“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it”. ~Lao Tzu

If only we could be more like water – strong, life-giving and beautiful. It trickles and surges, ebbs and swirls, here and there, following the natural course of life without attachment or resistance. Even when it appears to be quite still, it is not stagnant but peaceful and content. And it is always always flowing.

There are some weeks you’re busy, some weeks you’re bored. Sometimes you feel like working out, other times you feel like pigging out. Some days a friend or loved one can do no wrong, other days everything they do irks you. You can have an absolute favorite movie, song, food dish, book or hobby, but a few months later its being overplayed or you tire of it. One moment the sun is shining, the next it is raining.

People are fickle, states are constantly changing, old things break, new things are invented. Things don’t simply move in just one direction – they can go backwards, forwards, left or right, up or down, and even in complete cycles. If we try to force things we cannot control to be one way or another, or if we insist on being at one extreme or another, then eventually we will lose our balance. This is okay sometimes too, but if we look for it, there is always a middle way.

There is too much energy in the world for things to ever truly be still. It’s exactly these fluctuations and transitions that we experience every day that makes things exciting, keeps us on our toes and reminds us – if we remain mindful of it – that we are alive.

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Since starting Minimal Student almost three years ago now, I have never taken more than a few weeks off at a time, but after coming back to England and settling in my own place, and no longer travelling as much as I used to, I felt that my writing had run out of steam. In January, I took a hiatus so that I could rearrange my thoughts and priorities, and hopefully come back a better writer.

To achieve this, I took the rather unusual approach of learning how to reflect about myself – without using any words at all.

Words are concrete, specific and tangible, but in reality, our emotions and feelings are not. I realise now that it is very difficult to convey even a fraction of who and what we are and how we feel in words – most people can only speak or write well enough to reveal the tip of the iceberg of themselves. And even if we could, we can never guarantee that others would understand. Humans are complex and irrational creatures, many of our actions are self-justified, illogical, unreasonable, or simply make no sense to others but ourselves.

So I decided to go back to the beginning, scrap all I knew about writing and start again. I emptied my cup. I turned off the computer, and sat my ass down on a pillow for a few moments each day. It wasn’t easy at first, I helplessly watched my mind jump around like an agitated squirrel trapped in a cage. But eventually I learned to embrace my energetic mind, and to observe myself without attachment or judgement – I learned to let go.

My break from writing taught me that there’s a lot to be said for putting down the pen and just being. Without words, there are no expectations, preconceptions, nothing to show or prove to anybody else, no gray areas and nothing to hide behind.

After a few months, my journey led here – back to writing again. But this time, it is clear that my style has evolved into a way of expressing myself that I feel touches something much deeper within. With practice, I hope I can continue to grow enough to be able to make sense of topics that are very difficult to explain, but too important to ignore.

It’s an ambitious task, but I like to think of it as a challenge.

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Three years ago, since starting Minimal Student (on a whim – like most of the things I end up doing), my life has gone through some very distinct phases – I moved away from home, I spent a year abroad in Japan, I came back to England and got my own place… and during these phases I began to take interest in topics that I could relate to minimalism, such as travel or technology. Over time, my interest in different subjects waxed and waned and this blog grew to encompass more topics such as health, relationships, happiness and last but not least, Zen Buddhism.

The ‘Student’ part of this blog title is supposed to mean more than the fact that I was literally a university student when I started it. I wanted to emphasize the Zen teaching of emptying one’s cup, having an open mind and being constantly mindful. I’ve touched on these subjects before, but now I feel is the right time for me to start putting them into focus.

mindfulness at the center

It has been a few years now since I started reading, putting into practice, and learning from experience about Zen and Buddhism. Yet, I still would not call myself an expert. Heck, to be honest I still wouldn’t call myself a ‘Buddhist’ – I wouldn’t want to degrade a term that is reserved for people much more dedicated and knowledgable than I would ever be – but I have taken their wiser words to heart and put together some of the very best teachings that I feel have helped me move onwards in my everyday life.

There are so many different things to write about, yet, in my mind they all somehow come back to minimalism. Here are a few teaser topics for the future:

• Beginnings
• Monkey Mind
• Finding Balance
• Mistakes
• On Striving
• Effortlessness
• The Beauty of Silence
• Attachment
• Learning
• Just Being
• …and more! (Come back to this page for links as each one is published!).

