Happiness tip: when your words match your actions

I’ve been a minimalist for years now... and I love it.
 
Now, I’m not a militant, “don’t-own-anything” kind of person.
 
I just feel better with less clutter around me. And I prefer to spend money on activities rather than things.

So when I saw a Facebook post recently looking for “self-professed minimalists” to help with a university study, I happily signed up.
 
The study involved being interviewed at your house.
 
I was super excited to take part, and then I looked around at my apartment.
 
Oh.
 
Eek!
 
I realized – very quickly - that I wasn’t living a minimalist lifestyle any more.
 
Now this was understandable, as we’ve just had a baby, but it also explained why I’d been feeling so unsettled…
 
So frenetic.
 
Because I wasn’t in living in line with what I said I was.
 
I wasn’t living as a minimalist.
 
Quite the opposite, in fact!
 
We had stuff everywhere! :)
 
And this, for me, is one of the key factors of happiness: living as who you say you are.
 
Or, more simply: when your words match your actions.
 
(And when they BOTH match what’s in your heart.)
 
Realizing this really spurred me on.
 
So I turned out clothes I don’t wear any more; tidied and stored items; and our apartment is back on track…
 
Space. Free. Unnecessary items gone.
 
Ahhh…!
 
And it got me thinking: how often does this happen? How often do we describe ourselves one way, but act a different way?
 
Don’t get me wrong – it’s easy to do!
 
But it’s worth thinking about:

• If you say you have no time to do the things you love, then sign up for a committee you don’t really want to be on, what does that tell you?

 

• If you say you hate your job but do nothing about it, what does that tell you?

 

• If you say you want to be an artist but haven’t sketched in years, what does that tell you?

 
I get it. It’s tricky.
 
But quite often, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s because our words and actions aren’t in line.
 
So what can you do today so your words match your actions?

1. If you want to travel but don’t have the money for it, could you cancel those magazine subscriptions and set up a travel fund to contribute to each month?
   
   
2. If you feel pulled in all directions and don’t have time for the things you love, could you say no to at least one thing this week?
   
   
3. If you want more creativity in your life but don’t have a creative job, could you organize a weekly drawing club at work?
   
   
4.  If you want to be minimalist, is there one corner in your home you could declutter?

 
Those are just quick examples I made up.
 
But when I looked around and realized my minimalist lifestyle had gone out the window, I felt relief.
 
Because the problem had been diagnosed. (I’m not living as I say I do.)
 
And then I could move towards a solution. (Get back to being a minimalist!)
 
And I could take actions in the direction my heart wanted to go. (Donate those items you don't use.)
 
How about you... are you living as you want to?
 
If not, what needs to change?

Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear!
 
Sending love and high fives for a wonderful day :)
 
Claire

PS - A few pics from my clutter-free space!