#26 - Material Minimalism

I listened to a book a few years ago that changed my life for the better. This book gave me a new perspective on how I view “things.” That book is Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki.

I listened to the book on Audible, which is also a great streaming service, but for a later article. Anyway, during the first day of listening, I found myself giving away trash bags of useless things I had laying around my house. You know what? It felt amazing, like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Next, I found myself questioning whether I truly needed something before purchasing it. Something I still do to this day. I am here merely to suggest the book, as my words will not truly do it justice. I am fascinated with the idea of minimalism, as we live in a society full of MATERIALISM based on a false sense of insecurity.

Advertisements will tell you, “Buy our product, and see how your life will change for the better,” or “You won’t be happy until you have this in your home.”

Sound familiar?

The people creating these ads are doing this on purpose. It is a marketing strategy to get people to buy their product. It is a lie. They are feeding off your sense of self-worth like a leech sucking your blood. These ads are blasted in our face at every turn through TV, social media, and any media outlet for that matter. It is a lie.

Sure, there are awesome companies out there and some that I support. All I’m saying is do your own research beforehand and do not let these companies consume or destroy your sense of self based on a material object.