You might have come across the word “minimalist” or maybe the expression “becoming minimalist.” If not, then let me introduce you to it. In a nutshell, becoming minimalist is living a life with less material possessions, a life of freedom, free from the demands of the society. Some people see this as living a life of little or no bills to worry about, with less than 100 possessions, with a total of 30 clothing items to wear, no cars, no kids, you can name the rest.
After my last trip to Cameroon in January 2016, I realized I needed a lifestyle change. Prior to my trip, I was struggling financially, yes I mean struggling, and in addition to all my travel expenses I went on to buy a bag full of new clothes and shoes just for my trip. My lame excuse: I don’t have summer-like clothing and shoes for the scourging Tiko/Limbe/Mamfe heat. Really?
Fast-forward to the end of my stay in Cameroon; I was forced to abandon most of the things because I chose traveling with my Cameroonian foodstuffs over the clothes and shoes. A month after my arrival, I had not unpacked my bag. Why? I did not have space in my closet for those additional items.
Ding! Ding! Ding! That bell in my head could not stop ringing. I was slowly becoming a hoarder, I thought to myself. I had to address this situation as early as possible. I finally received the wake-up call. I sprung from my bed, grabbed the bag I had been staring at, emptied all its contents onto my bed. In anger, I opened up my closet, and one section after the other removed everything. At the end of the night, I had filled up five trash bags of items for donations. I can’t explain how I felt after this.
As the days went by, I also decided to change my spending habits, not using shopping as a form of therapy anymore but going for the essentials only. #struggles In a quest to know more about this new feeling of wanting to have less and living little, I went on a search. Boom! I realized I was becoming minimalist. I learned a new word, a new way of life; I was determined to be fresh and free.
I recently walked into a young couple’s home and was so impressed with how less stuff they own, and I was more inspired and glad I am working hard towards such a serene lifestyle. Let’s take a moment to think of how much stuff we’re hoarding. aarrghh
Well as a new me, still struggling to be a minimalist, I have experienced some growth but I still want to be able to:
- Love me first
- Ensure my lifestyle is not defined by my society
- Spend less and reuse more
- Get rid of unnecessary items or de-clutter
- Buy less
- Create space
- Establish a cheap lifestyle
- Don’t use the mall as my therapy room
- Set savings goals
- Give away what i don’t want or use/ Re-gift items
- Yes! Yes! Yes! Recycle my wardrobe as many times as I can
I can add a lot to this list as time goes on, I am taking a step at a time and am hoping a lot of us can join the train. We can do this.
#becomingminimalist #minimalist
With Love,
Ma
MeezAkoh 
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