Minimalism

[MollyConnor]

I really like the minimalist life. I find it very interesting and Biblical too. I'm thinking of getting rid of my bed and getting a loft instead (with drawers and a desk underneath). This way it wouldn't take up so much room. I'm also thinking about getting rid of my tv and PS3.

I just think that I buy too many things that I don't need. And I think this is a huge American problem, especially with women. Not all American women are like this of course. But a good chunk are. I could be using that money for my savings or helping others less fortunate. I don't know...I guess I just feel wrong.

And I don't go out shopping everyday either. I barely go actually. But when I do buy things, I notice that I hardly use them.

What do you think of the minimalist lifestyle?
What are some things you feel that you don't need, but others would go crazy without? Any thoughts on the topic are welcome.

 

[Lynx]

Minimalism can be a good thing... or it can be a bad thing. We are to exercise moderation in all things, and one can be extreme even in pursuit of minimalism.

Televisions are becoming obsolete, for sure. And I know a lot of women who have way too many shoes... >.> And everybody I know (including myself) has many more clothes, dishes, cups, etc. than they will ever need. And I see a lot of people riding a big mower around their small yard.

Just don't you dare say anything about my four laptops.

 

[Willie-T]

I admit I may not need both the boats, and the six stationary saws might be a bit of overkill but the airplane and motorcycle are "must haves."

 

[melita916]

i have lots of shoes.

i keep buying books.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

I don't even know what I have as it's all over my parents' house

I could never give up my bed though, it's the only way for me to sleep through the night

 

[NukePooch]

I've been this way for a while. I haven't owned a TV since before 2001, always had at least one computer, though.

My dad is a pack rat, and I've gone the other way...if I haven't used it in 6 months to a year, I get rid of it. My dad is still finding stuff that is 'mine' that I put in the 'go to goodwill' pile before they moved from Tennessee 5 years ago. I've learned that I need to get rid of it myself, rather than trust that he'll do it for me.

 

[seoulsearch]

Hi Molly!

Great topic .

I have often dreamed of paring down everything I own into a couple of backpacks and being able to travel the world with literally everything I own on my back. I've also thought about buying one of those "tiny houses", but personally (just my own opinion) find them impractical, because I could buy a double-wide manufactured house for about the same price.

And, let's face it. I'm also not crazy about the idea of a composting toilet. I'm a die-hard flusher.

I love the IDEA of minimalism but find that for myself, there is a line between scaling back to the point of being impractical.

Several years ago I visited a relative in another country, and packed everything I needed in a deluxe school-sized backpack and small tote bag. But to me, this was borderline, because I found myself constantly having to wash my clothes in the sink, letting them air dry, and always worrying about whether they'd be dry in time (walking all day in damp clothes, especially socks, in cold, blustery weather is neither fun nor healthy).

Another time I lived with relatives for about 4 months and took everything I needed (including one bag of all books for entertainment, seeing as they didn't allow TV, movies, or streaming) in 2 backpacks and 2 carry-on bags. I loved having minimal things to keep track of; I hated not having access to any of my other hobbies, which I had to leave in storage.

I'm still trying to find a balance between over-consumerism and minimalism. I work 6 days a week, so for me, having only enough clothes to get through, say 4 days, is just not realistic. I want enough work clothes to be able to make it through at least a full week while still having something to wear when while doing laundry. I also want to be able to justify the expensive of doing a load of laundry.

My other problem is that I tend to gravitate towards hobbies that take up a lot of space and require a lot of gadgets, such as sewing. It can be possible to do with minimal equipment but I have to admit that I've amassed quite a collection of tools over the years. However, I've also held back from pursuing other hobbies I'd love to dabble in because of the time, space, and resources they would require.

Many people here know that I was adopted when I was very young. As an adult, I was able to go back to my old orphanage and meet several kids waiting for families. It broke my heart. I don't shop much--I usually just like to look--and I've gotten to a point where I think to myself, "Hmm... I could buy myself another (insert item I don't really need here), or I could sponsor another child from the place that helped me."

To my shame, I sometimes really have to fight myself.

