Art by @frhmayu

Yes, you.

Conceding what has been in you for the sake of whatever makes you be you.

There's no other but you.

You are wondrous.

Remaining to be truly you.

~Cheerio!

Art by @frhmayu. 

So, the point is, keep in faith, analyse the situation, start taking an action, and then repeat, until you reach your dream.

Giving up is never an option. Remember that.

~Cheerio!

Before I recognised how excessive I was, I did never expect me knowing the Minimalist lifestyle, it was totally never on my list until one and a half years ago

Let's start it from here...

When I was younger I mostly spent my money buying clothes. I loved thrifting, oh my god especially the T-shirt and the style. It was unique and fantastic as I could be whomever I desired to without feeling bashful at all, instead I felt much confident when I was wearing those clothes.

Many of my friends even asked me, they loved my style and wanted to have them, always asking me where did I get those cool pants, cute shirts, or good T-shirts. And then they asked me the price. Most surprisingly, the price is more than you can imagine, absolutely INEXPENSIVE! Yes, love! It won't suck out your wallet unless you retain the budget carefully. 

Every month or might be, just might be, I could do thrifting at least once per two weeks. Insane, right? With no qualms, I would buy many many many clothes. Once I admired it I would put it into the cart as fast as I could before someone stole it from me and sold it out.

In addition, styling clothes was something that I was going to get a kickoff. It was always Oh my day! Never got tired of making a new look by whatever things that I had on my wardrobe or even things that I did not have but I did not mind buying new ones, because, at that time, my gut said I need these, I need all of them. I had a bunch of inspirations and I had to make it real. Putting my creativity into styles, yes, dear, I was that insane before.

Until one day.

One of the hella bad days.

My wardrobe was not fit enough for each pair of my trousers and my clothes! My beautiful clothes! I even just bought it today, and all of them would not fit in? Great, just great. Totally made my day, pathetically.

I realised I had too many clothes.

I remained silent for a couple of minutes. My mind was mingled, reminiscing about all the other pieces of stuff I had that I was not sure able to mention one by one. 

"Do I have too much stuff? Why can't I mention them all?"

My hands moved through the wardrobe, finding some clothes I did not even know exist. 

"Oh well, why don't I remember having this?"

"When did I buy it?"

"When was the last time I wore it?"

I reached one of the farthest clothes in the corner, "wait, wait, isn't it a five-year-ago dress that mom used to buy me? The last 5 five years of Ramadhan," I sighed.

Smack my head gently, "Oh God, why does this remain here? It shouldn't be here, I should give or throw it away. Since I never wore it for ages and will never wear it again."

"See, that's just clothes. What about other items? All the books that have been purchased and never read them saying that you don't have time? sticky notes you always rebuy even tho there's still a lot because you are too afraid of getting run out of them although it never happened? and don't forget those unnecessary stationaries you always fill out," me talking to my own self.

Okay, before we discuss it further, I had found interesting reasons after analysing a few things when I started learning to not being excessive about stuff.

Here's what I got:

When you are being excessive, the stage of reason you present to get whatever you desire is regarding your cravenness of immediacy exhilaration or people often call it instant gratification.

The simplest thing why people buy items is for fun. They love it because it has become a pleasure for them.

According to Norton from BBC, he said that these items do not actually increase your level of happiness in the long term.

"Most of us can actually maximize the things we already have to make ourselves happy," said Norton.

But because you only care about your love for the item, so you want to have it. Whether you need it or not is the least thought you deliberately have.

Your centre of attention is subconsciously on your feelings. The brain gives a direct signal from loving to wanting so that you automatically ignore the situation which is not so convincing. You already want it, you will think about the consequence of your action later after you get home, reflecting whether the item is really needed or not. After tenderly observing the item, you realise that it just encumbers you even more.

How did I cope with it?

After discussing what happened to me with my friend, reading some books, articles, and researching some journals, I got a final answer.

A Minimalist lifestyle.

