minimalism

Minimalism Across Cultures and Religions

July 3, 2023 — Leave a comment

Simplicity unites.

Minimalism didn’t begin with Netflix documentaries, Scandinavian furniture or YouTube creators.

Humanity has been rediscovering the same idea for thousands of years.

I’ve noticed a genuine interest from my readers in the “HOWs” of minimalism, but how about the “WHYs” and the “WHEREs” ?

Well, that’s what we’re here for today. What you’re about to read will bring things full circle.

After reading and writing about minimalism for 5+ years, I realized that this philosophy is nothing new. In fact, throughout history, most cultures and religions have emphasized the importance of living a simple and minimalist life.

  • Minimalism in ancient European Civilizations

In ancient Greece, Socrates famously espoused the idea that “the secret of happiness is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

Socrates believed that living a simple life was key to achieving contentment and stressed the importance of focusing on the essentials. His philosophy also focused on avoiding excess and materialism.

Similarly, in ancient Rome, Seneca wrote extensively about the virtues of minimalism.

In fact, Seneca believed that focusing on the basics and refraining from excess granted human beings a sure sense of inner peace and tranquility, and he couldn’t be more right.

Not only that, Seneca also emphasized the importance of mindfulness, advocating for individuals to live in the present moment and appreciate the simple pleasures in life.

  • Minimalism in Eastern religions

The concept of minimalism is central to many teachings in Buddhism and Hinduism.

In fact, Buddhism teaches that “desire is the root of all suffering” and that inner peace can only be achieved by letting go of our attachment to material possessions.

Indeed, the Buddha himself renounced his belongings and lived as a monk, teaching his followers to let go of desires and attachments in order to achieve enlightenment.

The Buddhist practice of meditation is the perfect illustration of that. While Seneca didn’t insist on one particular practice to promote mindfulness and presence, his ideas perfectly match Buddhist philosophy on this point.

Similarly, in Hinduism, the concept of “Sannyasa” or “renunciation”, is a central theme.

Sannyasa involves renouncing material possessions and living simply and in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

But Sannyasa isn’t the only Hindu concept that highlights a certain form of minimalism.

“Aparigraha” or “non-possessiveness” also points up the importance of avoiding excess and materialism in favor of simplicity and contentment, which ultimately shows that minimalism is nothing new, and that it took center stage in century long beliefs and religious practices in the East as much as in the West.

  • Minimalism in Monotheistic religions

In Judaism, the concept of “Tzedakah” or charity, is an essential part of the religion.

Tzedakah involves giving to those in need and promoting social justice.

By giving to others, we learn to reduce our attachment to stuff. Not only that, giving means we learn to prioritize the needs of others over our own desires.

The world needs more of this practice.

How about in Christianity?

Well, one of Jesus’ (AS) most famous teachings says “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

This idea highlights the importance of avoiding excess and materialism, and promotes selflessness and spiritual values.

Last but certainly not least, Islam.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived a humble and simple life. He owned the bare minimum, despite his influence, status and the wealth of his wife hazrat Khadija (RA).

7 Remarkable Things About Khadija, Wife of Prophet Muhammad

Many of Prophet Muhammad’s (PUBH) teachings revolved around the above-mentioned values of charity, avoiding excess and emphasizing spiritual and ethical values over material possessions.

Case in point, the Islamic concept of “Zakat” involves giving a fixed and predetermined percentage of one’s wealth (once a year) to the less fortunate, promoting empathy and compassion for others.

The universality of minimalism is evident in its presence across different cultures and regions worldwide, and there’s more !

  • Minimalism in ancient South American culture

Often forgotten when talking about minimalism and anti-consumerism, South American cultures and civilizations had some equally impressive values to the ones mentioned above.

“When the rivers are all dried up, and the trees cut down, man will then realise that he will not be able to eat money.” Native American proverb

For instance, if you look at the Inca civilization (present-day Peru, 13th to 16th century), living simply and in harmony with nature was paramount.