But sometimes it's not even really a choice when you've seen little faces come up to you and look at you like you're a famous celebrity... Just because that child knows you have a family... and that little soul is hoping someday they'll be just like you.

 

[RodB65]

I'm working on being a minimalist. Gotta have my books, coffee, and coffee cups though!

 

[JonahLynx]

I've been having the same mentality lately but it's difficult being content with what you have when everyone else tries to say you don't have enough or you need to set goals for this-and-that. I don't get rid of things, just don't have the same ambitions that characterize the 21st century lol.

 

[wisebeardman]

don't need to be a "minimalist" just got to be smart.

spending $400 for a ps3, dumb. spending $20 on a working used ps3, perfect.

99.9% of the stuff I own I got it used, ether cheap or free. some of it did not work when i got it and I made it work

 

[Yahweh_is_gracious]

I've always been a minimalist. It's just how I was raised.

My only real excesses are my books and my sporting goods. I could probably thin those out some and might as I get closer to moving to my cabin full time. I'll only have 480 square feet to live in with al my belongings, so I will need to have carefully decided what is and is not necessary for life.

 

[Hellooo]

I try to be mindful of collecting experiences over things.

 

[MollyConnor]

I don't even know what I have as it's all over my parents' house

I could never give up my bed though, it's the only way for me to sleep through the night

Haha yeah...I mean a loft with a bed on top. On the bottom I would have my dresser and desk. Kinda like this one.

don't need to be a "minimalist" just got to be smart.

spending $400 for a ps3, dumb. spending $20 on a working used ps3, perfect.

99.9% of the stuff I own I got it used, ether cheap or free. some of it did not work when i got it and I made it work

Eh...that's a matter of opinion. I don't like used stuff. I've tried thrift shopping and it all smells so bad to me.
I would rather buy cheap clothes at Wal-Mart or Dollar General than get nicer things that are used. But that's just my opinion.
Also, my PS3 was $200 not $400.

 

[Willie-T]

Material possessions take GUTS.

Give it away,
Use it,
Throw it away...... or
Sell it.

 

[seoulsearch]

Eh...that's a matter of opinion. I don't like used stuff. I've tried thrift shopping and it all smells so bad to me.
I would rather buy cheap clothes at Wal-Mart or Dollar General than get nicer things that are used. But that's just my opinion.
Also, my PS3 was $200 not $400.

I have to agree with you there, Molly.

For some reason, I usually don't like used things either, especially clothes.

Not to sound too graphic or distrustful, but you just don't know what people have done with the things you're buying.

I know you could probably say that about most anything, but I'm hoping that when I buy "new" clothes, they haven't been worn by someone else who made out with 20 guys in backseats before I bought it, or that the table I'm buying hasn't been used to play with a ouija board, etc.

Maybe I'm just too paranoid. But these are the kinds of things I think about when I see used stuff, unless it's a rare exception (like hand-me-down furniture from my parents.)

 

[Hellooo]

Used mattress available, any takers?

 

[seoulsearch]

Used mattress available, any takers?

Exactly.

I totally admire people who live off thrift store finds.

But I guess I'm a snob that way--I save up and buy mostly unused (hopefully!!!) things.

 

[Dino246]

I admit I may not need both the boats, and the six stationary saws might be a bit of overkill but the airplane and motorcycle are "must haves."

Six stationary saws? At least! Two bandsaws (different blades, one set for resawing), two tablesaws (one for dados), a scroll saw, and a chop saw. All good! Oh, and the metal-cutting bandsaw and the meat-cutting bandsaw...

 

[seoulsearch]

Six stationary saws? At least! Two bandsaws (different blades, one set for resawing), two tablesaws (one for dados), a scroll saw, and a chop saw. All good! Oh, and the metal-cutting bandsaw and the meat-cutting bandsaw...

Would we still be considered minimalists if we had the guys with meat saws in this thread cut us all a nice steak?

After all, I'm a wanna-be minimalist... Not a vegetarian.

 

[Hellooo]

Does anyone else have a mother who had soaps/perfumes/lotions/candles for "decoration". Or grow up with designated furniture that you weren't allowed to even sit on?

If I have a candle, I'm going to burn it!