These will be shorter posts that I can publish more often than the usual longer articles. In the meantime, I still have some in-depth topics waiting in the pipelines and I’ll be back on twitter taking in your ideas and sharing other miscellaneous quotes and thoughts that pop up during my day – follow @MinimalStudent for immediate post updates! (I am also on google+, follow me and we can hang out! If there is enough demand I shall begin be posting on there too ).

Thank you to all my wonderful readers for you unwavering loyalty, it means more to me than you’ll ever know.

Oh, it’s great to be back.

“What I propose is a spiritual revolution”  ~ Dalai Lama

As political freedom spreads to more people and technology integrates into our lives, one would think that man’s quest for happiness is more obtainable than ever. And yet, there is still so much suffering in the world. There is still discrimination, war and violence. People are still hungry or ill when it can be prevented. Even those that seem like they have everything have their own stresses and worries.

Contrary to popular belief, money isn’t the answer to everything. We can try hard to fix the economy, invent new stuff to make our lives easier, even make environmental or political advances, these aren’t bad, but they’re not enough. What the world needs is a spiritual revolution.

By ‘spiritual’ I don’t mean in a religious way, rather that change needs to come to the hearts of people. We can try to fix external factors as much we like, but unless real positive change is made on an individual level, things will be different, but they won’t be better.

People need to want suffering to end. And they can start by trying to not create it for others. Even just doing a few little things can make a big difference.

Similarly, you can talk all day about how great minimalism is but without changing how you fundamentally think you’ll still be unhappy. Switching from consumerism to minimalism isn’t just a superficial act where you just get rid of stuff. It’s more than that. You have to be willing to change some of the most fundamental things you’ve been taught and really believe that the changes you have made were for the better.

Everybody has the power to change the world, even if for now it’s just their own.

Happy New Year everyone, may 2012 bring you the happiness and joy you deserve.

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Just outside my window, a beautiful clock tower chimes softly every hour.

To me, it’s a bell for mindfulness. A reminder that time is passing, and that I should not waste a moment of it.

The things that seem like a big deal now, one day I shall forget about them, and realise the things that really do matter.

In the end, it’s the things that have done that I want to remember, instead of regretting that which I haven’t. It’s the things that I do have, and the people that I do love that my world is made of, not what could have, should have or might have been.

As each day begins, the sun rises over the tower and as each day ends it sets behind it. The hands on the clock turn regularly, not stopping for anyone or anything.

Likewise, I should strive to move through my life with the same determination.

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There will always be a reason why you can’t or shouldn’t. 

But there’s rarely a justification for won’t.

It can take a lifetime to build up walls to protect yourself from getting hurt. Brick by brick, we build our defences and prepare ourselves for battle with all the people that come in and out of our daily lives – family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, bosses, enemies and lovers. All of them are puzzle pieces, big and small, that fit together and make us the person we are. We talk, hug, avoid, compete, compare, shake hands, tell secrets, share interests, reveal feelings or even spend long silences with all sorts of circles of people that constantly change as we grow and move on.

The world is a scary place, there are those out there who can hurt us, hate us for what they think we are, but in turn there are those who can love us for being exactly who I am.

We could spend our lives hiding away, protecting ourselves from even the possibility of being hurt. We could keep our feelings hidden, never say what we want to say, avoid risk and never tell somebody that we love them.

But what kind of world would we be living in if we all did that?

Or we could take a chance. Open our hearts. Tell somebody how special they are and how much they mean to us. We could let go of our insecurities, fear and pride, and in return, get back something much more valuable.

If only we let ourselves be vulnerable.

There’s always a chance you’ll get hurt. That’s true of almost anything, but what if for once you ignored the voice of reason and took that step that will change your life?

You’ll never know the outcome of anything unless you give it a try. And ‘to try’ is to be willing to put everything on the line to see it through.

When it’s raining, most people head for cover. What if you danced in it instead?

Be vulnerable, be alive.

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Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it.

~Buddha

Looking down into deep waters is scary.

It’s dark and you don’t know what’s down there. There could be sharks, or poisonous jellyfish, or any manner of monsters, waiting to eat you alive.

But you jump in anyway. And it was the best decision you’ve ever made.

That’s how I felt, going to live in Japan, armed with not much more than a suitcase, some basic phrases and a lot of preconceptions.

I had no idea what was going to happen and I was scared out of my wits. What the hell did I sign up for?

Then, after all of the trials and tribulations of living in Japan, I had almost slipped into my comfort zone until I decided to visit Korea. I literally couldn’t speak a word of Korean, but I still experienced some of the greatest moments in my life.

