It’s a mystery to me We have a greed With which we have agreed You think you have to want More than you need Until you have it all you won’t be free Eddie Vedder has a valid point there. Why do we want more than we need? The premise behind minimalism is reducing the amount of possessions we consume in order to de-clutter our lives. The ‘less is more’ approach is something we could all aim to incorporate more. As a society there is a misconception that we must always have the newest ‘things’ because we need them. But it is important not to confuse our needs and wants as consumers. We actually don’t need that much to not only survive, but live whole and fulfilling lives. The Japanese are a good example of how to incorporate minimalism into our lives. The influence of zen Buddhism means that Japanese people strive for simplicity where less is definitely more. They only need one fork, one spoon, one pot, one pan etc etc. The result is a stripped back living environment where people can focus on doing just that – living. This lifestyle has many benefits. Not only is it economical; it minimizes waste, reduces stress, increases concentration and it is easy to keep organized and clean. An organized surrounding is more conducive to an organized life. So next time you’re in line at the checkout, consider your purchase. If it doesn’t bring you joy, you don’t need it. Don’t let the things you own end up owning you. Embrace the power of minimalism.
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Addiction is defined as a 'physical or physiological need for a habit forming substance'. But who knew a phone would soon be a substance? We all know the girl who texts through dinner dates, compulsively checks Instagram to see what her friends are doing, or ends every argument with a Google search. But are we all guilty? Recently I caught myself waking up and reaching for my phone before I said good morning to my partner. It wasn't until he texted me good morning (yes he was lying right next to me!) that I even realised he was awake. He joked that I was addicted to my phone, but I found myself thinking about it all day - and I didn't like it. When did I become this person? I had always made fun of my sister because I never saw her without her phone, so how had I morphed into her without even realising? It starts innocently enough. Checking my calendar, then work emails, Facebook notifications, Snap stories, Instagram stories, scrolling Instagram, back to Facebook to read pointless articles, a quick Insta stalk sesh ... before I know it I'm scrolling through an acai bowl appreciation page? But seriously, check 'em out @melbourneacaibowls - so pretty!
The scary part is that reliance on technology is affecting our personal relationships. Sure I still talk to colleagues at work, go for coffee with my friends and I still call my mum. But what about when I'm walking with headphones on. What about when I'm sitting at lunch and watching Snapchat stories. What about when a stranger asks me for directions and I say 'no thank you' because I think they're trying to harass me - true story. How many interactions am I missing out on? One day I saw my neighbour and she suddenly had a baby. Where was I for nine months? So many questions yet so little answers. So I've decided to actively have more 'phone-free' time. More real connections. Less cyberspace. I had to start small - no phone in bed, no phone after 9pm, no phone in the bathroom. The digital world is not the real world. Who cares what killer outfit Bella Hadid wore last night. Who cares what amazing pancakes my friend ate at brunch. Who cares what character on OITNB I would be. I care about I care about saying good morning to my partner. GET REAL. Look up. X NIHILO's latest campaign highlights bold women who are paving the way for change. Throughout the campaign, they will be featuring intimate interviews with inspirational women who all have their own unique story to tell, from entrepreneurs to humanitarians to super mums ... there are no boundaries to what makes a woman inspiring. #AllYouAre They created the hashtag #AllYouAre to celebrate all women who come from different walks of life yet who share the same attitude to be unapologetically themselves. To be #AllYouAre is to be loud, proud and confident in our differences which make us unique. They encourage everyone to participate in their campaign and tag other inspirational women with #AllYouAre, and they might just get their own interview as well. Their Contribution The team at X NIHILO have partnered with two amazing organisations that share their vision to empower women. The Malala Fund was founded by Pakistani female education activist Malala Yousafzai. The project supports girl's education projects in the most vulnerable communities across the globe. They seek to advocate for resources and policy changes, invest in developing country educations leaders and organisations and amplify girl's voices. Learn more about the Malala Fund
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AuthorI'm just an everyday girl with everyday musings. Archives |