The Incas prioritized the concept of “Ayni,” which involved the reciprocal exchange of goods and services among members of the community, encouraging mutual aid and support.

Similarly, the Maya civilization (present-day Mexico and Central America, 2000 BC to the 16th century) practiced a simple and sustainable way of life as well.

The Maya were famous for their beliefs in the conservation of natural resources and living in harmony with the surrounding nature.

This was reflected in their agricultural practices, namely terrace farming and irrigation systems, which were brilliantly designed to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.

Quite the opposite of what we do today.

While the Incas and the Mayas are quite well-known, there’s another lesser-known civilization in the Nazca civilization.

Nazcas lived in a desert region (in modern day Peru) and relied on sustainable practices to survive.

For instance, they built underground aqueducts and water management systems to make sure they survived in their harsh environment.

The Nazcas also produced simple but elegant pottery, textiles, and other crafts, demonstrating their appreciation for the beauty in simplicity.

Nazca pottery by Teekay RM
Nazca, painted pottery (© Trustees of the British Museum)
  • Minimalism in ancient Asia

Last but not least, Asian ancient cultures also provide numerous examples of minimalism and simplicity being valued and practiced way back.

For instance, in ancient China, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Taoism highlights the importance of living a simple and natural life, in harmony with the flow of the universe this time.

This is commonly known as the concept of “Wu Wei.”

“He who knows he has enough is rich.” Lao Tzu

But besides ancient China and India (through Buddhism and Hinduism), another gigantic civilization from the East has its own form of minimalism: Japan.

Indeed, the Japanese aesthetic of “wabi-sabi” is a great example of minimalism and simplicity.

Wabi-sabi celebrates the beauty of imperfection and transience, emphasizing the importance of finding joy and contentment in the simple things in life.

  • Final word

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

That’s what fascinates me most about minimalism.

Across continents, religions and civilizations, people repeatedly arrived at the same conclusion, that a meaningful life is rarely built on excess. Time and again, humanity discovered that simplicity, generosity and moderation lead to a greater sense of peace and contentment.

Minimalism isn’t a Western trend or a passing lifestyle. It’s one of humanity’s oldest ideas.

Perhaps that’s because our deepest needs have never really changed.

We all seek purpose, inner peace and a sense of belonging. Throughout history, countless people found that owning less often helped them appreciate more.

I hope minimalism helps you live a life that is not only simpler, but also more ethical, more intentional and more fulfilling.

Thanks for reading.

Teekay.

How Minimalism Changed the Way I Think About Money

June 26, 2023 — Leave a comment

Let’s talk about money.

One of the greatest gifts minimalism has given me isn’t a cleaner home or fewer possessions.

It’s financial freedom.

Before becoming a minimalist, spending money felt almost automatic. A new shirt here, a gadget there, dinner out because I didn’t feel like cooking. None of these purchases seemed significant on their own, but together they quietly shaped the way I lived. I worked to earn money, then spent that money almost as quickly as I made it.

Minimalism broke that cycle.

The less I wanted, the less I needed to earn. The less I needed to earn, the less I needed to work. And the less I worked, the more time I had to enjoy the things money can’t buy.

That’s when I realized that spending less isn’t about deprivation.

It’s about freedom.

Over the years, minimalism has completely transformed the way I approach money. These are some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way.

It starts with knowing the difference between needs and wants

Minimalism constantly asks one simple question:

Do I actually need this?

It sounds obvious, yet most of us rarely stop to ask it.

Advertising has become remarkably good at convincing us that every inconvenience deserves a purchase and every desire deserves immediate satisfaction. Before long, our wants begin masquerading as needs.

Minimalism helped me separate the two.

The more I questioned my purchases, the fewer things I bought simply because everyone else was buying them.

Delay your purchases

One habit alone has probably saved me thousands of dollars, or euros.

I stopped buying things immediately.

Whenever I want something that isn’t essential, I wait.

Sometimes it’s a day.

Sometimes it’s a week.

More often than not, the excitement disappears before my money does.

