When I first encountered minimalism, it was from a design perspective. I thought the concept was cool and aligned with my taste for minimalist design, but my understanding of minimalism was superficial, and I didn't have the motivation to learn more about it. However, my time in the military was the turning point that made me truly appreciate the meaning of minimalism.

During my four months in the military, my daily routine was repetitive, almost robotic. Surprisingly, I found myself very happy living that way. Reflecting back, I realized a few key reasons why:

1. Simple living: Our lives in the military were very basic. Our daily schedule, food, and accommodations were minimal, yet we were content. This made me realize that we don't need excessive material desires to live a fulfilling life.

2. Singular focus: In the military, my life had a singular focus – completing each task. This allowed me to concentrate all my energy and attention on one goal and made me feel accomplished.

3. Honesty and respect: In the military, we had to trust and respect each other. Everyone had their assigned duties and responsibilities, and only by fulfilling them could we achieve the collective goal. This taught me that honesty and respect are essential for building healthy relationships and teamwork.

4. Reducing clutter: In the military, we could only bring the most basic necessities. This made me realize that we don't need a lot of material possessions, as long as we have our basic needs covered, we can live a contented life.

These experiences taught me that minimalism is not just a design style, but also a way of life. It allows us to reduce clutter, focus on important things, build good relationships, and live a simple yet fulfilling life.