Minimalism & Mid Year Reset
「 What would it mean to wake up and live on purpose again? 」
At the start of the year, I thought I already knew what I wanted, but now I realize that I’ve drifted away. Then, along the way I discovered a new fear of mine, I tried to overcome it only to realize I ended up questioning what even is my purpose in this life? Have I found the meaning I was always looking for?
It all goes on a downward spiral until I remember this book by Viktor E. Frankl, that was recommended to me almost a decade ago. You know, I give out that vibe that I was scrambling for meaning. The book, while it exactly tells you what meaning is, didn’t really register to me. Not until just a few days.
It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life—daily and hourly. Our answer must consist, not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual.”
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
Somewhere along the way, this year for the first time ever I stopped living based on my own personal meaning rather than what my family or environment expects of me. Then, I got tired of all of it because that exposed me to the horrors I have long worked to avoid.
When you’re living in an auto-pilot mode, life becomes a bit dull, and you no longer see/feel there is something to live for.
This is why just as I mentioned over my intro to july, I want to be living more mindfully and intentionally. For once, I want to be more conscious of my actions, choices and even as simple of remembering the day and date.
Because for once, this was all attainable. Throughout my years of choosing this lifestyle, there were moments when I had that “ well, this is it, the meaning of my life”. While I might be seemingly odd or overly over the top to someone, that life gives me more space to breathe, and a lot more clarity and more reason to wake up every morning.
These days, Saturday always invites reflection for me. It’s the day of the week I choose to sit still with my own thoughts after reading some scriptures. This week specifically, I am learning to redirect the ship of my life to actually do my own wisdom, my own set of habits I set out a long time ago that fell apart. I wrote countless and countless thoughts on reflection, minimalism and only to find that sometimes, they all fell apart. Maybe this is what we call life, just another day striving to be a better version of ourselves, falling apart, and trying all over again.
Maybe there were parts of me that have integrated so well with this lifestyle that I feel it’s just something ordinary. However, I am sure, there are more new things and habits of minimalism I could cultivate again before this year ends. Anyhow, I will have to tell you all about what will be changed next week.
In every step of our lives, we have to change many minimal things, and many things come automatically. No matter how much we want to improve something, to keep something in our lives, we still have to move forward by minimizing everything.
That's basically it, by minimizing everything we can move forward a lot more lightly.
If these two are different, then that is bad.
At least your family should be supportive.
And everyone should live how they like, and not what others are expecting from them.
If you no longer see/feel that there is something to live for, then that is not auto-pilot mode, but depression and dysthymia (the chronic, long lasting form of depression).
I know, because I was diagnosed with dysthymia as a child, and I lived like that for years. There was no real happiness in my life, and I was not interested in nothing.
Findig true love, true happiness, generally something to live for does not necessarily require any of this. You can do that on auto-pilot mode too, if you know what it is. Maybe a technical hobby/lifestyle, maybe living with an animal. Either way, there are many beautiful things, and I really hope that you will find what makes you actually truly happy. Something that you love. Something that you live for.
Perhaps you should adopt a pet. I've seen folks recover from worst when they start sharing their emotional space with something or someone🥰
If everything is good, then it should rather be a companion animal, which is rather a family member than a pet.
You will love the animal more than many people love their child.
And I write this from experience.
I experienced this with Harris's hawks.
I actually have technical hobby/lifestyle and even live with plenty cats 😆 and there were moments in life when I couldn't find meaning. Life is strange isn't it? But I am sure, one day I will find it 😊 Have a great week ahead!
Everyone is different.
Everyone see/find/experience love, enjoyment and meaning in different things.
And I am certain that you will also find the meaning too.
The greatest is probably love. True, real, actual love.
Also have a great week.
Ah the integration of personality is always a tough process. Very thoughtful and kind of you to share your experiences and thoughts. Also glad you're using @commentrewarder it is an amazing tool for growth on hive. Have started using it recently...🥰
I've been using it quite a while actually. It's a great tool to also reward those who commented in our posts.
Perhaps you too should try adopting a pet or a tulpa...
High five! I realised I also spend most of my Saturdays reflecting on stuff, be it my life, or some random thoughts. It's my "me time" slot. Hehe.
Hehehehe we definitely need that me time a lot😊 and Saturdays are great for that.
I like what you've said about the purpose of life and the importance of really finding ourselves and doing what is authentic to each of our own, and not what society dictates. I've been doing much reflection recently, and I acknowledged that even though the pieces are taking time to fall into place, at least, I'm doing and living life 'my way' - doing nothing mainstream and what makes me truly happy and purposeful.
That's a powerful and rewarding tool that not many care for.
All the best wishes as you push through and find and rediscover your evolving self. 💜
Living our life based on our purpose and meaning is definitely more rewarding than following the mainstream way. Honestly after writing this, I discover that I just want to really live more intentionally and minimalistically as I had been for many years when I was living alone.
I can relate to that, and I feel like I would experience the same if I ever had to go back to living with my mum. She's a maximalist!
That line about living mindfully, even just remembering the date, YES. I used to ignore those small things too, but now they matter so much more.
Hehehe those smaller things matter more and when you realize it,they make up a biggest part of our life.
A student once gave me an answer about the meaning of life that I sometimes think is correct: "the meaning of life is to be born, do what you want and how you want and, finally, die, free will is the basis, no one has purposes, we mentally create something to which we cling."
I believe that the best way to live is through goals, setting goals that will keep you moving forward. There will be countless situations that will try to take you away from your main purpose, the way you deal with and overcome everything is what makes life enjoyable. Building your own style of living in the midst of adversity is difficult, family is a big barrier, it is common for family to try to shape your life, like, our family has always done this or that way. Living by your principles is complex.
I agree though, setting goals help us quite a bit in discovering what we really want. And definitely, living by our principles is complex but it can be rewarding.
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BEER.I agree with you, "living in automatic is very boring", besides we are not here to please others, but to leave a mark with our essence, do what we are passionate about and look for creativity in the simple, looking at nature always helps me to relax, there is a lot of inspiration there.
We all have a purpose, we just have to focus and look around us, appreciate the small details and push our personal plans, always in search of well-being and peace of mind.
It's a good decision you've made to live mindfully. Life is short abs is worth living to the fullest.
Sometimes life can be a little confusing, we feel that we do not know where to go or what destiny has in store for us, I think that we have to live life one day at a time, looking to explore new things, the meaning is given to our way of interpreting how to live it, or at least that's how I see it.
It is always necessary to reboot, one needs to empty oneself of all the negative charge one has on oneself, product of bad thoughts or other people's vibes. It is necessary to reflect and focus on what makes us happy, only by cultivating a healthy mind we will be able to achieve the goals we want in life.
Success to you.
Your choice is a nice one, seriously
Keep it up
@macchiata, I paid out 1.587 HIVE and 0.348 HBD to reward 9 comments in this discussion thread.