Minimalism to me is a very simple concept that can be applied to so many things. It is losing the attachment to the unnecessary so that you can enjoy the necessary. Everyone I talk to believes you literally have to get rid of everything to be a minimalist, this is so untrue. For lack of better words it is allowing your life to take a shiet.
My best mate and fellow minimalist Dustin Richmond, came up with the idea that minimalism allows you to really enjoy everything you love to the fullest. If you applied that basic principle to your life imagine what it would be like. When you give up the excess, you have now given yourself the opportunity to experience everything you love at the highest possible quality. When all you own is a bed, why not have the most comfortable bed you can afford...if you ride a bike because you sold your car, own the bestest most durable bike on the market. See where I'm going?
Minimalism is not a radical approach, nor is it a fad...it is a a way of life and when done properly can lead to financial freedom, more time, and more happiness.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Don't live according to what ifs
Recently, I was having a conversation with my mom about minimalism. Yes, I do go around preaching the word of minimalism to all those who seek the truth. I was telling her to not live according to "what ifs", because all you end up with is more stuff and more problems. What if is the phrase you say in your head when you see that cute lime green jacket in the store (that matches nothing in your closet) or when you are planning to buy a house to have thanksgiving dinners in and fill up with those 7 kids you've planned for. People rarely ever shop for what they need, instead they shop for those just in case moments...and the same concept applies with the items you already own. I think I was reading something about this being hard wired into our brains or something, the tendency to collect things or prepare for something in the future. Like squirrels and nuts (except they need it!). This is especially true with Americans today when they buy houses, cars, clothes, and even food. I was telling my mother about the extra rooms that she has in her house, that barely have anything in them and are never used...and the reply I get with that is "what if company comes over?" or "what if I want to do crafts?"...smacks head! Most of the time company never stays long enough to use the Four Seasons suite you setup and the scrap booking time you've been meaning to set aside for the last 10 yrs is replaced by nighttime dramas on NBC. Now what did cost? An extra 20k on the mortgage + the furniture you had to buy and the upkeep. The same goes for all the stuff in your attic that you are saving for your 3yr old's children and the 1974 beater RV you never use...what ifs cost you! Whether it is time or money it is costing you something. Live your life based on what you need at that point in time, not what you think you might need. Sometimes you have to take a step back and ask yourself do you really need this or is it being saved for someone or something in the future...try it!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Go without.
People are constantly questioning the decision I made earlier this summer to get rid of majority of my stuff, and no matter what I told them, they just didn't understand. So one day I had to rethink what I was saying because obviously I wasn't saying the right thing. What I came up with was a simple explanation that explained the main reason behind such a "radical" decision, and it involved the phrase "go without". There was a time about 6 yrs ago when I wanted to save money so I took a radical approach to it...I cut up my debit card. Granted, I was living on base at the time so I lived rent free, it was still pretty intense. I went for two months without not only a debit card, but I spent absolutely no money. True story. That time period taught me two things, never cut up your debit card and that its possible to go without things that we deem so critical to our lives/survival. That's the reason why I got rid of most of my stuff, to see whether I could go without them...going without something forces you to rethink whether or not you need it in the first place. A lot of times we buy shit because societal norms tell us that we need it. When you first buy an apartment, a week doesn't even pass before you start looking for shit to put in it like a sofa, rug, tv, queen size bed, toaster, etc etc...and the bad thing about it is, we don't even think before we buy it. Going without enables you to have control over your life again, where you are the judge of what comes in and out of your life. I challenge you to go without the one thing you think you need in your house for one week...if you can function normally or your life improves, then maybe it is time to start rethinking your possessions. Warning: don't go getting rid of your toothbrush or deodorant, that is not what I mean!
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