And you thought you wouldn’t use math after school. . .
Let me tell you two things about myself.
1. I am a math nerd
2. I am a budding minimalist
Number one is true. I’ve always liked numbers. I love the way they work the same for everyone. The way they connect people and ideas, crossing mountains and oceans to drive nearly every aspect of our world as we know it. Pretty hard not to love them. I’m currently majoring in Mathematics in college, and I relish the opportunity to work math lingo and logistics into any conversation (or blog post!) as well as an opportunity to procrastinate on my Advanced Calculus homework . . .
Now for number two, which is also true and is the inspiration for this post.
This year, I embarked on a journey. Facing a world of uncertainty and entering my twenties seemed like a good time to try a few things out, with “become a minimalist” an intimidating leader at the top of my to-do list. I have always been intrigued by minimalism- those aesthetic pictures of clean cupboards and desks in monochromatic spaces brandishing a number of items countable only on one hand. It seemed so practical and so smart. After a year’s worth of researching minimalism and trying to align myself with its ideals, I’ve learned that minimalism in its truest form is so much more than “owning less”. Minimalism is a way of life, a holistic approach to existence that keeps life simple. Having explored minimalism, I’ve found the potential for positive growth both now and in the future.
Minimalism is a way to gain clarity in your life. If you’re looking for a change of pace or even just a new challenge, I encourage you to look into minimalism. One does not “become a minimalist” overnight (bad news for those of us that like to cross things off our to-do list at day’s end). But rather one engages in a continual growth, a growth sustained by simplicity and intention. Since adopting a minimalist mindset, I have noticed in myself a great shift, a maturing of mind that has enabled me to develop stronger patience and tolerance, to observe, appreciate, and analyze the world around me, and to bring my heart and mind in synch by reassessing my values. That is not to say that minimalism is a cure all for the trials and hardships of life. Rather, minimalism is a mindset that enables one to approach these tribulations with grace, maturity, and perspective.
So, what about the whole “math” thing?
Well, explaining minimalism is a hefty task. What minimalism is or looks like for one person may look different from that of another. However, there are general principles that I postulate most minimalists would agree upon. In an effort to share the general findings from the beginning of my journey to minimalism with you, I turn to a language I am confident that all of you can relate to because of its universality: mathematics. Don’t worry finger-counters, you’ll be fine.*
Simplify:
When you see a complicated math expression, the first step is often to make it… well… less complicated. Combining like terms, reordering items, and drawing a picture are all ways to get the problem-solving process started. In the same way, living with a minimalist mindset requires simplification of life.
With the state of the world around us- busy and full of distraction and information at all times-it’s easy to lose track of who and what is important. Minimalism offers clarity. It minimizes those distractions, thereby freeing time, resources, and energy that can diverted to pursuing passions, meaningful relationships, and a better understanding of the self-in-world dynamic. The simplification process is certainly not the easiest task in the world, but an entirely worthwhile one.
Minimalism looks a little different for everyone. This makes sense, because no two people are the same. I’m offering my take on minimalism that is far from the extreme. I still own more than 10 shirts, and I certainly prefer the Honey Nut Cheerios to the regular ones. Some minimalists give up all their possessions and move off the grid, and I respect that. But I also believe that everyone can benefit, in attainable ways, from minimalism’s ideals.
The operations below outline the general guidelines I use (as a budding minimalist!) to make decisions in line with a focused, intentional life and a few examples from each category of what this might look like:
Operations:
Subtract: Remove distractions, bad energy, and elements of life that weigh you down.
Limiting social media usage
Getting rid of the “I’ll wear it some day” items in your closet
Channeling frivolous complaints into constructive thought (i.e. instead of complaining, think about how you would fix the situation if you were in charge; ask yourself “would I be able to do a better job”)
Reconsider hanging out with people who make you feel drained or unappreciated
Add: Seek out valuable additions to your daily routine.
Designating daily time for mindfulness journaling
Follow up with new friendships and acquaintances if you catch good vibes
Put more vegetables on your plate; go on a meditative walk
Be present in every experience; give active, genuine attention
Divide: Establish boundaries and prioritize where your time and energy go.
Separate your needs from wants; Make pros and cons lists
Set aside time for yourself and don’t feel guilty for it; Turning down plans is okay sometimes
Hold yourself and friends accountable for speech and actions; Maintain your integrity even when it goes against the grain
Balance school, work, social, fun, and self-time
Multiply: Repeat and invest deeper.
Discover what brings clarity for you and continue to do so
Periodically reassess values, interests, activities, relationships, goals, etc. Weekly journaling is a great option
Understand that small repetitions have big impact when forming new habits/ building a mindset
Verbally acknowledge, when possible, your feelings. This way, feelings (positive or negative) do not grow exponentially, unnoticed
To Sum it All Up
In a world that is anything but predictable, having a minimalist mindset aligned with a set of values makes processing the world and decision making far less daunting tasks than they appear at first glimpse. Minimalism channels your time and energy to the places they should be, while simplifying the world around you. It’s a lifestyle that is challenging yet rewarding.
This is far from a comprehensive guide to Minimalism, but, if anything I’ve written struck a chord with you, I recommend doing more research on it so you can make minimalism a part of your life. Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and The Minimalists’ resources are also a great place to start. The Minimalists have a podcast of the same name, and the episodes are insightful and very relatable. I’m currently reading a book by The Minimalists called Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works, and I couldn’t recommend it more.
Thank you so much for reading, come back soon.
~Katherine
*let the record show I still count on my fingers quite frequently 😂 😂 😂
Here’s me, HAPPY AS A CLAM, at the National Museum of Mathematics in NYC!
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