Embracing Minimalism: How I Found Freedom with Minimalism

In recent times, issues, like depleted natural resources, economic crises, and now pandemics, dominate our agenda. What contributions does adopting a minimalist lifestyle offer in response?

Many of us have begun to increase our awareness. Some conserve water and electricity, others recycle, and some embrace minimalism by donating unused items and carefully managing expenses. Yet, whether aware or not, many still hesitate to take any action.

Personally, I started contributing by adopting a minimalist lifestyle. My journey with minimalism began in early 2018 when we decided to relocate countries. Sorting through our packed belongings, discarding and donating numerous items, I began questioning why I had consumed so much throughout my life:

• • How much of my wardrobe had I worn?

• • How frequently did I wear my clothes?

• • How long had the food stocked in my mom’s freezer been waiting to be consumed?

• • Did I pay attention to the expiration dates of my skincare/makeup products or did I buy new ones before finishing the old ones?

• • Were the many accessories more of a burden than a source of joy?

• • Did I buy furniture, curtains, rugs… for their functionality or out of tradition?

This list could go on. In essence, I realized we need to determine whether the things we own are truly indispensable or merely excess.

Moving Story

Home @Düsseldorf

Early 2018. Emre’s college plans in Toronto were set. We had already begun bidding farewell to our families and friends. Alongside this emotional journey—though I would realize this a year later—was the practical concern of what to do with hundreds of belongings.

Since we were renting out our home, we needed to empty it completely. Initially considering storage units, we discarded furniture and electronics we had used for 6-7 years, uncertain if they would be in the same condition upon our return (not that a return was guaranteed).

Our first task was photographing our belongings and listing them on sites like sahibinden.com and letgo.com.

Now looking back, seeing our belongings—excluding kitchenware and some valued items—gradually vacating the house didn’t sadden me. Perhaps because I hadn’t formed a deep attachment.

Purging Process

So far, there was nothing abnormal. We had already gotten rid of the large items.

The real challenge lay in parting with accessories that we couldn’t let go of due to their sentimental value, accumulated cartoon magazines (which I considered to be a collection), some received as gifts, some brought as part of a dowry, some simply because they seemed beautiful—filling our home with accessories, dishes, cups, and saucers, often thinking they might come in handy someday. Truth be told, my kitchen utensils were something I still couldn’t give up, and I missed them in Toronto too. They weren’t just any items; they were the ones I found myself needing, providing a bit of a sense of belonging in the furnished home, matching my needs in terms of color, pattern, and shape. Fortunately, I had brought along my American dinner sets from Paşabahçe, which wouldn’t weigh down my suitcase but would make me happy every time we ate.

We left most of my kitchen items in open boxes at the front of the site without throwing them away. By the time we left the next box, the previous one had already gone. There were so many who needed them. In our hustle and bustle, we missed noticing lives we didn’t realize. Perhaps they experienced the happiness of serving their evening meals on proper plates.

We planned to bag up some of our clothes and drop them off in recycling bins designated for clothing. Before we could even get them into the bins, a few people came up to us wanting to look inside our bags. I remember being overwhelmed with emotion.

Bidding Farewell to Unused Items

In summary, as we continued our adventure from Toronto to Düsseldorf, we decided once again not to engage in unnecessary shopping for dishes and utensils. On our first trip, just three hours away in Turkey, we opened the packages left for my family and took some of them. We don’t even need the rest. Although I told my mom to give the remaining ones to those in need, I’m sure she’ll continue to keep them, thinking we’ll return 🙂

When it comes to clothes and shoes, whenever we buy new ones, we continue to get rid of the old ones. Our wardrobe here in Turkey is nearly half the size of the one back home and more than sufficient. I especially love folding and arranging clothes using the KonMari method, especially when there are plenty of drawers.

• • The KonMari folding method

As for the accessories I brought home, 99% are houseplants. I brought these Paşabahçe glass objects with me because they evoke beautiful feelings in me. I think they’ll stay with me wherever I go for the rest of my life.

Paşabahçe glass objects (photo)

I’m a Minimalist, and I’m Happy

So, what conclusion did I draw from all these minimalist efforts? Starting my next month in debt in Turkey, I’m now paying off my mortgage and able to save money. And I never shy away from buying products that make my life easier.

I realized the importance of the food my mom stocked in my freezer. Knowing that I always have ready-to-cook pulses puts me at ease and simplifies my day.

I believe it’s worth thanking and bidding farewell to that pile of items, continuing on your journey with what makes you happy and peaceful…

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