Pursuing True Happiness

Becoming a minimalist has made me the happiest I’ve ever been.

But it’s a happiness that is unlike consumerism happiness. It’s one of satisfaction, peace, and fulfillment. This is because a minimalistic lifestyle extricated me from the rat race. There is no keeping up with Joneses and no desire to have a lifestyle merely to impress others.

This happiness comes from simplifying, doing what I love, and doing it to benefit myself and those around me. How can I not be happy when I live this way? Instead of a “purchasing” lifestyle, I live with a purpose in the joy of owning – and doing – less, and am also being intentional by adding in things that help me.

Having been a minimalist since 2017, here’s a list of 10 things I have done and continue to do that have made me happy.

1. Cut the cord (lessen TV, lessen social media)

This is probably the biggest issue which is why it’s first. Nothing like advertising to tell you what you “really need,” right? I’ve found that I don’t need anything other than what I already have. To facilitate this ideal, I watch less television, delete apps, and strive to limit my time on social media. I’ve done this and it has made a world of difference. You can’t yearn for what you don’t know about! (Trust me, you don’t need it anyway.)

2. Brew coffee from home

That first sip? Nothing like it. The fact that I can brew that cup of coffee for ten cents? Even better. Skip the cafe. Brew your coffee. Make fewer trips to the coffee shop and savor that coffee from your kitchen. The best part? With every morning you do this, you save five bucks!

3. Thrift instead of buying new

Have you tried this? I have and it changes the way I look at “stuff.” I almost can’t pay retail anymore for anything because I know it’s available for a fraction of the cost at my local thrift store. Of course, some purchases need to be new. But, for everything else, try thrifting for a few months. See how much money you save. Re-use and recycle. You’ll thank your thrifty ways when your costs shrink and your savings grow.

4. Read

I shouldn’t need to mention this, but I read a study a while back that said 5% of people only read one book a year, and about 50% read no books at all. So if you read more than two books a year, you’re in the top half of readers! How devastating. Reading (instead of television, movies or social media) is enlightening, eye-opening, and educational… the list goes on and on. Create new brain cells rather than killing the ones we already have (from mind-melting television). By shutting off the noise and putting your nose in a book, your world will open up to you – as big as you want it to be.

5. Exercise daily

This doesn’t mean you need to spend hours exercising. A simple thirty minutes of movement – whether it’s a walk or bike ride – can change your mood for the better, strengthen your body, and give you energy. A healthy life is a happy life. Being strong, having balance, and keeping exercise a part of your daily routine will get you there.

6. Talk to someone different every day

Whether it’s your neighbor, a friend, or a family neighbor, try talking to someone different every day – even if that means texting or calling someone you haven’t in a while. Connection is vital for a thriving life. Surround yourself with your community. Tell others how much you miss and love them, and that joy comes right back to you.

7. Clean out a drawer or closet every week

As a minimalist, this goes without saying really. Despite my minimalist lifestyle, I still acquire excess things over a year. So, I still donate or give away items I don’t use. I love giving things I own – that I no longer want to own – to other people. Even things I love, that I know someone else may love more, makes me want to give that item to them. Give and give some more. It’s so much fun!

8. Work a job you love

I suppose this is an obvious one, but try to find work that stimulates you and brings satisfaction. Those two things will breed more happiness. I write and sell vintage clothing online. Those are my two passions that bring me much happiness. It may sound cliche, but my work never feels like work because I love doing it. And that’s what it’s all about: do what you love and happiness will follow.

9. Keep a gratitude journal

This can upend your world (in the best way). When I started to keep track of all of the good – if not miraculous – things that happen to me every day, it made me see how ungrateful I had become. Gratitude becomes appreciation and appreciation becomes thanks. And thankfulness leads to true happiness.

10. Pay off your debt

Debt will quite literally suck the life out of you. My husband and I have made it a choice to pay off all of our debts. It took years to accomplish, but by paying off one small debt at a time, we don’t have credit card debt, or car payments, and are in the process of paying off our mortgage. Is there anything more satisfying than being debt-free? That ball and chain is gone.

These are all simple things. But when I began to do them, adding them into my life one by one (and eliminating what needed to go), I realized how enchanted my life was. These small actions have led to big happy results. And now, I don’t want to live any other way.

My happiness is complete.

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About the Author: Heather Spiva is a freelance writer from Northern California with a penchant for minimalism, vintage clothing, and coffee. When she’s not writing, she’s reading. Her husband and two grown sons are the loves of her life.