Minimalism and renewal

"The intention of voluntary simplicity is not to live dogmatically with less. It is a more demanding intention to live with balance. This is a middle way that moves between the extremes of poverty and indulgence". Duane Elgin.

In a world of appearance, it is a constant challenge to think differently. A little over a year ago, I started to apply minimalism in my life. Things, situations, people, and I must say that it has been wonderful, although I still have a long way to go.

It is definitely true what they say that as without, so is within. If we are in a chaotic environment, in disorder, full of things we don't use, it will be a reflection of how our mind and our inner feeling is.

I realised that there is so little that we really need, and that it is very rich to walk lightly, that this is already a road of no return.

I started to donate things I no longer used, to throw away what was damaged. I realised that I didn't need a wardrobe full of clothes I didn't wear or even like.

I distanced myself from people who did not add to my life, on the contrary, they detracted from it. I decided to apply that better quality than quantity.

I also ventured into the world of natural cosmetics and to make better use of the resources that nature provides us with. Because I believe that this whole philosophy goes hand in hand with general health, with visual and mental hygiene. And you start to take better care of yourself, to eat healthier, to use little or no make-up, and the feeling of needing less and less is unbeatable.

For me it has been challenging because in the past I was a bit of a compulsive shopper, and I ended up giving away clothes with tags on them, accumulating things that were just a nuisance.

Recently, I gave away my living room furniture. It was in pretty bad shape, because I had a couple of very naughty puppies. And, they were so old that it wasn't worth reupholstering them, besides, as I'm in that renovation wave after a divorce, I've preferred to keep the essentials and little by little acquire furniture that I really like and according to my new tastes.

So yes, I gave away the furniture, donated some tables, removed the pictures from the walls, and painted white. I'm left with just a dining table for now, oh, and my little plants that can't be missing. I've seen a lot of minimalist decorations, but the ones I like are furniture shops far away from where I live, or, excessively expensive furniture, and even if I had the money, spending a lot of money on furniture doesn't seem right to me. It's just furniture. I'd rather travel with that kind of money, to be honest, but at least a sofa is a necessity at home.

I'll check the community posts for ideas, I'm thinking a sofa and maybe an armchair. Then maybe some inspirational pictures and that's it.

I promise to show you my living room when I get the new furniture. Which I will do soon, but I don't lose sleep over it, I'm not in a hurry. In the meantime I will continue emptying drawers, donating, and leaving spaces for the new, fresh and necessary things to come in.

I recommend from my experience to anyone who is thinking of taking the step and making the transition to a minimalist lifestyle, to do it without thinking about it, the freedom that you breathe, gives a lot of peace.

Thank you for reading me, I hope to continue to nourish myself in the community with this new lifestyle I have chosen.

This is my entry to the #Kiss oftheweek initiative, and also my first post in the community.😊