What is Minimalism and how does it work? Samuel Gavilán tells us in this interview

Minimalism is a lifestyle

Minimalism is a lifestyle that focuses on having only what is essential and getting rid of unnecessary things. It is about simplifying life and concentrating on what really matters, whether in terms of material possessions or personal activities and relationships.

The idea is to live in a more conscious and satisfying way.

The idea is to live in a more conscious and fulfilling way, enjoying the peace of mind and freedom that comes from having less stuff. In this interview with Samuel Gavilán, he talks about how minimalism and a minimalist lifestyle can be beneficial for mental health. By getting rid of unnecessary things and simplifying your life, you can reduce the amount of stress and daily worries.

It can also increase a sense of control and organization, and provide more time and energy to focus on the things that really matter and bring happiness and satisfaction. However, it is important to keep in mind that minimalism is not a magic solution for all mental health problems, and each person must assess whether this lifestyle is right for them and how to implement it in a balanced and conscious way.

The origins of Minimalism

Minimalism emerged as an artistic movement in the 1950s and 1960s in New York, USA. It was a response to the excessive aesthetics and ornamentation of abstract art and decorative art being produced at the time. Minimalist artists wanted to simplify the form and aesthetics of their artwork, and created pieces that focused on form, color and basic texture.

Minimalism also spread to architecture and design, and became a philosophy of life as more and more people began to adopt minimalist practices in their daily lives. Today, minimalism has become a global movement that encompasses many aspects of life, from clothing and home to technology and food.

Minimalism has its roots in art and design, but has evolved to become a global philosophy of life that advocates simplicity, sustainability and the reduction of stress and anxiety in an increasingly fast-paced world.

The rise of Minimalism

There is no exact figure available on the number of people practicing minimalism worldwide, as it is not a formally organized practice and accurate records are not kept. However, it is a philosophy of life that has gained popularity in recent years, and it is estimated that an increasing number of people are adopting minimalist practices in their lives. This is partly due to a growing awareness of the importance of simplicity and sustainability, as well as the need to reduce stress and anxiety in an increasingly fast-paced world. In short, it is difficult to determine the exact number of people practicing minimalism, but it is estimated to be an increasingly popular practice worldwide.

What happens in your brain when you buy something?

Buying things can have several effects on the brain. Here are some of them:

1. Dopamine release: Shopping can release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of pleasure. This can cause the purchase to become a kind of reward and the person feels a temporary improvement in mood.
2. Identity reinforcement: Buying things can help reinforce a person’s identity and sense of self-worth. This is because the things we buy can be seen as an extension of ourselves and as a way of communicating our personality and values to others.
3. Anxiety and stress: Although shopping can produce a temporary sense of pleasure, it can also increase anxiety and stress in the long run. This can occur when the person realizes that he or she cannot afford a major expense or when he or she feels overwhelmed by the amount of things he or she owns.
4. Vicious circle of shopping: Shopping can become a difficult habit to break and can lead to a vicious circle of buy-guilt-buy. This can be especially detrimental for people who have spending control issues or who are prone to shopping addiction.

Overall, shopping for things can be a mixed experience that can have both positive and negative effects on a person’s brain and life. It is important to be aware of how shopping affects oneself and try to find a healthy balance between enjoying shopping and avoiding falling into unhealthy patterns.

Buy to feel good

Buying things in the hope of feeling better is a common phenomenon, but it can often have a temporary effect and may not solve the underlying problems that are causing emotional distress. Compulsive buying may be a way to evade negative emotions or to seek a temporary solution to deeper problems, but it often ends up creating more financial and emotional problems in the long run.

In addition, constant shopping can make us feel dissatisfied and constantly look for more things to make us feel better, creating an endless cycle of shopping and discontent. Instead of seeking happiness through the acquisition of things, it is important to look for more lasting and meaningful solutions to improve our emotional well-being.

Minimalism can be a useful alternative to break this cycle. By limiting the amount of stuff we have and consciously choosing which things are really important to us, we can reduce the anxiety and stress associated with accumulating things and learn to value what really matters in life.

In short, buying things to feel better may have a temporary effect, but it can often lead to more problems in the long run. Practicing minimalism can help break this cycle and improve our emotional well-being in the long run.

Buy to get rid of the discomfort

Shopping as a way to combat discomfort or anxiety may be a common behavior, but in the long term it may not be an effective solution and can have negative consequences. Shopping temporarily may release dopamine and produce a feeling of pleasure, but this effect is usually temporary and may be followed by increased anxiety or guilt if the person cannot afford the expense or if he or she feels overwhelmed by the amount of things he or she owns.

Instead of resorting to shopping as a solution to discomfort, it is better to look for other ways to manage it, such as meditation, exercise, time with friends and family, or activities that produce a sense of personal accomplishment.

