Lately I’ve been keen on the idea of moving out and living in a different city. Actually, a different country. When I think about the dynamics of moving to a different home, I end up wanting to stop thinking about it. I have a lot of stuff and I have no idea how on earth I’d take them all with me.
It’s like my daily life, really. I somehow think I carry the heaviest handbag in the world. I take everything with me — the above picture doesn’t really demonstrate that — and I am a firm believer in bringing the what-if kit with you at all times. Almost 100% of the time, I never need all of them. Sometimes, I find myself taking my notebook out and lying to myself that I would write something so I at least feel it serves its purpose.
I guess it’s safe to say I’ve got baggage. And I want to get rid of it!
I started reading up on Minimalism and found that blogs are the most helpful. It’s funny how most of these people are the same save-the-world, yoga-doing, vegan individuals I’ve always identified with. I’m no vegan, of course, and I don’t think I ever will be because I love meat! I had no idea there were so many blogs that talked about this kind of lifestyle.
At the risk of sounding insufferable and pretentious, I have some ideas that I’d like to share. I don’t think they came straight from the bible of Minimalism but they are the principles that would work best for me.
An “I don’t want anything” mindset
That Amazon wishlist? Those weekly newsletters from Urban Outfitters? No, thank you. Scrapping those wishlists would decrease the risk of acquiring more things. I have enough clothes. I have been forcing myself to save some money since the year began. It was difficult for me, as I’m both a compulsive and an impulsive shopper. But I felt rewarded after looking at the expense chart that I designed since I started the ban.
LOL.
It’s good to know you have money saved up somewhere. I’m starting to feel like I can afford the things I really need.
Everything Must Go
Well, not everything. But there are definitely things here that are better off with a new owner. I’ve never sold anything I owned. I guess that would make me some kind of hoarder, but it also hasn’t been a culture in this household. I don’t remember us ever holding a garage sale. We do give stuff away if our closets get a little too crowded.
The problem here is other than my unread books, I don’t think a lot of my (or our) stuff are good buys. I’m not exactly careful with my things. The bigger problem here is letting go. The reason most of us keep things is we feel like we will need them someday. In order to solve that, I guess we need to conjure a mental image of the life we want in our future. I definitely don’t see myself keeping those uncomfortable heels for the rest of my life — off you go! These film canisters are not serving their alternative storage purpose, so it may be best to donate them to the local film shop.
Easier said than done, as always. I’m still waiting for the moment I make my first sale. I think I’m going through my closet first because I feel a fashion show is in order.
Collection Is Done By Garbage Trucks
I vow to not collect anything that is not in digital format. Collecting would probably be the worst thing I can do right now. I have no use for it and the only Guinness I care about is the one that is brewed.
Just by incorporating the above into my life, I already feel like a minimalist! Attitude is the first step.
Lastly, I’d like to take note of the blogs I’ve been following recently. More than inspiration, they provide me with tips and countless how-to’s:
Zen Habits and Mnmlist by Leo Babauta
Castles In The Air by Nina Yau
Miss Minimalist by Francine Jay
Living Minimal by Martijn Klitsie