Minimalism (aka Simple Living) is a great way to live an ecologically-sustainable life, but is there a way to make it sustainable from a pysochological standpoint as well? That is, how does one reduces one's feeling of deprivation while reducing one's material possessions?
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2I found that buying less stuff and cleaning up my house and getting rid of things I hardly ever use, gives a feeling of lightheartedness. It not only cleans up your home, somehow it also clears your head. – THelper Jan 07 '15 at 08:30
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Don't know if it'll work for everyone, but my solution - and indeed, the way I arrived at living a (somewhat and in some respects) minimalist lifestyle - is to not think of things as deprivations, but as advantages. So my not owning a TV is not depriving me of TV viewing, it's giving me lots of free time to do other (IMHO more interesting) things; not flying commercial is not deprivation of travel, but frees me from TSA indignities & seating discomfort; driving a small car gives me agility rather than depriving me of comfort & status; biking instead of driving gives me healthy exercise & recreation...
jamesqf
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1This has worked for me as well. It was minor, everyday eliminations and their slow refinement of my interests and requirements that eventually formed an all-encompassing attitude. – Filip Dupanović Jan 08 '15 at 21:48
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I believe the key lies in refining the few things that you decide to keep.
Such an approach is described at less.best.
Ismael Ghalimi
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