Impulse buying feeds on urgency. Delaying gratification gives reason a chance to catch up.

Budgeting isn’t restrictive. It’s liberating.

A budget isn’t there to stop you from enjoying life.

It’s there to make sure your money goes toward the things you genuinely value.

Tracking my expenses helped me understand where my money was actually going rather than where I thought it was going.

The results were eye-opening.

Unused subscriptions.

Impulse purchases.

Convenience spending.

Small expenses repeated often enough to become surprisingly expensive.

Awareness came first.

Savings followed naturally.

Freedom is worth more than ownership

One of the biggest mindset shifts minimalism gave me was realizing that owning something isn’t always the most economical option.

If I can’t comfortably afford something today, I usually don’t buy it. I’ve never taken out a loan in my life, and I don’t intend to, ever.

That philosophy has helped me avoid unnecessary debt and the stress that often comes with it.

The same applies to transportation.

Cars offer convenience, but they also come with fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, parking fees and depreciation.

Whenever possible, I prefer walking, cycling or public transportation.

Not only do they save money, they often improve my health and reduce my environmental impact at the same time.

Sometimes owning less simply makes life easier.

Buy less, but buy better

Minimalism doesn’t mean refusing to spend money.

It means spending intentionally.

When I do buy something, I take my time.

I compare prices.

I look for secondhand alternatives.

I ask whether I already own something that serves the same purpose.

Many of my favorite possessions today weren’t new when I bought them.

Someone else no longer needed them.

I did.

Learn to enjoy inexpensive pleasures

One of the biggest surprises of becoming a minimalist was discovering how many enjoyable things cost almost nothing.

Walking through nature.

Borrowing books from the library.

Cooking meals at home.

Meeting friends for a picnic instead of an expensive restaurant.

Visiting free museums or community events.

Life became richer as my spending became smaller.

Ironically, many of the experiences I remember most were also the least expensive.

Cooking changed everything

For years, I relied heavily on restaurants and takeout.

It was convenient, but incredibly expensive.

Ironically, becoming vegan forced me to change.

Living in a city with very few vegan restaurants meant I had little choice but to learn how to cook.

Looking back, it was one of the best financial decisions I never intended to make.

Cooking at home dramatically reduced my food budget while giving me complete control over what I ate.

Sometimes what first feels like an inconvenience becomes an unexpected opportunity.

Your health is one of the best investments you’ll ever make

Saving money isn’t just about spending less.

It’s also about avoiding unnecessary future expenses.

Good food, regular exercise, adequate sleep and preventive healthcare often cost far less than treating preventable illnesses later.

As the saying goes, if you think good food is expensive, try illness.

Taking care of yourself today is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make.

Final thoughts

Minimalism didn’t make me wealthier because my income increased.

It made me wealthier because my definition of wealth changed.

I stopped measuring success by what I owned and started measuring it by the freedom I had.

The freedom to work less.

The freedom to spend intentionally.

The freedom to say no to purchases that added little value to my life.

Ironically, one of the oldest symbols of saving money reflects this same idea.

There are two popular theories explaining why we call them “piggy banks.” One traces the name back to pygg, an inexpensive orange-colored clay once used to make household jars that people stored coins in. The other comes from Germany, where pig-shaped money boxes became symbols of good fortune, fertility and frugality before spreading to other countries.

Whether the name comes from clay or pigs, the lesson is the same.

Saving money has always been less about the container and more about the habit.

Minimalism simply gave me a better reason to build that habit.

Thanks for reading.

Teekay.

You Don’t Need to Trust the Media to See Climate Change

August 25, 2022 — Leave a comment

Global warming is here to stay.

Climate change has become one of the most polarizing topics of our time.

Depending on who you ask, it’s either the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced or a problem that’s been exaggerated beyond recognition. Politicians argue about it. Television debates it. Social media turns it into another battleground.

But what if we stepped away from all of that for a moment?

What if, instead of asking what politicians, journalists or commentators think, we simply looked around us?

Sometimes, reality speaks for itself.

