The Intersection of Minimalism and Values
The essence of minimalism boils down to a simple question: What’s enough? It’s a beautiful question. It encourages a spirit of curiosity and gently asks us to search for balance. What do you need for your health and happiness? Where do you see excess and unnecessary waste, and where might there be deprivation? Answering that question takes a fair amount of self-awareness and a strong sense of your values.
Get in Touch with your Values: Values are deeply held beliefs that are important to us. They inform what we think is good or bad and desirable or undesirable. Surprisingly, we're not always fully aware or conscious of what our core values are. Below you'll find a list of values and a short exercise to help you begin or rediscover what your core values are.
STEP 1: Review all of the values listed and write in any that are missing at the bottom.
STEP 2: Write down all of the values that are important to you (ideally 20 or less)
STEP 3: Of those, cross out 5-10 values that feel less important than the others
STEP 4: Carefully consider what values are left. Circle (up to) 5 that are most important to you.
Our values become our north star, guiding our behavior and attitude as we walk through life. Bring more awareness to your core values allows you to make decisions that align with them.
Digital Minimalism
Minimalism is informed by our values. Once we're clear on our values we're able to assess our virtual life more critically. It becomes easier to notice where excess and deprivation exist and create changes in our lives that promote balance and intention.
This is called digital minimalism:"A philosophy of technology use in which you focus your online time on a small number of carefully selected and optimized activities that strongly support things you value, and then happily miss out on everything else." - Cal Newport
Create Your Digital Philosophy
If you haven't yet, identify your 5 core values. Take some time to reflect on whether your digital and virtual life align with those values. Then draft your own digital philosophy. Write it down and put it somewhere visible in your home.