Here's a secret I found in the midst way:

You can still live a minimalist lifestyle and not live in a tiny 300-square-foot house, not throw all the clothes and replace it with black and white theme only, not sell your favourite mugs to the neighbourhood. It's possible to stay where you used to live, to take some of the main ideas of minimalism and incorporate them into your own life.

I'd search online for articles, getting on how to become minimalist and I'd find people whose stories only owned a few things in their lives, for instance just two pieces of mugs, two sets of spoons and forks, three plates, one shoe, some pair of jeans, and some shirt with the same colour, black. I was fascinated by their lifestyle, but also I knew it wasn't for me. So not me. 

I was always going to keep some clothes because I love mix-matching items, I like having a few stationaries, I am having some pairs of shoes; at least black, white, and cream ones, and I was never going to get by with just a little amount of books! In other words–I liked the idea of living less, but I knew I was never going to be like the people I read about online.

For a few months I came to realise that there is only one rule when it comes to minimalism:

You must be intentional about what you allow into your life.

Like Joshua Bekker mentioned, minimalism is internationally living with only the things that absolutely we need. It's having and being surrounded by fewer items that support your purpose, so you can more focus on your life and times. Basically, being a minimalist means intentionally promoting what we most value and removing everything that distracts us from it.

Then I got the idea of getting something in and throwing something out.  

In my humble opinion, it is the easiest way newbie to start.

At least for now, I want to keep the most valuable things that have been in my house and to have as few possessions as possible by not buying new material items. For you too!

The goal of minimalism is to align the "things" in your life (your physical stuff, your commitments, and even your relationships) with you what matters most to  YOU.

Maybe your next very move of "how to be minimalist" is planning to declutter. 

Right?

I'll be honest with you and tell you that I didn't do this when I first got started with minimalism. I donated it. So, I got rid of it, purposely donating to others.

A good place to begin is by searching the best places to donate your goods.

If you have a plan what to do with your stuff before decluttering, you're more likely to follow through with your plan, you won't end up with bags of stuff you don't know what to do and avoid laying down on the deepest corner part of the warehouse. Don't let this happen! it is a disaster. Don't end your bags of stuff end up there alone, which over time be dusty and untouchable. Then tell me, what's the difference? there's no point in it if you do so.

So, you better to have a plan before decluttering.

Period.

I know this feels like too much on your plate, but I promise it's worth it.

It's okay if you don't know when is the best time to do this, you can do it whenever you want and it's better as soon as possible. A single piece of a puzzle is better than the amount of nothing.

Although it's forcefully hard to declutter, at least always have a deep consideration before letting every single thing into your life. You get rid of stuff in your home has been difficult, don't double it by getting unnecessary things and bringing them inside your home and YOUR LIVE.

I know sometimes we are too emotionally tied to our sentimental goods. Either do I know this forces us to let go of those emotions and focus on functionality.

While you are being minimalist, your focus is going to the most paramount things that are fulfilled your needs.

When you go shopping to the nearest convenient store, you will buy things that are needed only, straight go to the stall. You won't pick something that is not on your list. Of course your eyes still catch a glimpse of happiness there even without buying a cute or on sale products, since you know what you need not just what you like. 

Priority is the key.

What is your priority?

Do you really need that stuff inside your home?

Is that gonna be useful or not? or at least has an artistic sense?

Does it bring you love or joy?

Once you've minimalised the amount of things you own, make sure that you also start to limit what you bring into your home, as well. You didn't do all this work to be undone by a few impulsive shopping sprees.

Remember this, since you are getting rid of the stuff that doesn't matter so you have more time, money, space, energy for the things that do.

~Cheerio!

SELESAI 

Semoga bermanfaat! 

Alangkah baiknya jangan sampai kehilangan rapot ataupun dokumen penting lainnya karena jujur, itu sangat merepotkan apalagi dalam keadaan mendesak. Kita bisa mulai merapihkan dan memisahkan dokumen penting milik kita di tempat khusus atau bisa dengan membeli sebuah dokumen keeper. Yuk kurangi keteledoran.

