Article: How Minimalism Can Improve Mental Health

[Ultralight]

I think it is a little light, but still not a bad read.

http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/how-minimalism-can-improve-mental-health

[Gardenarian]

Interesting. I've been thinking a lot about minimalism lately, and what it entails.

I think a lot of minimalists do embrace the minimalist aesthetic, not just the lifestyle. They would choose a sleek chrome desk lamp over a stained glass one, plain dishes rather than fancy patterned ones (even if the more ornate items might be less expensive or in some way more practical.) Not a criticism at all, just an observation.

I am moving toward minimalism personally, though it is difficult in a household where the others are more maximalist (apparently, not a word, but, you know.) There are a few areas where I can make unilateral decisions - like my wardrobe - but I can't stop dh from buying silly outfits for the dog, or dd from having 40 kinds of lip gloss.
And my dh does get stressed out over his stuff; I see it happening all the time.

I always look for products and ways to do things that 'stack functions', as we say in permaculture. I look for plants that are pollinators, edible, drought tolerant, attractive, native, quick growing and long lived, low maintenance, and the deer don't eat them. Even better if it's nitrogen fixing.
In the same way, my velvet curtains block the sun, cold, wind, noise, absorb sound indoors, look great, provide privacy, and are neutral enough to have lived in three houses (25 years so far.)

What I'm looking for is to get the maximum use out of the things I do have, and do the 'stacking functions' test on anything I might be thinking of buying. I like the idea of zucchini noodles, but can I use the gadget for anything else? Hmm... Can I use a knife (a good multi-purpose tool) instead? Probably.

While some minimalist scorn smartphones (and smartphones can be annoying) they are a really good case in point for stacking functions. I'm looking forward to the cell phones/tablets/devices of the future, that will perhaps completely eliminate the need for personal computers, e-book readers, DSLR cameras, credit cards, keys, etc. They'll probably perfect them just before the electrical grid comes down forever :)

On the other hand, there is something pleasingly simple (and maybe minimalist?) about a print book.

[Ultralight]

stack functions

Love this term!

[Zoe Girl]

I kinda love my smart phone, I have an android and my work phone is an i-phone 5. I am delaying buying a new computer because I am waiting to get one device that does more with less space and there are just too many options to choose yet.

Overall I live minimalist and pretty much my kids do. I don't see a lot of shopping, even from the one who borders on hoarding in our family. They get things and then replace old stuff rather than having a lot. I live in a city apartment with no extra storage and amazingly it all fits one way or another. I have to change up how I store things so the few tools we need are in the bathroom because it has the most cabinets. We do have a couple really nice large closets, and I don't want to get rid of everything, but there is a little space in all our storage.

It reminds me of when we were house shopping many years ago in California. The houses are smaller there overall but that was fine. There was one however that seems so crowded, the owner was there for the tour and showed off a lot of storage spaces but every one was neatly packed to the limits. It made the space feel like it was crowded even though everything was super clean and neat. I have a thing about clear spaces on counters and desks so at first it seemed great, but who really needs 6 boxes of ziploc bags at any given time! It helped me think through when I sold a house.

[Dhiana]

+1 to what Gardenarian said!

We do see so many articles and books about decluttering and organizing and
clearing it out Konmari Style most lately, but not so many about NOT bringing it into the home in the first place.

To me that is a very, very important step in a minimalist lifestyle.

[catherine]

Love this term!

Gardenarian is a permaculturist, and stacking functions is a key permaculture principle.


The older I get the more I get the connection between a cluttered space and a cluttered mind, so if mental health can also mean an ability to focus and concentrate, yes, clutter can impede that. As you get older, you lose a little focus, so I am finding it's more and more important to simplify my surroundings.

I have a guest room that is almost completely empty, because it was the room my DS/DDIL inhabited for a few months. When they took all their stuff, they left a happy vacuum. Nothing in the closet. Nothing in the drawers. There's a nicely dressed bed, my favorite dresser, a couple of nightstands with lamps, some black and white wall art and curtains. That's it. On occasion, if my dog kicks me out of my bed, or if DH is snoring, I seek refuge in this guest room and it is SO calming. I love waking up in it. I keep saying I have to strip the rest of my house down, but it's not easy.

[sylvia]

MInimalism is a a life saver, strangely decluttering is like peeling layers of an onion. Its taken me over 10 yeras to declutter. Each layer of stuff thrown away was like a trip in the past and sorting all those feelings of feeling stuck. It took courage to let go when I grew up with a packrat father that we could use this someday and just being stuck with indecision. I wasnt a hoarder or living with too much but now Im at streamlining my home, making it light and easy to clean in less time. The final frontier is minimalist living where you operate your life in an effecient and simple way. I would love to have just a bed , afew outfits and not to have to make a thousand decisions.Japanese zen minimalism is essence of elegance and simplicity and very sophisticated .Now it's becoming a philosophy and its been a lifesaver.Messes tend to aggravate me and I dont think its an OCD thing but rather mental static that has to be quieted and sorted out.

[kib]

My minimalism is more of a shabby chic than a tech paradise. I actually like my stuff a little worn, unique. I don't hate sleek ultramodern design but I don't think I'd feel at home with it. Totally agree with Gardenarian about multifunction / stacking, altho I did finally break down and buy a yogurt maker (still in the box, $4 thrift find); I'm tired of curdling, clotting and souring milk rather than "yoging" it.

[Ultralight]

MInimalism is a a life saver, strangely decluttering is like peeling layers of an onion. Its taken me over 10 yeras to declutter. Each layer of stuff thrown away was like a trip in the past and sorting all those feelings of feeling stuck. It took courage to let go when I grew up with a packrat father that we could use this someday and just being stuck with indecision. I wasnt a hoarder or living with too much but now Im at streamlining my home, making it light and easy to clean in less time. The final frontier is minimalist living where you operate your life in an effecient and simple way. I would love to have just a bed , afew outfits and not to have to make a thousand decisions.Japanese zen minimalism is essence of elegance and simplicity and very sophisticated .Now it's becoming a philosophy and its been a lifesaver.Messes tend to aggravate me and I dont think its an OCD thing but rather mental static that has to be quieted and sorted out.

Many good points here! :)

Ten years is a long trip, but worth it I am certain.

Tell me about your finish line, what does it look like?

[Ultralight]

My minimalism is more of a shabby chic than a tech paradise. I actually like my stuff a little worn, unique. I don't hate sleek ultramodern design but I don't think I'd feel at home with it.

I am with you on this. I don't have an eye for fancy stuff. I prefer things that are rugged and useful. But then again, I don't prefer many things at all. ;)

[sylvia]

Kib what you are describing as Wabi Sabi style in Japanese, it's worn and eclectic but aesthetically perfect tried and true like a good pair of old worn leather shoes still comfortable and useful but with a history. My Judo instructor had an old worn faded black belt he earned and wore. That is Wabi Sabi, old and wise or a bottle of old wine (wink!)Ultraliteangler thanks for the positive comment I havent thought of the finish line yet maybe because the layers of my oniony life are vast and I am continuing on to my art and painting layers. Each layer comes with a decision of existence , how I want to exist and what goes what stays. Finish line would be the end of the line I actually thought about it once, my legacy would be my paintings of my homeland and world travels and leave my kids with no junk to sort through. I hope they would remember me with love not hate , with a smile and not a tear.