Growing up, my mom always had this mindset of not wasting anything, but I didn’t even realize she was practicing minimalism back then. All I knew was that she lived a simple life, even when things were going well for us. She had this way of making the most out of everything we owned, and at the time, I didn't fully understand it.
I remember she would often pack up clothes she no longer needed and give them to people who could make better use of them. She had this whole network of people she would give out her wrappers and other clothes to, and in return, they’d sometimes give her things like bowls or buckets, which we needed. It was like a little trade that didn’t involve money but made sure everything went to good use.
She also had this habit of recycling my clothes and shoes once I outgrew them. Some of the clothes would become cleaning rags for the floor or even the car, while others would go to younger boys who could still wear them. She never liked the idea of things lying around taking up space if they weren’t useful anymore. It didn’t matter if we had a big space or not; she was strict about keeping things clutter-free and only holding on to what was necessary.
At first, I thought it was unnecessary. I mean, we had the space, so why not just leave things around and buy new ones if needed? But as I grew older, I started to understand her perspective. My mom’s lifestyle was all about valuing what she already had and avoiding waste, even if we were comfortable financially.
Overtime, her way of living life caused a bit of a rift between us. When we go out shopping, especially to a boutique, I’d sometimes pick out clothes that caught my eye, but she’d often advise against it, saying I already had better options at home. She believes in buying things that are truly necessary and hold real value rather than just flashy items. That way of thinking didn’t sit well with me at first. I’d feel frustrated, wondering if she was just being stingy or if she really didn’t have money.
it led to a few arguments, especially when I was younger and couldn’t buy things on my own. I just didn’t understand why she was so focused on spending as little as possible, even when it came to things I felt we could afford. But as I grew up and started buying things myself, I began to see where she was coming from. Managing your finances and your belongings thoughtfully isn’t always about what you can afford – it’s about making choices that serve you in the long run.
Now, I find myself living similarly, holding on to things that matter and being careful about spending. I guess her way of living has influenced me more than I realized. While it hasn’t always been easy to accept her minimalist approach, I can now appreciate the values she instilled in me. Minimalism isn’t just about having less; it’s about valuing what you have and making intentional choices. And I think that’s something I’ll carry with me, just like she has.
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