~Cheerio!

When hardship came into my life, the first thing that popped out in my mind was 'how do I get the patience to get through this?'

Of course, it is hardly easy and that is the reason Allah (SWT) gives the rewards and raises the one who is patient. However, Allah did mention in the Qur'an that He is alongside the patient ones. 

So, are there any certain things we can do to facilitate patience into the calamity?

Yes, absolutely just like Allah (SWT) put you on a trial, He gives you the tools to push through it.

1. Pray while crying and communicating your feelings

At this exact moment, our hearts are broken and we can barely do anything although please never stop praying. We find ourselves crying our hearts out in each sujood. That's fine, we need this. Making abundant of Duas while crying and begging Allah to mend the cracked pieces of our hearts.

I know we always have a chance to talk with someone whom we trust, let our feelings out so we allow the healing process to take place. However, have you ever thought that the best one who we can trust and rely on is only Allah? Yes, rely on and depend on ourselves only to Him. Do not stop each dropped tear because they literally release the sadness intensity. 

Regarding the studies, tears detoxify the body, release the accumulated negative emotions, and elevate one's mood. No wonder we often feel much better after bawling our eyes out!

In addition, if you still need someone to talk with then talk to someone you trust. It's okay to share it with someone whom you totally trust. It's okay bro. We are human beings and it's normal.

2. Make LOTS OF Dua

Dua along with Salah (Prayer) is a miraculous means to wipe away our unbearable sadness and hardship. Close our eyes and visualise our pain melts away each Dua. Remember you are talking to Allah who controls all our affairs and can overturn your heart as He wills.

Ask Him to strengthen our hearts just like he did to the mother of Prophet Musa (PBUH) when she was giving away her son to the river.

"And the heart of Moses's mother ached so much that she almost gave away his identity, had We not reassured her heart in order for her to have faith in Allah's promise." (Al-Qasas:10)

3. Reflect on the stories of patience in the Qur'an

Usually, shared experiences remind us we are not alone in this and that provides great comfort.

Therefore, the multiple stories of the prophets and other righteous people are not there only for entertainment. Each story engraves a lesson in our hearts to face life's challenges with the right mindsets.

They are there to remind us of times when things were unbearable for them (PBUT), and yet they overcame each hurdle with sturdy hearts filled with Iman, Subhanallah.

4. The Dua of hardships

Something we often tend to forget is making the Dua that Umm Salamah recited when she lost her husband Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with them both).

Reciting this Dua is wonderful on so many levels. To begin with you are practicing patience as soon as the calamity hits and Allah (SWT) will replace your sorrow with something that will please you insha'Allah.

Umm Salamat (May Allah be pleased with her reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying, "When a person suffers from a calamity and utters: 'Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un. Allahumma ujurni fi musibati, wakhluf li khairan minha (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah! Compensate me in my affliction, recompense my loss and give me something better in exchange for it), then Allah surely compensates him with reward and better substitute." Umm Salah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: When Abu Salamah (May Allah be please with him) died, I repeated the same supplication as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) had commanded me (to do). So Allah bestowed upon me a better substitute than him (I was married to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (SAW)). [Muslim] (Riyad as-Salihin 921)

5. Stay hopeful and have a support system

Know that every hardship comes with ease. That is not my promise nor any human being, it is Allah's! Have positive expectations and thoughts upon Allah and be patient with an optimistic approach that this trial shall pass.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him as saying that Allah thus stated: I live in the thought of My servant as he thinks of Me and with him as he calls Me. (Muslim)

In addition, surround ourselves with people who genuinely care about us. When we are alone our thoughts start cramming into our minds overwhelming us with even more sadness because having the right people around us will take our minds off of things even for a wee bit. 

Moreover, you will learn something that most probably is going to help you in your life and ultimately make you more resilient.

Failures, losses, made me stronger every single day. Having a failure does not mean we suck, it is part of life process.

~Cheerio!