What is minimalism? “Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life’s most important things, which actually aren’t things at all.” Minimalism is a tool to eliminate life’s excess, focus on the essentials, and find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom (Minimalists, 26). Real happiness comes from who we are and from what and who we have become. On October 26, the University of Dayton Speaker Series and the Hanley Sustainability Institute sponsored the Minimalists. Dayton-raised duo, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, came to speak at the University, allowing the audience to experience what they really do, which is help people live more meaningful lives with less stuff. The duo reaches their 4 million
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Like Joshua, Ryan came from a family scattered with dysfunction. His mother too suffered from substance abuse and both came from divorced households. In high school, Ryan moved in with his father, a devote Jehovah Witness. He too climbed the corporate ladder, leading him to the American Dream. When he made it to the top, Ryan spent his money on lavish items and compulsive consumption. Ryan was ultimately trying to purchase happiness. After discovering his unhappiness with his job and life, Ryan turned to the religion of his childhood. He swore off drugs and worldly activities and quickly married his high school sweetheart. However, after 3 years of distrust, they divorced. He turned back to alcohol and drugs. After realizing their unhappiness with the way they were living, the pair reconnected. The pair joked that one day Ryan approached Joshua and asked, “Why the hell are you so happy.” It was because Joshua had minimalized his life. He had found what was truly important in his life. Joshua found that minimalism could lead to less stress, more calmness, and increased happiness. Ryan wanted in. Unlike Joshua who minimalized over a longer period of time, Ryan wanted quick results. The duo decided to pack up all of Ryan’s things like he was moving, and then over a period of three weeks, Ryan would only unpack what he absolutely needed. Each belonging should have function, serve a purpose, or bring joy. …show more content…
They both saw the positive effects of minimalism and wanted to share it with those around them. It is important to note that minimalism allows us to get ready for life’s most important things. Religion can be one of these important things. It can add value and joy to our lives. By taking away the consumption and reckless consumerism in our everyday lives, we are able to become more in tune with our relationships, including our relationship with God. Because our relationship with God requires selflessness and devotion, drowning this relationship with loads of stuff does not equate to true and utter happiness. It is possible for one to use pacifiers to mask the unhappiness, but through minimalism, we are able to acknowledge the relationships that bring us passion and meaningfulness. Leaving the life of stuff and “just in case” and devoting that happiness to God in a positive way would greatly benefit a life of
Like Joshua, Ryan came from a family scattered with dysfunction. His mother too suffered from substance abuse and both came from divorced households. In high school, Ryan moved in with his father, a devote Jehovah Witness. He too climbed the corporate ladder, leading him to the American Dream. When he made it to the top, Ryan spent his money on lavish items and compulsive consumption. Ryan was ultimately trying to purchase happiness. After discovering his unhappiness with his job and life, Ryan turned to the religion of his childhood. He swore off drugs and worldly activities and quickly married his high school sweetheart. However, after 3 years of distrust, they divorced. He turned back to alcohol and drugs. After realizing their unhappiness with the way they were living, the pair reconnected. The pair joked that one day Ryan approached Joshua and asked, “Why the hell are you so happy.” It was because Joshua had minimalized his life. He had found what was truly important in his life. Joshua found that minimalism could lead to less stress, more calmness, and increased happiness. Ryan wanted in. Unlike Joshua who minimalized over a longer period of time, Ryan wanted quick results. The duo decided to pack up all of Ryan’s things like he was moving, and then over a period of three weeks, Ryan would only unpack what he absolutely needed. Each belonging should have function, serve a purpose, or bring joy. …show more content…
They both saw the positive effects of minimalism and wanted to share it with those around them. It is important to note that minimalism allows us to get ready for life’s most important things. Religion can be one of these important things. It can add value and joy to our lives. By taking away the consumption and reckless consumerism in our everyday lives, we are able to become more in tune with our relationships, including our relationship with God. Because our relationship with God requires selflessness and devotion, drowning this relationship with loads of stuff does not equate to true and utter happiness. It is possible for one to use pacifiers to mask the unhappiness, but through minimalism, we are able to acknowledge the relationships that bring us passion and meaningfulness. Leaving the life of stuff and “just in case” and devoting that happiness to God in a positive way would greatly benefit a life of