Backpack Minimalism
Yesterday I was listening to a podcast about spiritual minimalism and the host’s journey started with material minimalism. He was curious about how little “stuff” he could live with. Over the course of 5 years, he curated his stuff down to one daypack of what he considered necessities. One daypack! That absolutely blew my mind AND made me super curious about what stuff I would consider necessities.
Some of the first things that came to mind were creature comforts such as specific pillows and coffee creamer. These could both present some logistical issues. My beloved Planet Oat Creamer wouldn’t make it very long without refrigeration. And toting a backpack large enough for 3 king-size pillows could be quite challenging.
It would seem that living the backpack lifestyle wasn’t in my near future, but this exercise did beg the question: Why did I choose these items in particular?
Creature Comforts
I find it fascinating that I chose items that begin and end my day, like creature comfort bookends. That first cup of dark, steamy coffee laced with my beloved creamer gently eases me from sleep to wakefulness. It’s a small joy that signifies the start of a new day, fresh with possibility.
The pillows, on the other hand, represent the allure of relaxation and rest at the end of a busy day. They cradle me in their softness, providing a safe haven from the chaos of the world, a place where my dreams can unfurl and rejuvenation takes place.
While not necessities in the purest sense, I can see why my brain immediately fought to protect these daily pleasures at the mere hint of danger. And although they might not make sense in a literal backpack, they do feel very important to my wellbeing. I would definitely make room for them in my figurative backpack as they lighten my load on the daily.
More Joy
Minimalism need not be about abandoning what brings joy, focusing on stripping away or doing without. True minimalism begs us to curate our lives carefully, distilling it to its most authentic and meaningful core.
Ask yourself: What is important to me? What do I want to include? Answering these questions and then saying, “I want more of THAT!” will help clarify your truest desires and allow excess and unnecessary clutter gently fall away.
Are you feeling drawn to a simpler life? Not necessarily a life that will fit into a small backpack, but one where you can choose joy more often?
You CAN create a life that reflects your truest dreams and desires. I can help you gain the clarity and confidence you’ll need to begin.
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