Minimalist Life – 7 life-changing habits that cost nothing

Humans have spent years and millions of dollars building robots and automating processes in a hope that it would free up some precious time for humans to enjoy the freedom to do anything they love. The sad irony is that this generation, with all the convenience of having every essential need fulfilled with a touch of a fingertip, is probably leading the most robotic lives ever in the history of humankind.

We have forgotten to slow down, to take a breath, to really live. When was the last time you paused to feel the wind in your hair, or to enjoy the melodious chirping of a bird or just sit in absolute silence watching the world go by? Each day starts with us rushing to get to the next pitstop for the day. We navigate from one stop to another, mindlessly eating, interacting along the way, all at the same time worried about reaching the next pitstop to finish the next thing that needs to be done. We do this every single day of our lives, with no destination in sight. But it keeps us going, because we believe that something incredible waits for us in the next stop.

Once she stopped rushing through life, she was amazed how much more life she had time for.
- Unknown

I’ve had a similar life too, so I am not here to say that we are doing it wrong. We are doing it the only way we know how to, and that’s perfectly fine. What I want to stress on however is that in this monotonously busy life, we can attempt to bring in some joy by making time for things that make us truly happy. Can we give our mind and bodies a break from tirelessly running while sincerely trying to meet every expectation we have set for it each day?

My journey of living a slow and intentional life has helped me introduce some very simple but effective changes in my daily life and I want to share them with you all.

1. Sit with your silence

This is the most powerful habit I have introduced in my day, and I regret not starting earlier. Sitting for 10-15 minutes in absolute silence, with only your thoughts running, or having a conversation with yourself is such a purifying experience. Use this time for positive affirmations, visualise how you want your day to progress and see yourself breezing through the day like a superstar. Smile, give yourself a hug and tell yourself that you are exactly where you need to be.  

2. Write down gratitude

You can do this as an extension of the previous activity, where you write down 1 thing you are grateful for. Could be something you are looking forward to, or some thing you have now that you did not have a year ago, or a memory that makes you smile. This simple activity has been scientifically proven to help us disconnect from negativity, reduce stress and increase our overall satisfaction in life.

3. Get to know yourself

I do this before I go to sleep each night. I sit on my bed with my eyes closed and reflect on the thoughts I had that day. Were they optimistic making me more confident? Or were they filled with fear, anxiety or any other toxic thought that helped me in no way?

This self-reflection has helped me significantly in discovering that I used to spend a lot of my time doubting my capabilities at work or my self-worth in general and has given me the opportunity to actively work on being more constructive. Being aware of your thoughts is such a compelling tool to channel your energy in the right and most positive direction.

4. Walk in nature

This has now become an activity I look forward to the most. The chance to step out for a leisurely stroll with no hurry to reach somewhere is so freeing. More so if you can do it with some trees, birds, and a river/lake around. I have been extremely lucky in the last 3 years to be able to live in homes where I have had easy access to beautiful pedestrian paths amid lush green nature. The instant upliftment in mood, the refreshed feeling and a bit of calorie burn makes it the best wholistic activity to step away from your busy life.

5. Get 8 hours of sleep

Importance of sleep is underrated. We complain about feeling lethargic, tired, exhausted most times during the day but when it comes to going to bed early, we still resist it. Scrolling through social media, binge watching a series might feel relaxing at the time of doing it, but we don’t realise the toll it is slowly taking on our lives. Sleep should not be compromised, and the effects of a good quality sleep can do wonders to your day.

I have a policy of not using any device on bed, except for my kindle. I refrain from responding to messages, watching videos or any activity which activates my mind and moves me away from my goal of falling asleep faster.

You can also try listening to some calming music that instantly puts all your senses at ease and brings in a soothing feeling within, eventually drifting you to sleep.

6. Read

Gaining knowledge has never been easier. Within minutes you can understand a topic from any era, genre or technological standpoint and the best part is that it is all free. Take a moment to grasp how lucky we are compared to older generations that did not have this privilege.

I usually pick a topic of interest each week and read as much as I can about it. I consciously devote time for this instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media and realising that hours have passed by and the only feeling left is of lethargy and absolute nothingness.

7. Be active

Studies show that being active for 30-40 minutes a day and spending the rest of the day in front of a computer doing nothing, can negate the benefits of the workout. What is important is to complement exercise/workouts with an active daily routine. With most of us working from home, I know this is not easily achievable, but simple changes in your habits can make a huge difference.

I am finding ways to bring in some activity during times when we are simply sitting idle. I purchased light dumbbells to use during work meetings where I don’t need to participate or I walk around the house when I am on the phone, or instead of having a bottle of water on my desk, I only have a glass and it forces me to walk to the kitchen to fill up every single time. I hope you get an idea from this and can incorporate changes that suit your interest and lifestyle. Small changes but significant results in keeping you fit and healthy. 😊

And that was it guys, some changes that I am so grateful I brought into my life and hoping that this has provided you with some insights if you are looking to brighten your days by doing something you love!