Minimalism | 2 of 2

"First off, it's acknowledging that you have a choice."

If you read part one, you may recognize that as my first aspect of Minimalism. This first aspect can show itself in many ways but here's how I see it in my own life.

See, I came from a family where we tended to jump right to the back of any store, where you'd find a glorious clearance section. We didn't bother with labels or brands, not that we really had the fund to anyways. 70%-off signs were just about my favorite things in life and I don't thing I made my first not-on-sale purchase until high school. In many ways, I still have that mindset. I suppose the point isn't in buying labels or not- the point is that you consciously made a decision.

““First off it’s acknowledging that you have a choice.””

— Katlynn Schmick

That applies to things beyond brands and labels. Taking note of your options and purposely picking one over the other is yet another way you can take control of your life. This element of control is what allows you to ditch the things you kept around on default and make your life on of harmony.

Now, this is where you can start by asking yourself a few key questions. What aspects of your life bring you happiness: Which aspects create anxiety or frustration? Now, look into this a bit further. Why is it that a certain thing is angering. Or what about this activity or object makes me excited? Thinking deeper about even the most basic parts of your day will bring you new insight into yourself.

When I started my journey as a minimalist, I didn't' really have a name for what I was doing. I didn't realize there were loads of people trying to do the same thing and I definitely didn't realize how much the small decisions I was making at the time would grow into other aspects of my life. I had basically just made this executive decision that things in my life that weren't adding to my happiness had to be removed and that which brought me closer to harmony would stay. When possible, I even added more of those things that brought me happiness as I gained room by removing the rest.

““I had basically just made this executive decision that things in my life that weren’t adding to my happiness had to be removed and that which brought me closer to harmony would stay.””

— Katlynn Schmick

Every action, every object went though the same decision-making test of what it actually added to my life. I felt so liberated that I could ask myself this. I was even more hooked when I almost immediately noticed a difference.

So take the jump. You have the power to question what's around you and change what isn't working. Stepping out of auto-pilot will be an amazing journey of change and growth. Make decisions, feel your power, and bring harmony to your life.

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