极简主义：在做减法中丰富人生

Hello everyone, I am Wang Fang. Very happy to meet you all again.

The topic we are going to chat about today might hit a pain point for many modern people. In this era of extreme material abundance, we own more and more things, but why does happiness seem to be decreasing?

Exactly, Li Ming. I've been thinking about this lately too. Especially every time I move or do a big cleaning, looking at the piles of items stacked like mountains, that sense of anxiety is truly suffocating.

This leads to our theme for today—Minimalism. Mentioning this word, many people's first reaction might be "throwing things away," or a room with bare walls containing only a bed.

Haha, indeed. Many people have a misunderstanding about minimalism, thinking it is a kind of ascetic practice. But actually, the core of minimalism isn't "the less the better," but "keeping only what truly sparks joy."

Well said. The concept of "Dan-Sha-Ri" (Refuse, Dispose, Separate) proposed by the famous Japanese clutter management consultant Hideko Yamashita is actually a manifestation of minimalism. Refuse unnecessary things, dispose of excess waste, and separate oneself from the attachment to items.

But Wang Fang, you know? It's easier said than done. Why can't we stop ourselves from buying and buying? There are actually profound psychological reasons behind this.

Is it because of dopamine?

Totally correct. When we browse shopping websites and see those dazzling arrays of goods, our brains secrete dopamine, giving us a pleasurable sense of anticipation. The moment we place the order, this pleasure reaches its peak.

But once the package is opened and the item is tossed aside, that happiness disappears quickly, replaced by the emptiness of a thinner wallet.

This is a typical trap of consumerism. Merchants create demand through advertisements, making us feel that "as long as I own this product, I can become a better person."

For example, buying a treadmill and thinking you'll become an athlete, or buying a Kindle and thinking you'll be well-read. The result? The treadmill becomes a clothes rack, and the Kindle becomes a lid for instant noodles.

Too real. So, the first step of minimalism is actually to examine our own desires. We need to ask ourselves: Am I buying this for the function of the item itself, or to fill an inner void?

Besides material minimalism, I think in today's information explosion, "digital minimalism" is equally important. Li Ming, how much time do you spend scrolling on your phone every day?

Sigh, let's not talk about it. Sometimes I clearly just want to check the weather forecast, but accidentally end up scrolling through short videos for an hour. Information overload makes it hard for me to concentrate.

This kind of "information obesity" is very common now. Our attention is cut into fragments by various pieces of fragmented information. So, cleaning up apps on the phone and unfollowing official accounts that only manufacture anxiety is also a form of minimalism.

Exactly. Rather than wasting time paying attention to other people's lives, it is better to bring your energy back and focus on the experience of the present moment. I recently tried disconnecting from the internet for half a day on the weekend, and I felt that not only did I not miss any major events, but on the contrary, my mood was much calmer.

This is actually the biggest bonus brought by minimalism—freedom. When we are no longer held hostage by items and information, we can free up time and space to pursue truly important things, like accompanying family, developing hobbies, or simply spacing out.

Speaking of this, I want to talk about a very realistic problem. When many people are organizing things, they always feel "although I don't use this thing now, what if I need it later?" or "this thing was very expensive when I bought it, it's a pity to throw it away."

This is what economics calls the "sunk cost fallacy." Because of the money or time we invested in the past, we forcibly keep things that no longer generate value, and as a result, they occupy our current space and mental energy instead.

Right. Here is a very practical standard for judgment: If it were you at this very moment, would you still be willing to spend the same amount of money to buy this item? If the answer is negative, then it means it has completed its historical mission and can leave.

Even if it was once expensive, if it only brings you a burden now, then its value is actually negative.

Well said. Minimalist living is not the goal, but a tool. It is to liberate us from complicated trivialities and gain a sense of inner order.

Correct. Just as the architectural master Mies van der Rohe said, "Less is more." Only by removing superfluous decorations can the essence of the architecture be revealed; only by removing the impurities of life can the true nature of life be seen.

For friends who want to try minimalist living, do you have any specific suggestions?

I think you can start with "micro-habits." For example, throw away or donate one unneeded item every day; or implement the "one in, one out" principle—if you buy a new piece of clothing, you must process an old one.

This suggestion is very practical. Don't try to empty the house in one day, that will cause a rebound. Take it slow, and feel the lightness brought by each act of letting go.

Yes. Life is your own, don't be minimalist just for the sake of minimalism, and don't force yourself for the sake of this label. Finding the balance point that makes you most comfortable is the most important thing.

Thank you very much Wang Fang for sharing today. After listening to this episode, I also plan to go home and clean up my desk.

Haha, take action. I hope everyone can add to their life in the process of subtraction.

Thank you everyone for listening, see you in the next episode of "Mind Wandering".

Goodbye!