And then I went to Hong Kong and did exactly the same thing.

Being scared of the unknown is natural, but that doesn’t mean that we should submit to it. Life is all about overcoming the challenges that face us, but also the challenges that we seek out to make ourselves better people. To avoid good challenges is to avoid the best that life can offer.

Even if you’re not living in an exotic country or about to jump off a plane, we could all use a bit more immersion in our everyday lives. We tend to slip into spending too much time on auto-pilot, falling into an unfulfilling routine and not really living life.

In a way, it’s easier to be present when you’re doing something exciting like travelling, than it is when you’re lining up at the supermarket checkout, but both of those situations are equal in terms of our precious time being spent. Nobody knows what will happen to us tomorrow, so let’s not waste even a moment.

simple act

From just washing the dishes to going for a run, whatever you do, just jump in. Dive deep and fully immerse yourself in the moment. Give it your all, plus a big dash determination, enthusiasm or whatever else you have to offer. Do nothing half heartedly.

Life is a miracle, and yet it doesn’t ask for much in return… just that you live it.

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Over the last few years, I’ve moved home several times, including once across the world. Every time, I had to pack everything I own into suitcases and boxes and drag them into a waiting vehicle, ready to be driven off to my next destination.

With all of this work, it’s no wonder I developed my minimalist tendencies to black belt level. I also don’t like to leave ‘unfinished business’, so I tend to get rid of everything I’m not taking, rather than leave stuff behind. It’s quite an exhausting experience to pick up and move, not just physically but also emotionally – saying goodbye to the people I care about (Skype is amazing but it’s not the same as being present) and beginning the next journey with all it’s worries and expectations of what my new life will be like and not knowing what the future holds.

At the same time, it’s exciting, which is why I love to travel and moving is something I’ve learned to take into my stride. But there were many times I wondered what it would be like to settle down, even for just a little while.

Now, for the first time in years, I have finally found a place where I have decided to stay for more than just a few months. I have moved in with one of my closest friends into a neat little studio apartment in the middle of a wonderful city.

Everyday, I experience something new. I can actually buy normal things like a laundry rack knowing that I will get good use out of it. I can rekindle my love for playing the piano. I can read paperback books. I can have my own set of colour pens.

landing pad vs. launch pad

One of my tech heroes Gwen Bell once wrote about this subject and even though the post is no longer on her blog, it resonated with me so much that I still remember it - is a home a landing pad, or is it really a launch pad? 

If I think about it, all of my projects and goals start right here. Everything I want, plan and will do begins with goal setting and research which I do from my home, wherever that is. So, for me, it’s not just a place to wind down but also a place to begin my next endeavour.

With that in mind, I’m actually looking forward to exploring all of the possibilities I have now that I’ve stopped moving for a while. Travelling offers amazing opportunities but having stability has good points too.

still minimalist?

I may have a couple new luxuries but I haven’t turned into a hoarder. I still love to travel, and I still don’t like the idea of having more clothes I can fit into a single suitcase. Wherever I am, it’s in my nature to cultivate a minimalist environment.

The blog will of course continue (thank you for all of your support so far) and I feel I will be shifting more towards minimalism at home rather than minimalism and travelling (for now).

And finally, even though now I have the chance to start growing some roots, I haven’t forgotten one of the most important teachings I’ve learned over the last few years, it’s written on my window to remind me everyday – nothing lasts forever, so why not make the most of every moment?

ps. Apologies for how ‘me-centric’ this post is, it’ll be back to normal next time

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“There are three types of people in this world, those who finish what they start and those that don’t.

People have spent entire careers wondering whether there was something special about ‘successful’ people – was there a common characteristic? A secret ingredient? Or just something they ate?

Of course, there are many common characteristics that contributes to ‘success’, but to me, the difference between a successful person and one that comes down to one thing (at the risk of sounding like Ms. Norbury):

Successful people push.

In other words, they:

• actively put their ideas and themselves out in front of people.
• make themselves vulnerable to criticism
• believe strongly in their ideas
• believe strongly in themselves
• have the ability to keep perspective
• strive to finish

On the other hand, unsuccessful people:

• wait for things to land on their lap
• hold on to old ways
• take the path of least resistance
• stick to only what they know
• let others put them down too easily

shipping – push your ideas into the crowd

Not everything you think of will be great. Actually, a lot of ideas that have been adamantly stuck to have turned out to be quite bad, but you’ll never know unless you try.

