Minimalist living is the new buzz word around the block now a days. But what is it really? Definition wise Minimalism is all about living with less. This includes less financial burdens such as debt and unnecessary expenses. For many minimalists, the philosophy is about getting rid of excess stuff and living life based on experiences rather than worldly possessions. But is it doable?
I tried it out and trust me, it is very much doable if you stick to the chalked out plan. While there are many aspects to being minimalistic, you don't need to rush into all of it at one go. For me, the way I am approaching this new lifestyle is to take-on one aspect at the time and implement it thoroughly before moving on to the next one. And here I am writing to share with you one such aspect which I found really beneficial and think you should try it too.
So, generally every month or alternate month, we all have to refill our pantry. Most of us usually go overboard while shopping for groceries by picking up everything on the shelf just to ensure that one fine day we would use it to prepare something special (even if that is going to be once in 3 months). The same was the story with me. I had this bad habit of stocking up unnecessary things in the pantry just because it looked good or because I may use it in future.
But I have changed that now. I stopped ordering things until my pantry reached a dangerously low level. And suddenly, I realised rather found a pack of a particular product I had just bought or packs that were nearing expiration and needed to be consumed soon.
What this new lifestyle does is that it forces you to design your menu basis what you have left in your pantry and hence you use the left overs that would have otherwise expired and land up in the dust bin (again wasting precious natural resources). My pantry is much lighter now. I can track my stock easily and know what all I have and when they are expiring. This new lifestyle change has not only helped avoid wastage in my kitchen but has also given me more space in my pantry by eliminating the unnecessary stocking.
Fun fact: When I tried this for the first time it took me almost 2 months to reach the dangerously low mark. Yes 2 months and in those 2 months my husband and my daughter actually thought I was in full cooking mode and experimenting in the kitchen with a new menu every day. At times I actually landed up making 2-3 dishes as I didn't have enough quantity of one dish.
Do let me know if you have any other trick up your sleeve :)
Tulika Garg
( Singapore )