Bygones

Prior to embracing minimalism, I assumed that minimalism was just all about letting go in hopes of receiving something “abstract”. It took me a while but eventually I realised that minimalism isn't about deprivation but is about intentional and conscious living.

Over the years, I've cultivated a mindset that allows me to let go of anything that seems disturbing or would seem disturbing in the future. Along with this mindset comes the ability to see things or even people for what/ who they truly are, making it easier to let go from the jump.

I was accompanied home last week by a close friend only to meet one of my little cousins. She was just so active and happy and I loved that about her. In a bid to freshen up after a long day, I walked into my room and the cousin was right behind me, rambling on. The friend I got back home with was surprised because her sister, who happened to be the same age as my cousin, barely ever talked. Eventually, the cousin gave us some space.

A few hours passed before the cousin returned to see me placing my phone on a teddy bear while reading an ebook.

“Oh aunty! I love your teddy bear. Can I have it?” Was all she said and the next minute I was handing the teddy bear over to her. A few years back, I would have never even dreamt of releasing the teddy bear so easily because it was one of the many teddy bears I got as a gift but I did, with no hesitation.

The friend who was lying down beside me had tried intervening when I handed the teddy bear over because she knew how much I cherish gifts from friends but at that moment, all I could think about was the fact that “I cherish this gift enough to give it to someone who would take better care of it”. This thought came to mind because the teddy bear was just playing the role of a bed stand and a fun reminder of a distant birthday. The good thing is, I took a few pictures of this teddy bear and if I ever want to remember any fond memories, I could easily do that.

Although it may not seem like it, letting go has never been an easy task for me. I'm an individual who lies to keep even the most trivial of things as far as they hold some form of memories. For over a decade, I had this box that contained clips of all my fun, not-so-fun and even heartbreaking memories from high school. This box was neatly tucked into one corner in my room until I decided to let bygones be bygones.

This brings me to #kiss question for this week which can be found here. One aspect of my non-minimalistic past that I miss is the ability to hold on tightly to even the most trivial but memorable items. By trivial I mean pieces of papers, random wooden sticks, lovely looking pebbles and even Jewelleries weathered by the ages.

One trick I use to let go so easily is a few minutes or even seconds of contemplation. During this period I think of the importance an item holds and how often I used or even come in contact with such an item. Would this item be just another thing taking up space or is it something that would simplify my existence. If my answer doesn't point to the item simplifying my existence in one way or another, I simply do away with it and if the item has some form of significance, like in the case of the teddy bear, I create a digital memory before doing away with it.

^{Images belong to me.}

Liebe🤍