Self Esteem

This is a topic that is a fundamental part of the minimalist lifestyle. Without having a healthy self esteem, one will never be able to adopt the minimalist way of life. Instead, he or she will be sucked into the culture of consumerism shortly after entering it. Self esteem is the defense against Madison Avenue.

So why do I make this proclamation? It is simple. We are conditioned to believe that we are not enough. Advertisers taught us for years that we need to have ______________ to make us complete. Want to be cool, smoke a certain brand of cigarettes. If you want to have the love of your significant other, get her a ____________________ car for Xmas. Regardless of the product, we are ingrained with the idea that an object will make us complete. The devastating part of that concept is that one needs to acquiesce that he or she is broken in the first place. In other word, you are not enough.

Here is a statement that needs to be implanted in your mind and repeated over and over.

YOU ARE ENOUGH EXACTLY AS YOU ARE!!!

Regardless of your lot in life, you are enough exactly how you are. There is no need for you to 'buy' anything. Expenditures of this nature do not complete you and end up costing you freedom. Debt is a common problem within our society; much of it tied to the low esteem that people have.

Minimalism is about taking hold of freedom. No longer is one at the mercy of the advertisers and the large corporations. Instead, minimalist living entitles one to choose what is important while lining up purchases accordingly. This begins with the minimalist mindset. Part of that is knowing you are worthy exactly as you are.

Western culture is wrought with slavery. People are pushed into taking on debt to compensate for some perceived shortcoming. This begins the vicious cycle of 'retail therapy'. We buy into the idea that buying something will make us feel better. Unfortunately, like a drug, this is only a temporary fix. After a short while, the 'hole' returns. Nothing was accomplished by the expenditure.

A quick story in summation: I remember a number of years ago a got a new car. It was a 'intelligent' purchase in that I got a substantial discount by getting the previous years model. (It was March so the dealership was ready to unload since the new models came out the previous September). I financed the purchase since I did have the cash. Thus, I had my new car.

Now, this is where the story gets interesting. Can you guess what I had two months later? I no longer had a new car. Instead, I had 58 more car payments left. My new vehicle turned into a debt that hung around my neck for the next 5 years.

Fortunately, I am happy to report that the April will mark the 60 month since I made the last payment. Today, my esteem doesn't need the stroking that most solve by assuming a long term obligation. I would rather drive a 10 year old car and be free of the monthly debt payment. This is freedom.