👋Hello again!
In this episode, I have a conversation with my friend Laura about the concept of minimalism and how to embrace it in our daily lives. Laura is someone I have always admired for her calm and composed nature. Through our friendship, I have come to realize that her minimalistic mindset and lifestyle contribute greatly to her sense of peace. While the minimalism movement has gained mainstream popularity recently through Netflix shows and social media, she has been practising minimalism for years through her thoughtful choices and intentional living.
We discuss how Laura's minimalism journey began by questioning each choice she made and asking herself, "Would a disciplined, healthy person do/choose this?" This simple prompt led her to reevaluate her diet, social circles, and more. We also attempted to connect with the book by Dr Phyo Thiha- 'ဗုဒ္ဓအလိုကျ Minimalism' translated as Buddha's Way of Minimalism -emphasizing intentionality, emotional well-being and mastery of the mind.
By reducing excess stimulation and distraction, Laura gained confidence in herself, the ability to make purposeful choices and improved focus. Minimalism is not about strictly following prescriptive rules, Laura emphasizes. It is a personal journey to simplify your life in a way that works for you. Some of the benefits she has found include: saving money, easier mobility, contributing to charity, and environmental sustainability. The key is starting small by minimizing one area at a time using the 90-day rule to determine what adds value.
Bottom line: Our discussion highlights how minimalism enhances well-being through intentional living. By questioning each choice and reducing excess, we gain clarity and purpose. Minimalism leads to more meaningful consumption, relationships and experiences—not less. While popularized as a trend, minimalism at its core is a mindset for better living. Laura's guidance illustrates how we can each personalize minimalism through patience and practice. We realize minimalism extends far beyond material goods.
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