There’s no denying that act of letting go is simple. You suddenly stop holding onto the thing that is taking up your time, your space, or your energy. But the process of letting go can be a timely and complicated journey.
The most important lesson I’ve learned in the process of letting go is to validate the thoughts and feelings when we decide to part with someone or something. And while happiness is something we all deserve to feel, emotional pain is something that demands to be felt.
To deny yourself moments of grief is to deny yourself a significant part of your journey. So no matter how big or small of a loss it is, let yourself grieve when necessary. In those moments, you’ll get some of your best thinking done. You’ll draw some of the best conclusions about yourself and your purpose that you may have never considered before.
Acceptance, gratitude, and growth are waiting for you on the other side of grief. You will get there at your own pace.
Hi. I’m Jessica Michelle. I’m a survivor of year 2020. And if you’re reading this, so are you. Welcome.
Through a series of unfortunate events from that year, I rediscovered my love for home decorating. This hobby of mine unexpectedly became a healthy outlet for me during a time where I struggled with my own personal frustrations and hopelessness. A significant part of that process was getting rid of the household items that I no longer needed or wanted. Oftentimes these unwanted items were attached to a negative thought or memory. So with careful consideration, I decided to purge those negative and impractical things from my home and from my life. Eventually, I found a new appreciation for the extra space I had in my apartment and I began surrounding myself with carefully selected items that I valued the most. Seeing these valued treasures around the home reminded me of not only who I am, but also, who I hope to become. This enabled me to refocus my boundaries and refine my purpose in life, which is a continuous process. So to keep myself motivated, I’ve decided to start a blog on how to live a minimalist lifestyle.
On its surface, minimalism means getting rid of the unwanted clutter from our surroundings; however, practicing minimalism in our daily lives is not strictly limited to getting rid of tangible things. This can look like clearing, storing, or even transforming the things or ideas that take up space in our lives. One of my favorite quotes about minimalism is from Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist. He defines minimalism as “…the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.” To me, this means setting a boundary between keeping what is needed or cherished versus getting rid of what is impractical or unnecessary.
I used to picture minimalism as white walls, modern Scandinavian furniture, and maybe a capsule closet with no more than 20 items inside. And everything is overpriced. No, the minimalism tips and tricks that I will be promoting here does not romanticize the kind of minimalism exclusively for the wealthy elite or trendy Instagram gurus. The kind of minimalism that I want to promote is achievable by all.
“Minimalism is about intentionality, not deprivation.”
D. Stojanivic
It is also important to acknowledge that our values can look quite different from one another. A minimalist lifestyle does not have one singular look to it, and it may change frequently depending on our circumstances. This can be an immensely personal matter that requires a deep understanding of who you are, where you currently are in life, and your own core values. It is a process that requires careful consideration and should not be done out of impulsivity or excessiveness. And while a minimalist lifestyle may not be for everyone, I believe a that some of its basic principals are achievable to those who seek it.
So, with all things considered, I will be blogging bi-weekly about miscellaneous topics revolving around the following objectives:
Less clutter, more space
Less debt, more savings
Less stress, more health
Less oversight, more intention
Practicing minimalism in our daily lives can help us adjust our mindsets to live more consciously by surrounding ourselves with the items that bring us purpose and peace. It is my hope that this blog inspires you to define what you value most and to live a more purpose-driven lifestyle. And please, feel free to reach out and contact me by either leaving a comment or by reaching me on one of my social networks if you have any ideas on what minimalism looks like to you, or the things that make your life easier and more efficient. I am always eager to hear from you.
Wishing you a better year than the last one. Cheers!