Over the past few years, I’ve watched rivers shrink, forests burn and heatwaves become increasingly common in places where they once felt exceptional. Friends living in different parts of the world tell similar stories. Farmers talk about unpredictable seasons. Water restrictions have become more frequent. Wildfires have intensified across multiple continents.

You don’t have to agree with every headline to notice that something is changing.

You don’t have to trust every report to observe what’s happening around you.

Talk to older relatives.

Talk to people who work the land.

Talk to fishermen, hikers or anyone who spends significant time outdoors.

Ask them whether the seasons still feel the same as they did twenty or thirty years ago.

Whether you trust politicians, journalists or climate scientists isn’t actually the point I’m making.

Reality exists independently of who reports it.

Climate change doesn’t care whether we’re conservative or progressive, religious or secular, rich or poor.

The atmosphere doesn’t vote.

Nature doesn’t negotiate.

The real question isn’t whether the climate is changing.

It’s how we choose to respond.

For me, the answer has less to do with waiting for revolutionary technologies than with rethinking the way we live.

We consume far more than we need.

We replace products that still work.

We normalize waste.

We chase convenience even when it comes at a tremendous environmental cost.

Modern consumerism has taught us that happiness comes from buying more.

The planet is telling us otherwise.

That doesn’t mean giving up comfort or returning to life centuries ago.

It means consuming more intentionally.

Buying fewer but better things.

Repairing instead of replacing.

Walking when we can.

Using public transportation more often.

Supporting companies that take sustainability seriously.

Reducing food waste.

Sharing resources instead of duplicating them.

Holding companies like banks accountable.

Many of these habits don’t just reduce our environmental impact.

They also save money, reduce stress and improve our quality of life.

That’s one of the reasons I was drawn to minimalism in the first place.

The same choices that help us live with less clutter often happen to be the same choices that place less strain on the planet.

Perhaps that isn’t a coincidence.

Maybe we’ve spent so long looking for complicated solutions that we’ve overlooked the simple ones.

Throughout history, humanity has repeatedly adapted to new challenges.

This one is no different.

The question isn’t whether change is coming.

It’s whether we’re willing to change with it.

Thanks for reading.

Teekay.

Downsizing tips from an eco-essentialist

January 4, 2022 — Leave a comment

The trinity of downsizing:

SellDonateTrash

Most of the stuff we buy throughout the years will either end up sold, donated or trashed.

It’s sad, but it’s also inevitable.

That’s one of the main reasons why I became a minimalist in for first place.

When I look at the number of things I owned throughout my life, I can’t help but feel guilty..

Guilty because most of it went out the window at one point or another, guilty because there definitely are people who can’t afford half the stuff we buy carelessly

Guilty because consumerism is so ingrained in our modern societies that we hardly question our spending habits.

Minimalism allowed me to shift my mindset completely, so the least I can do is simplify the process by sharing some of my tips with those looking to live mindfully and sustainably.

“But what do I do with all the stuff I own ? It’s already been made, bought and used (for most part)?”

That’s the type of question I usually get.

The answer is quite simple:

Sell: if you need the money and want your most valuable things to have a second life

Donate: if you don’t need the money and want your things to be repurposed and help people in need (Charity, NGOs, Homeless Shelters..)

Trash: everything that can’t be repurposed, sold or recycled. It’s unfortunate but don’t beat yourself up too much, it happens to the best of us.

Where to go from here?

Here’s a short list of things you can turn to if you want to minimize further. Some of these tips hint at frugalism as well.

