◊ By Upasna Sethi

Visit ORGANIC SHOP by Pure & Eco India

Minimalist lifestyle isn’t a new concept. Certainly not in India.

Philosophers in the past have preached and promoted this lifestyle time and again, ie, living maximally with the minimum stuff.

It was effortless in the past due to lack of resources but now with increased purchasing power, endorsements and social media, it has become a challenge.

Practising Minimalism in India has become difficult due to certain reasons:

• We have a habit of buying and collecting things in the name of future needs.
• We blindly follow the advertisements that are targeted to make us buy more and believe that more number of things means more happiness.
• We celebrate every occasion by bringing more stuff home.

We are always buying something or planning to buy a new thing. Don’t you feel that we have reached the saturation?

Now it’s time to make a comeback and to learn the Art of Life where less is more. All we need is to change our approach, which of course, needs patience as it is not going to happen overnight.

I came across the word minimalism in December 2016 and it fascinated me.

The first thing I did before embarking on this journey was ask myself why I wanted to live a Minimalist lifestyle.

The answer that came:

I want to focus on my passion but all my stuff is a hurdle.

I want to make the environment clean and safe for future generations but my purchasing habits are a problem.

I want to have the freedom to raise my kids without giving up on my dreams but my dissatisfactory job is a hindrance.

And thus began my quest towards a more minimalist but more fulfilling journey.

The more I delved into it, the more my path became clearer and simpler. Although it was not easy but I have brought so many changes in the last 3-4 years and I would love to share them with those of you who’re interested in the subject.

HOW I LIVE NOW AS A MINIMALIST

I do not shop out of boredom or as a mood elevator

Mall culture was new and alluring to our generation in India and I was one who loved going out for shopping every now and then but now, I only shop if there is an actual and current requirement.

I do not shop to lift my mood.

I do not shop out of boredom.

I do not visit supermarkets without a list in hand

I do not go to a supermarket without a list of the items I need and they always exclude chips, sodas, sugar-laden juices and other ready-to-eat processed products.

I have reduced my waste by segregating and composting

India accounts for 12% of global municipal solid waste generation. The best way to reduce landfills is to reduce our waste and segregate it correctly before it gets picked up.

I segregate my waste into 2 parts-

Recyclable materials, including plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, batteries, and other electronic waste.

Food waste

I have switched to eco-friendly products

I have ditched disposable sanitary pads and disposable diapers as they are chemical-treated and contain micro plastics. I have used cloth diapers for my second child. Also, I am using a menstrual cup since more than a year now, which is not only eco-friendly but also pocket-friendly.

I cut down my plastics by 90%

I do not buy zip-locks but I store and pack my food in steel containers. I replaced aluminium foil with baking paper. I do not buy chemical cleaners. I stopped buying plastic straws. I am using bamboo comb, bamboo ear buds and bamboo toothbrush.

I stopped buying shampoo and soap in plastic bottles. I do not buy milk packets but buy directly from a milkman (and they too use steel containers). I do not buy curd and yogurt in plastic containers.

I do not use a credit card

I always believe in only spending the money we have already earned and not using credit for our wants or luxuries even if it means having slightly outdated gadgets, hand-me-down furniture and pre-loved clothes.

I keep the kids away from consumerist culture

We prefer parks over malls.

We prefer open air gyms and swings over gaming arenas.

We visit museums and religious places rather than go out for a movie as I do not prefer taking small children to the theatre with jarring sounds and lighting effects.

We do not eat out every now and then but occasionally.

I quit my job to follow my passion

I always wanted to pursue a career that gives me satisfaction, joy and purpose and aligns with my eco-conscious side but my corporate job was not anything close to my goal. So after being part of the corporate grid for 10 years, I finally quit my job to find my true passion and work towards my real goal.

Minimalism is not about adding. It’s about subtracting.

Subtracting the stuff that doesn’t give you joy, subtracting the chores that rob you of precious energy and time, subtracting the commitments that are not fruitful.

So, are you ready to make a comeback?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author is the host of India’s first minimalist podcast, Comeback Minimalist.

She speaks about the environment, sustainability and Minimalism as a way to personal freedom and fulfilment.