of consumerism is part of our daily lives. So many people consider luxury items, such as sports cars, the latest smartphones, branded bags, and dinners at fancy restaurants, as a measure of one's happiness.

When you buy limited edition sneakers that cost tens of millions, you may feel happy and proud. Then, soon the shoes feel boring until you buy other expensive shoes that end up piling up unused again. You buy it only because you can afford it.

So, does having all the luxuries make a person's life happy? The answer may be no. Because there are people who adopt a minimalist lifestyle and they claim to be happy and feel enough.

Minimalist lifestyle emphasizes the principle of less is more. People who apply it will try to reduce everything that is superfluous in life.

The concept of minimalism will make you more conscious in making decisions in life about what is needed and leave things less meaningful.

When you have a lot of things, you are indirectly tied up. This feeling will increase your fear of missing something. Meanwhile, the minimalist concept will teach people to feel free and be happy to give up something voluntarily.

There is no point in keeping clothes that don't fit, electronics off, and other things that are sitting in a corner. Initially, you may feel that the items can be used again later. However, for months or even years, these objects have never been touched.

Applying a minimalist lifestyle will also prevent you from consumptive behavior. This means you can save a lot more.

When you think of a minimalist life, it doesn't mean that you live with few things, live in an empty house, use old school objects that are irrelevant to today's life, and shouldn't shop at all.

Are you allowed to shop? Sure it is allowed. However, before that, you have to think carefully about whether it is really needed, will it be used for a long time, will it not interfere with routine expenses or savings, and are there any other alternatives?

You have to really think about what to buy. Don't be tempted by discounts or cheap prices even though you don't need them. Use money well. Buy quality goods, even though they are expensive, but they can be used for a long time, even until they break.

For example, you need a new bag or shoes that are great for the office. Try to consider, do you have to buy from a well-known fashion house that can cost tens of millions? Or, buy it from local products which may cost only Rp. 500 thousand-Rp. 2 million but the quality is equally good. Remember again, what you need is quality shoes or bags, not famous brand logos.

The minimalist concept can be started from decluttering or sorting the things you have. When you are still consumptive, you may often buy things you don't need. Just because it is cute and cheap, everything is bought and ends up unused.

The decluttering process can be done by removing all items, then selecting which ones are still used, which ones will be repaired, and which ones will be sold or donated. After fewer items, it will be easier to rearrange them.

If you need something, don't buy it right away! Consider borrowing or renting. For example, when you want to make cakes, you don't need to buy a mixer and oven. Try borrowing a friend, especially if you just want to do it every now and then.

Even baby equipment, vehicles, or a set of party clothes from a well-known fashion designer, complete with bags and shoes, can now be rented.

In the end, living a minimalist lifestyle makes you more relieved, healthier, thrifty, lives sufficiently, and gives you happiness. You will also be free from guilt due to being too consumptive.

How, interested in trying it?