The essentials in 5 points [Esp-Eng]

A few years ago, after several days of hard work, we had earned enough money to buy some things we needed. Among them was a pair of shoes that I really liked because of their appearance; they were green with some orange accents that made them look super cute. My husband and I bought matching pairs and wore them together, so apart from being cute, I also saw them as something special.

But I bought these shoes in another country, so I put them in my suitcase after trying them on without checking them properly, and when I got home, for some strange reason, they were quite tight. It's okay that they were very cute, and I understand them especially for matching with my husband; we first wore them for normal outings, but then I saved them for vacations where I wasn't going to walk at all because, honestly, they were really uncomfortable.

The thing is, this experience taught me something very important, which is that beyond pretty things, you should choose things that feel good, things that make you feel comfortable and don't cause you any pain or discomfort. I couldn't wear those shoes anymore, and in the end, the money I spent on them felt like a waste. So, apart from causing me physical discomfort and pain, it also caused me a bit of financial discomfort.

This experience changed my life a lot and made me see things differently, so my list will be totally based on it, on physical things but also emotional ones. To start with, I will obviously talk about footwear: for me, it is essential to have a pair of shoes that are comfortable enough. I have a pair that my sister-in-law and brother gave me some time ago, and they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever had in my life; so, as long as they are in good condition, they are a fundamental part of my life.

Another thing is clothing: I stopped wearing uncomfortable clothes just because they're pretty or whatever. With all the love in the world, I replaced them entirely with comfortable clothes that allow me enough space to move around easily; clothes that I don't need anyone's help to put on and clothes that I can wear in hot places without them sticking to my body because they're so tight.

Thirdly, I'll talk about unnecessary accessories. I've never been one to wear jewelry, handbags, or sunglasses. The latter doesn't apply entirely because, as I have vision problems, I always wear my glasses to be able to see; but beyond that, I decided that instead of handbags—which, although pretty, are uncomfortable for me—I use backpacks for everything. Because they allow me to carry the weight on both arms, they don't get in my way at all and they also make my life easier because I can carry several things in them. Sometimes people might say that my backpack doesn't match my clothes if they are very formal, and that may be true, but I prefer to prioritize my comfort and avoid arm or back pain. Even so, I have a specific backpack made of a very nice material that is indispensable for me because it goes with everything and doesn't look too informal.

As a fourth point, I will talk about my time. It's great to feel that you are super useful and always busy, and it also helps us grow. However, I stopped living with the idea that I always have to be doing something, that I always have to have things pending, and that if I don't, then I am worth less. Now, something essential for me is to devote time to rest and activities that add to my life or simply make me smile.

And finally, even in minimalism, one can feel pressured by not having a house with neutral colors as one would like or with few pieces of furniture. Some time ago, I told you that where I live there is a lot of furniture that I cannot throw away and I have to figure out how to deal with it, storing as many things as possible and so on. But the desire for the place where I live to look simple, to look as minimalist as possible, became somewhat frustrating because I couldn't achieve it for now.

So something fundamental for me now is to understand that my "tinsel" would be those ideal minimalist houses that I sometimes see on the Internet; so I must always strive not to be frustrated by what I cannot change. I apply this to every aspect of my life, but especially when I see the colors of the walls or the furniture that takes up more space than I would like, and I focus on the fact that the most important thing is that I try to make do with what I have and, above all, that I have a place to shelter myself.