The stress of having

Having too much stuff can lead to worry and stress. Often, we accumulate items we don’t need or no longer use, which can lead to a sense of overload. In addition, maintaining a cluttered home or workspace can be difficult and require a great deal of time and energy to clean and organize.

Minimalism seeks to simplify life and reduce the amount of stuff we have, which can help relieve the stress and anxiety associated with having too much stuff. By consciously choosing which things to keep and which to discard, we can create a more organized and harmonious space that can be a refuge from stress and worry.

At the end of the day, having too much stuff can create stress and worry, but practicing minimalism can help release that tension and improve our quality of life.

Shopping and Low Self-Esteem

There is a relationship between excessive shopping and low self-esteem. Often, people buy things in an attempt to improve their self-image or increase their sense of self-esteem, but in reality, this can have the opposite effect. Excessive buying can lead to the accumulation of debt and financial problems, which can increase anxiety and stress and further decrease self-esteem.

In addition, excessive shopping may be a way to evade underlying problems or to seek a temporary solution to deeper emotional problems. By focusing on acquiring things rather than directly addressing these problems, self-esteem can continue to decline.

Conversely, practicing minimalism and limiting purchases can help improve self-esteem. By consciously choosing which things to keep and which to discard, we can feel greater control over our lives and a sense of authority over our decisions. This can lead to greater self-confidence and improved self-esteem.

Clearly there is a link between excessive shopping and low self-esteem, but practicing minimalism can help improve self-esteem by simplifying life and reducing the anxiety and stress associated with accumulating stuff.

The benefits of Minimalism

Minimalism is a philosophy of life that focuses on simplicity and eliminating unnecessary things from everyday life. As more and more people adopt this lifestyle, many have discovered a number of surprising advantages. Here are some of the most common benefits people make by adopting a minimalist lifestyle:

1. Increased mental clarity: When unnecessary things are eliminated from our lives, we are left with more space to think and focus on what is really important. This can help reduce anxiety and stress and increase mental clarity and decision-making ability.
2. Better quality of life: By freeing ourselves from the burden of having to manage and maintain a large number of things, it is possible to have more time to do the things that really matter to us. This can improve our quality of life and increase our overall satisfaction.
3. Greater financial freedom: By adopting a minimalist approach to shopping, it is possible to save money and avoid impulse spending. This can increase financial freedom and allow us to reach our long-term goals more easily.
4. Improved relationships: By focusing on the things that really matter in life, it is possible to improve relationships with friends, family and partners. This is because minimalism allows us to devote more time and attention to the people who really matter in our lives.
5. Increased awareness of environmental impacts: By adopting a minimalist lifestyle, it is possible to be more conscious of the environmental impacts of our daily purchases and habits. This can lead to a greater awareness of the importance of sustainability and a greater commitment to protecting the environment.

Overall, there are many exciting discoveries to be made by adopting a minimalist lifestyle. From increased mental clarity to improvements in relationships and greater awareness of environmental impacts, minimalism can have a positive impact on many aspects of life. If you’re interested in trying minimalism, it’s an exciting avenue to explore!

Practicing minimalism to feel free

Minimalism and a sense of freedom are closely related. By simplifying our lives and limiting the amount of things we have, we can free up energy and resources to focus on what really matters in life. By having fewer things that require our attention and care, we can enjoy a greater sense of freedom and autonomy.

In addition, minimalism can help free us from the social and cultural pressure to accumulate things and follow the latest trends. By consciously choosing what things are really important to us, we can live according to our values and priorities, rather than feeling obligated to follow the expectations of others.

On the other hand, minimalism can also help free us from the anxiety and financial stress associated with accumulating stuff. By having less stuff, we are less likely to feel overwhelmed by debt and financial responsibilities, allowing us to enjoy a greater sense of freedom and control over our lives.

In short, the relationship between minimalism and a sense of freedom is strong, as minimalism can help free us from the social, emotional and financial pressure to accumulate things and focus on what really matters in life.

Start practicing minimalism

Here are some tips to start practicing minimalism:

1. Define your goals: Consider why you want to adopt a minimalist lifestyle and what you hope to achieve. Write down your goals and keep them handy to motivate you along the way.
2. Make an assessment of your possessions: Make a list of everything you own and sort it into categories such as “frequent use,” “occasional use,” and “not used.” Get rid of things you don’t use or that don’t bring you value or happiness.
3. Start with small steps: You don’t need to get rid of everything all at once. Start by getting rid of the easiest things and work on specific categories as you feel more comfortable.
4. Adopt a mindful approach: Try to be mindful of your purchases and how much you buy. Think about whether you really need something before you buy it.
5. Find a balance: Minimalism does not mean having only a couple of things or living in an empty space. It’s about finding a balance between having what you need and not accumulating unnecessary things.

Don’t believe anything you just read, experience Minimalism and think for yourself.

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