21–30 of 332 posts
It's a great freeing feeling, and I'm not one that gets sentimental over inanimate objects.
Anyone care to share some good minimalism-related resources?
I don't live quite like this, but I feel similarly about gifts: I far prefer them to be practical rather than decorative or frivolous. I've realised that people can get slightly upset when I explain it to them. They want to buy me something fun, something I'll "enjoy". Chances are I won't, although I do of course appreciate the sentiment. Equally, I find it more satisfying to buy a "useful" gift for others. And of co…
Refrigerator door culture. At some point in life you will no longer be permitted not to have magnets on your fridge. I made it until I got married. Weaponized clothes are a thing too. Everyone knows nobody likes getting someone elses choice of clothes as a gift, especially not kids, but it is a socially acceptable weapon to kinda "get" the recipient. More a slap to the face than a punch to the face, but none the less…
Not wanting "stuff" is a gamble that your present and future is secure and safe. Having been homeless at one point, I've become a bit of a hoarder, because you never know when things will go south and you are one month away from being homeless (again). Also we'll see how often you keep erasing things and starting from scratch as you get older and find that remembering things is a lot harder and takes a lot longer to…
Not wanting "stuff" is a gamble that your present and future is secure and safe. Having been homeless at one point, I've become a bit of a hoarder, because you never know when things will go south and you are one month away from being homeless (again). Also we'll see how often you keep erasing things and starting from scratch as you get older and find that remembering things is a lot harder and takes a lot longer to…
It goes both ways, though, doesn't it? Now you need to find a larger apartment to keep around your dining table, toilet paper collection, books. Was that worth keeping them around? Some things yes, other things no.
That said, the ability to retake space is soooooo worth it. My Kindle has dozens of books, magazines, and long form articles. Over the long term, I have saved volumes of physical space and pounds of weight.
While I miss the physical look of having rows of beautiful books decorate a place, I don't mind having more open space for my psyche and other activities (music).
I don't think I've lived in a house for longer than two years in my entire life. I've lived in different cities, provinces, and even countries. I naturally keep the amount of "stuff" that I own down to an amount that can be packed up into one car/truck load. I love the sense of freedom that comes with being able to pick up and go somewhere else in a day.
I also share the thoughts on gifts. Christmas time a Birthdays I always tell people to not get me anything and I their gift to me is a good dinner and time spent with each-other. If they have to get me something then it's the essentials like clothing or consumables. I like having a small set of core, quality items such as my clothing, cameras, and laptop/phone. Everything else is temporary.
Come family time this will change, but for now I'm happy living simply.