Eyes Open

Epiphany - an experience of sudden and striking realisation.

Back in February of this year, I had a life changing, outlook broadening, perspective altering, eye opening experience... I stumbled upon a documentary called Minimalism.

I had heard the word minimalism used in conversation before, but I only knew it's architectural and artistic definitions. Minutes before starting the film, the future me had no idea that everything was about to drastically change.

(Cue an epiphany)

As soon as the credits began to roll at the end of the film, I realized it was just the beginning... The start of a new and improved me.

I realized, I'd been living my life blindly, following the so-called "American Dream" trying to make more money and obtain more things. 'Cause after all, we are taught from a young age, "The more the merrier". Right?

Well, way too much time and energy of mine was wasted, chasing after possessions and trinkets, instead of focusing on purpose and meaning.

I immediately started purging things that i no longer found value in. If it was a distraction from living a better, healthier, more rich in meaning life, I got rid of it.
If I no longer found that an item was of actual value (not of money, but of purpose), it was gone as well.

I separated all of my possessions into 3 piles:

To Keep, To Donate, To Throw Away.

1 month and 4 truckloads later, I found out I could be much happier knowing the things I own now, no longer OWN me.

Everything I kept and still have to this day, I use on a daily or weekly basis. No more storing items in dark neglected closets or forgotten plastic tubs for months and years at a time, just in case I was to "need" it at a later date.

The lifestyle of Minimalism has totally changed my outlook on shopping and how I spend every dollar. I no longer buy things impulsively. Before I purchase anything, I ask myself,

"Will this item add value to my life?" and if so, "In what way?"

And on more expensive purchases, I first ponder, if all the time sacrificed, stress endured, sweat poured and labor worked was truly worth the specific item desired.
I found that in most cases, it's not.

I don't do this to myself to take away any pleasure or happiness, but in all actuality, I do it to add more meaning, more joy and less distractions for what really matters in my life.

In the past several months, I've been lucky enough to have the opportunity to share their documentary with my wife, my parents and even my boss at work. I've seen changes in each of their lifestyles since... Some minor, some major. Either way, it's affected them positively.

Last week, I even had the privilege of minimising my personal copy of their first book, Minimalism: Living A Meaningful Life, to a guy on Twitter, who had commented on The Minimalists tweet about wanting to read their book. 

Honestly, it's hard to believe I've gained so much in a mere 6 months. Can't wait to see what the next 6 have in store! 😊

"My eyes were closed. They're open now."
- Damien Rice