  • Avoid eating out and getting take outs. Take out foods are usually less healthy and way more expensive than home cooked meals. Learning how and what to cook is a useful skill for a better life, health wise and financially as well
  • Stop “treating yourself” when you can’t even pay off your debt and loans. Focus on the things that truly matter to you, and things that could have a lasting effect. Perhaps you could treat yourself to some cooking or baking classes, that way you won’t have to overspend every time you crave something. Same goes with most skills (yoga, fitness, cooking, handywork..)
  • Stop seeking instant gratification. Instant gratification is one of our era’s worst nightmares. It’s responsible for depression, anxiety, people feeling lost, so on and so forth. Refraining from social media use is one of the best things you could do to heal from this disease, news fasts* are also very effective in that regard
  • Avoid fast fashion AT ALL COSTS. I know it’s convenient and cheap, but what comes easy never lasts. Also, it’s highly destructive to both nature and the humans behind it (btw click on the link if you’re not familiar with this industry, the video’s super dope and it’s only 8 mins long)
  • One grocery trip twice a month should be enough. Meal planning (and prepping) helps a lot as it decreases overspending, and waste, of course
  • Shopping online is better as it allows you to browse similar products to the ones you’re looking for, and find the ones that best fit your needs 
  • Go organic as much as you can. Health is important and bad health is extremely costly !
  • Go for one time purchases. For example, start using linen napkins instead of paper towels
  • This one’s quite personal and something I’m working towards but I always try to favor cash instead of credit/debit cards
  • Minimize unnecessary subscriptions – cloud storage, streaming services, music services, apps, gym, website memberships, meal delivery, monthly installments.. I’m sure we all have subscriptions we hardly ever use

Beside all this, digital minimalism is also something you could look further into:

  • Delete all the apps you don’t use regularly
  • Sift through and delete all the unread/undesired emails in your mailbox. Here’s the real cost of your full mailbox
  • Unsubscribe from all the lists that keep sending you updates, offers and newsletters that you hardly ever read. It may not seem like it but most of that stuff is costly in mental energy (c.f. decision fatigue), carbon emissions and anxiety
  • Organize your photos in folders and delete all copies and similar photos
  • Disable unnecessary notifications, especially the ones on social media. I personally only kept incoming calls and text message, as those are the ones I use the most with my family and friends

Reach out to me or leave me a comment if you have any specific questions, I’m always happy to help 🙂

*A news fast implies opting out of watching the news on TV, listening the radio, reading newspapers, or following the news on social media and other internet outlets.

The most valuable lessons I’ve learned since becoming a minimalist 

March 1, 2021 — Leave a comment

Minimalism made me reevaluate what time means to me and how much of it is wasted doing essentially nonsense. 

Minimalism makes you wonder, do I enjoy spending all my free time cleaning and doing maintenance? Do I like spending so much time in stores? Do I enjoy working so many hours and/or side jobs to pay for stuff that is mostly wants or impulse buys instead of needs?

The beauty of minimalism is that it doesn’t force us to do anything, it’s all about the freedom to choose and the power that comes from making decisions based on awareness instead of being ruled by unconscious impulses and societal conditioning (hello neuromarketing).

I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this, but having fewer dishes or less clothes doesn’t allow it to pile up. If you want a clean plate or outfit, you have to keep them clean.

About that, here’s a short and yet perfect story on how to deal with laundry, by Matt d’Avella.

To take this a step further, since becoming a minimalist, I noticed that I now need less self-discipline, since there is no other option than to wash whatever is dirty, and since there isn’t much to maintain and keep up with.

This could be summed up in an extremely simple reasoning: minimizing entails having less work to do.

How ? A simple equation:

Less stuff = less work = less stress

When my go-to isn’t buying more or calling anyone for help, I become more resourceful and creative with what I have. 

The other amazing thing about minimalism is that the momentum of enthusiasm created by downsizing/organizing one area of your physical life carries over into others.  You want to experience the thrill of accomplishment again and again.

Moreover, as a minimalist, I’ve stopped ignoring my problems, and instead started focusing on them, and minimizing them.

Less stuff also means less decisions, which undoubtedly leads to less decision fatigue.

Once you do not use up your decision making power in non-essential things (such as what to wear or which cup to use) you have more energy in making more important decisions.

A personal uniform could be the answer for some, not necessarily something that works for me though ^^

Last but not least, I think minimalism promotes self-mastery.

Minimalism helps you question everything and consider how temporary the ecstasy of (insert thing) will be. 

