I’ve decided... I want to live like the Amish.

 

Not by donning a kapp or riding a buggy, but by living intentionally.

 

 

The Amish way of life...

It's often believed that Amish communities are ignorant to modern technology and avoid it completely, but this is no longer the case. They don't block out modern inventions, they assess them. They evaluate them based on their rock-solid philosophy.

 

Their main value is to strengthen their community.

 

When they're made aware of a modern invention, a committee will introduce it in a controlled manner to assess how it impacts the community as a whole. Their main goal is to identify whether the adoption of a specific modern invention will help or harm the community.

 

Those that make the cut are ones that pass the test of: strengthening the community, bringing people together, making systems more efficient, and benefitting their environment. Those that prove harmful are not introduced.

 

When cars were introduced into Amish communities, people were more inclined to travel elsewhere for entertainment. This resulted in a fracturing of the group, as people spent less time together. The inclusion of personal phones was quickly identified as harmful, as people were more likely to stay indoors and isolate themselves from the wider community. To combat this, communal phones were introduced, which led to families bump into each other and chat. Disposable diapers are a part of Amish life these days, as they assessed them to be more helpful for the community than harmful.

 

By developing a strong philosophy around a set of core values, the Amish people are able to make more informed decisions rather than getting swept up in what wider society believes is beneficial. Nobody knows their values better than them.

 

The same applies to you and I.

 

Convenience is not held in as high a regard as longterm community benefit within Amish communities. The same cannot be said for modern society. We adopt new technology for its efficiency rather than its positive impact on the tribe at large.

Living by an agreed philosophy is clearly working for the Amish people. When young Amish folks head off into civilisation for Rumspringa, 80-90% of them return to their community. Humans are built to thrive in tight-knit groups with shared beliefs. Modern society's emphasis on individual gain often sends us down paths of selfishness and isolation.

 

The Amish method of practice and reflection is a thread that runs through minimalism. Minimalism is all about living intentionally by removing and introducing things that actually align with your values.

 

My history with 'stuff'...

I was raised in a family that had a lot of stuff: clothes, holidays, decor, gadgets, cars.

 

I am lucky to have felt abundant as a child, as many can't say the same. If I was so inclined, I could have asked and received even more 'stuff'. But having more material possessions never appealed to me. I never really asked for much and felt content with what I had.

 

This all changed when insecurity and societal pressure came into the mix a few years ago.

I felt that if I donned enough branded clothing and strived for wealth, I would be seen as important and successful. This was all a facade to cover up my deep insecurity of not being enough, not achieving enough. My goals up until recently were purely materialistic: dream car, dream house, dream closet full of expensive clothes. With the little money I had, I'd splurge on expensive clothing, perfume, and accessories in an attempt to feel whole and present a certain image to the world. It left me feeling empty and even more insecure; I felt like a fraud.

 

Breaking free...

Since digging into the root of my insecurities and unpicking them, I've uncovered my true values. This combined with broadening my mind and skillset has brought me to where I am today. I no longer cling to external validation and the need for 'more'.

 

My biggest value is freedom, but not in terms of money or the ability to buy more stuff. For me, freedom comes from my ability to self-regulate through meditation and journalling, maintain holistic health for longevity, develop my knowledge, follow my curiosity, and communicate effectively.

That feeling of 'having enough' has been able to flourish again since childhood. This has led to feeling suffocated by all the useless stuff I still have in my orbit: clothes I never wear, bits and bobs that just feel like clutter. I know what I like, I know what I use - that is enough. Everything else feels like a hefty anchor dragging me down.

 

I have been diving into the world of minimalism. There is a common thread of intentionality that runs through the way the Amish, monks, and hunter-gatherers live. They have strong values and their possessions reflect those values.

 

That's how I'm trying to live these days - intentionally.

 

Recently, I got rid of 100 clothing items. That was a solid start in determining what I use and what my values truly are. But it gave me a taste for more. I've been diving into digital minimalism and spiritual minimalism…

 

I look forward to sharing my upcoming experiments with you!

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