Amazing ideas could be wasted if you don’t bring them to life. Imagine if the greatest inventors and writers cared just that tiny bit too much about how they would look to other people, then we wouldn’t have some of the most useful, innovative, sensational, ingenious, and moving songs, stories, poems, devices, products and services of all time. History is completely made up of people flying into the face of their naysayers (sometimes literally) and going against the crowd.

Imagine all of the ideas out there right now, waiting to change the world. I’m willing to bet there’s one right now, inside yourself. Until you’re willing to ship, no one will know about it.

You have to persevere with your ideas. Don’t be a pushover and let other people put your down. Don’t be pushy and force your ideas onto other people if you haven’t taken a step back to see if it’s right.

Instead, be a pusher – a special kind of person who acts on their passions and gets their creations out there.

how to be a push publish

1. Passion is number one. You can’t push for something you don’t believe in 100 per cent. It can take all of the energy and motivation you can muster to push something to where you want it to be and if your heart isn’t in it, then you’ll burn out before you can get there. Choose something that means everything to you.

2. Be willing to put your neck on the line. Put yourself out there and don’t care about what the trolls have to say. There are people out there who will try to put you down because they’re just too scared to do something great themselves, so they’d rather drag you down with them. It’s a tragedy, but it would be much worse if your joined their ranks. Nobody knows everything and nobody can predict the future, it’s up to you.

3. Take a step back. On the above note, if you receive actual constructive criticism, take a step back and see if any improvements can be made. Remember, don’t be a pushover or pushy – it’s extremely important to remain mindful as much you can. It depends on a person’s character and strength of conviction whether they let people put them down or if it leads to improvement and eventually what is just a good idea becomes a real idea.

4. Keep a balanced standard. Have faith in yourself and aim high. Setting a challenging standard for yourself is a very good thing but don’t aim for perfection, because there’s no such thing.  Try not be too self-critical, otherwise you’ll always be waiting for something that’s impossible.

5. Create something of value to other people and you’re bound to succeed. It’s as simple as this : if people need or want something you can give them, you are already on the way to success. All you need to figure out is how you can give it to them and how you can receive something valuable in return (this doesn’t necessarily mean cash). Something of value in return can be anything from useful criticism, encouraging comments or spreading your name via word of mouth.

Pushing publish doesn’t have to be hard, but unless it’s good, people won’t take notice. Posts like these take me some time to write because I always have to make sure I’ve done my best before publishing something I’ve created for everyone to see.

Anybody can change the world. But not everybody does. Don’t let it be you.

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“I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest“. ~ Dalai Lama

Into the Eye of the Storm

A storm is coming. Thick, dark clouds are gathering in the distance, rolling closer and closer towards you. The echo of a deep rumbling shakes the ground beneath your feet. Lightening pierces the sky in great thin flashes. Suddenly there’s a giant clash and everything goes white.

You open your eyes.

The first thing you notice is not what is there but what isn’t. The chaos and uproar is gone and in it’s place there is a tranquil silence that almost seems to ring in your ears. You fill your lungs with the cool, thin air. It calms your thumping heart.

You are in the eye of the storm.

Everything you have done until now has lead you to this moment.

Being focussed is about transporting your mind and body to a place of serenity. There’s nothing to pull you away from what you’re about to do. For now, nothing beyond your bubble really exists. The past is behind you and the future hasn’t happened yet. The world is at your feet.

This moment is a fresh start, a new beginning, a clean slate.

Has there ever been one moment in your life when you’ve been completely, utterly focussed? If you have experienced it, then you might know the feeling of infinite joy that comes out of being able to perform your very best.

You feel awesome, inspired and unstoppable. 

If you haven’t had the chance to experience that kinds of momentum yet, you can try to bring the moment towards you using some focus mantras.

25 focus mantras for genius, creativity & greatness

1. disconnect
2. breathe deeply
3. intensity is vital
4. drop your expectations
5. play and stay curious
6. lose yourself and
7. know who you really are
8. be present
9. embrace solitude
10. make your own rules
11. listen honestly
12. savor the silence
13. life is the journey
14. love everything
15. just feel
16. let go of the past
17. passion is key
18. move with purpose
19. reject fear
20. strive ahead
21. freedom is in your mind
22. gratitude goes a long way
23. make a difference
24. dive deeply
25. be human

It’s your chance to fill the pages of your life. Write your story. It is in these moments that you decide who you are and what you’re alive for.

Now go do what you are supposed to do… and give it everything you have.

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