These days, we realised that we can definitely live with less things. We can make do with the things we have on hand. Most of the shops are closed anyway and the need to accumulate seem just too unnecessary & frivolous. Our situation today is a perfect time for us to embrace Minimalism with open arms and gratitude.
Minimalism is a lifestyle that embodies intentional living with only the things that you need and that would support your purpose to focus on the things that matter most & remove the distraction of excessive possession. Incorporating Minimalism in your lifestyle reaps so many benefits beyond just simple decluttering. It can give you peace of mind, allows you to save, create more time & space for your & your family and it even claims to result in weight loss, I am not kidding.
If you are interested to read more about Minimalism before you embark in your minimalism journey, here are 3 books I recommend for you to read:
- L’art De Simplicite: How To Live More With Less by Dominique Loreau
If get to choose just one book to read regarding minimalism, this would be it. The author is French living in Japan writes how to embody the minimalism practice in all aspect of your life. She writes how we can live a simple life in our home, our beauty regimen and our mind. She is so specific and detailed in her writing. She provides helpful lists and wonderful DIY beauty recipes too. It is so beautiful written that it is the one of two book I brought with me to Oman (the other is a new book for me to read on the flight here). Please get this gem of a book. If only I can give this book to all my friends, I would.
2. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo
Credit by: Amazon
When you think of Minimalism, one of the people that brought this movement into mainstream is no one else but Ms. Marie Kondo. This pretty petite Japanese consultant got so big in the public consciousness after writing this book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying. It got so popular that people started decluttering their homes, letting go of unnecessary, material things, creating more rooms for harmony & space and practicing minimalism. I love tidying so I easily embraced her principles happily. She created such a successful brand for herself despite the fact that she can’t speak English fluently. She made several books after, namely Spark Joy (digs deep on how to organise, tidy up & fold clothes) and Joy at Work. She also have a cool mini-series at Netflix called Tidying Up with Marie Kondo where she helps families tidy-up their living spaces & transform their lives.
3. Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki
Credit by: Amazon
The last one is again from another Japanese author. Japan seems to have perfected the art of minimalism so most of the inspiration is drawn from Japanese lifestyle. I got this as a free audiobook. Unlike Marie Kondo, Fumio Sasaki is not an international organising consultant. He is just an ordinary guy who is constantly stressed and often compares himself to others. He, then, decides to make a change by discarding the things he doesn’t truly need in his life which resulted to a remarkable change in his life. Sasaki found his life enriched by gaining true freedom, new focus and real sense of gratitude I love how he shares his personal minimalist experience and his specific process into minimalism. He shared how transformational minimalism can bring to anyone.
If you need tips on how to simplify you life and practice minimalism, check out my previous blog post: HOW TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE & PRACTICE MINIMALISM.
If you some time in your hands, get a hold of these books in an ebook or audiobook at Kindle , Audible or Scribd.
To be happy, live simply…” – L’art de Simplicite’ “