I think that’s deep. 

Minimalism: removing things that remove you from your life

April 5, 2019 — 2 Comments

From owning 51 pairs of shoes to less than 40 overall clothing items, how did I get here?

I could write a whole book about the many benefits of minimalism.

I talk a lot about minimalism and mindfulness on my podcast.

I truly and wholeheartedly believe this lifestyle can spark a change in the world, help people feel happier, lighter, achieve financial stability, work less and live more.

There are no good arguments against minimalism, just like there are none against veganism, but that’s another story.

That said, lately I’ve been exploring a different terminology. I felt as though the term “minimalism” wasn’t impactful enough.

Hear me out.

Most of us think we know what minimalism is, or what it entails. We don’t, not really.

The word “minimalism” is somewhat self-explanatory, which, IMHO, doesn’t do it justice.

This really got me thinking, so I decided to come up (or explain further) my own work-in-progress minimalism, which is a bit extreme, so I call it mindful essentialism, or just essentialism.

Why “essentialism” you ask? Simple: because I own the bare minimum, or rather, essentials only, no extras.

As an essentialist, one of the main focuses of my lifestyle is protecting the environment.

Consuming less leads to cutting down waste and living with a smaller ecological footprint. Simple.

I obviously still own and need some stuff, but the things I own and buy (when need be) are 100% environmentally friendly, and absolutely necessary. I also live frugally, and try to repair and repurpose all my belongings.

I’ve talked about this time and again on my podcast, but consuming less helps reduce the harmful impact of mindless consumerism on our planet. This makes essentialism a pro-environment and anti-consumption mindset and philosophy above everything else.

From shopping second hand and eco-friendly to investing in quality products (that last longer), my new shopping habits (close to nonexistent nowadays) help me reduce my carbon footprint significantly.

For instance, mindful shopping and making sure I don’t bring any unnecessary things into my life is the first thing on my mind when I’m out looking shopping;

Having the preservation of the planet in mind, essentialists like myself usually follow a vegan lifestyle as the two philosophies go hand in hand.

My other focus as an essentialist is to experience the world without getting tied down to a permanent place and financial burdens.

Instead of embracing materialism, I believe creating memories of my experiences is one of the two most important aspects of my life, the other one being giving (time and money) to charity and NPOs.

  • Travel-wise

As a lifelong traveler, I’ve always had trouble finding the right amount of things to pack up, so I always ended packing way more than I needed.

Since embracing this philosophy, I’ve noticed how traveling with fewer distractions allowed me to be more present and get the best out of each and every experience. It’s the little things, right?

For some nomadic minimalists, this lifestyle is just a practical way of moving around. For me, it’s challengingly fun to experience how little I (and now WE) can live with.

  • The mindful part of essentialism

As an essentialist, peace of mind is an integral part of why I chose this life.

Owning fewer things automatically reduced mental clutter for me, which is the number one cause of stress and anxiety for most people.

Owning less also reduces distractions and gives me the ability to focus on self-reflection (hence this post), self-love and personal development (once again, hence this post).

As a mindful essentialist, owning less possessions and being more present in the moment with my thoughts, my loved ones, my feelings and emotions has increased my quality of life in a significant manner. It’s made my life more meaningful and fulfilling.

Now, I’m not there yet, and I will keep working on shaping a better version of myself, pursuing excellence (a religious principle in my case) and adding value to other people’s lives.

I started my essentialist journey to escape the suffocation of stressful and expensive lifestyles, but I ended up finding a whole different facet of myself, a more relaxed and positive one.

In short:

Cutting down on “stuff” helped me become more mindful about self-care and my core values as well.

Essentialism has become a powerful tool in my journey of developing a better me. It’s helped me become more thoughtful as well.

Thank you for stopping by!

Here’s a short list of my favorite minimalists:

  • Leo Babauta from Zen Habits 
  • The minimalists
  • Sorelle Amore
  • Colin Write
  • Youheum from Heal your Living (personal fave)
  • and of course Matt D’Avella