I am moving this week. Moving really helps reinforce the action behind the idea of minimizing and reducing the things I don't need. I listed a few items on craigslist earlier this week and some were sold, some weren't. The computer desk was the first thing to go. The two 32" television were next then the kayak went yesterday. I still have the telescopes, weight bench, orange racing bike and comic collection. I suppose it's a start, but I feel I could be doing more.
I will venture out later to acquire boxes from local stores. My book collection is on the fence. I have it nicely boxed up, but will I take it to the new place or to the donation center? I still haven't decided. Books are magical, but is the magic gone?
My wardrobe already was downsized a few weeks ago, but I still have to take the clothes to the donation center. I could get rid of more, but I need to be selective.
At this point I am making good progress, but I know I could be doing better. Actually moving will help me dig deep and find the things in the pile of clutter I forgot I had. The weight bench covered in laundry. The basket of old cameras under used wrapping paper in the closet. Why did I buy these things to begin with?
everything i need
Introduction
Madonna said it best "We are living in a material world and I am a material girl". That was years ago and as I look around I think it applies even more than ever to my current position in life.
I confess, I am an over-consumer. I buy things I'll never use. I buy too much and throw out the excess. I buy prepackaged ready to go fast food instead of making my own at home. I fall in love with shiny new gadgets, lusting after them and dreaming about them. I buy things just to possess them. I pack these treasures away and rarely ever look at them. I acquire. I store. I possess.
That's all about to change. I'm on a mission and it all started with someone's death. A distant relative who I never knew passed away recently and I was invited to help clean his home. I accepted and soon my wife and I were on our way to his home by the sea.
We arrived to find much of his stuff already boxed up. Books were boxed and stored on the front sidewalk. Things with little value were sent to the curb for passersby to take as they wished. Old personal records and papers were shredded in an industrial fashion. Things of value were cataloged and stored for an impending auction.
A persons entire life was being disassembled and disposed of. It made me think about my own life and the things I value. It made me think about the impact I make on my environment. It made me remember a picture I saw of Steve Jobs. Steve was sitting on the floor, on a small rug drinking tea and reading a book under a large lamp. That's all Steve had in this huge house and at the time I thought it ridiculous.
Now I realize that none of us need much more than food, shelter, clothing and security. This is the beginning of my journey to a minimal lifestyle. I will start by reducing the things I already own and stop purchasing things I don't need.
I confess, I am an over-consumer. I buy things I'll never use. I buy too much and throw out the excess. I buy prepackaged ready to go fast food instead of making my own at home. I fall in love with shiny new gadgets, lusting after them and dreaming about them. I buy things just to possess them. I pack these treasures away and rarely ever look at them. I acquire. I store. I possess.
That's all about to change. I'm on a mission and it all started with someone's death. A distant relative who I never knew passed away recently and I was invited to help clean his home. I accepted and soon my wife and I were on our way to his home by the sea.
We arrived to find much of his stuff already boxed up. Books were boxed and stored on the front sidewalk. Things with little value were sent to the curb for passersby to take as they wished. Old personal records and papers were shredded in an industrial fashion. Things of value were cataloged and stored for an impending auction.
A persons entire life was being disassembled and disposed of. It made me think about my own life and the things I value. It made me think about the impact I make on my environment. It made me remember a picture I saw of Steve Jobs. Steve was sitting on the floor, on a small rug drinking tea and reading a book under a large lamp. That's all Steve had in this huge house and at the time I thought it ridiculous.
Now I realize that none of us need much more than food, shelter, clothing and security. This is the beginning of my journey to a minimal lifestyle. I will start by reducing the things I already own and stop purchasing things I don't need.