Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Minimalist | Would Sophrosyne the Greek Goddess live in a Tiny House?

My sister shared an article with me about
 "Sophrosyne" [suh-fros-uh-nee
posted by  Miss Minimalist .
I found the article interesting and thought it was worth sharing. 

Looking back at the philosophical thinking of the The Ancient Greeks might help one define and consider what they really mean when the declare themselves as a "Minimalist".

An Empty Room is not "Minimalist"


describes her thoughts of what a Minimalist is and isn't 
based on the philosophy of Sophrosyne .
 I would have to tend to agree.
She Writes:
"There are three main facets to Sophrosyne:
  • Self-knowledge
  • Self-restraint
  • Harmony
Or, in my minimalist interpretation:
  • Knowing what’s enough for you
  • Choosing enough over excess
  • Finding joy in enough

Sophrosyne, then, isn’t about self-denial. Rather, it’s avoiding overindulgence (like doing, buying, owning, or eating “too much”) because it truly makes you happier to do so.

Some examples:

Sophrosyne isn’t skipping the Doritos or a second helping, and feeling miserable about it; it’s eating healthy foods, in healthy proportions, because it makes your body feel better.

Sophrosyne isn’t denying yourself that new handbag/gadget/car, while continuing to yearn for it; it’s being excited to preserve some of the Earth’s resources, or put that money into your child’s college fund instead.

Sophrosyne isn’t giving up your TV because it’s “a minimalist thing,” but because it gives you more time to pursue the activities you love.

Sophrosyne isn’t throwing all your stuff away in a no-holds-barred decluttering session; it’s questioning whether each item you own adds value to your life, or if you’d be happier without it.

Sophrosyne isn’t about choosing moderation because you think you should, but because it feels right and delights your soul.

A common misconception about minimalists is that we ditch our material possessions in some bizarre attempt to deny ourselves the “pleasures” of consumerism. I think what critics don’t get is this concept of sophrosyne: that we reject over consumption because we get more pleasure from not owning three closets of clothes or a houseful of knickknacks. We derive more happiness from saving our space, time, money, or the planet, than acquiring more possessions.

Sophrosyne isn’t about self-restraint for its own sake, but rather the joy it brings us. It’s living a wise, graceful, and balanced life because we wouldn’t have it any other way."

The Tiny House movement is fueled by many frames of thought. Everyone has their driving forces that persuade them towards one way of thinking or another. Think about what really is the most important driving factor of why you do what you do and the choices you make towards a 
Minimalist Lifestyle.  

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