Minimalism

[sfindependent]

My most recent ex had told me to try a minimalistic life. Or at least consider what this Japanese author (forgot the book's title) said about reducing clutter in your. I figured i'd give it a try.

 

IT'S ANXIETY INDUCING. What am i doing? Why am i doing this?!?! LOL ahahaha

[Keyman]

It's not so hard. Trying backpacking for a year and you will quickly become one.

[DancingFool]

Meh....I'm a firm believer in living your life how it feels right to you and what makes you personally happy and comfortable. For example, if an austere empty space makes you feel at peace, then by all means go for it. If it induces anxiety and depression, then it's not right for you. There are no rules really and no one golden "correct" way of being, only what is personally right for you.

[sfindependent]

a year? wow. that's crazy. what did you do? and where?

[sfindependent]

Meh....I'm a firm believer in living your life how it feels right to you and what makes you personally happy and comfortable. For example, if an austere empty space makes you feel at peace, then by all means go for it. If it induces anxiety and depression, then it's not right for you. There are no rules really and no one golden "correct" way of being, only what is personally right for you.

 

i agree. I don't like the super super minimalistic homes that you see on TV or the movies. I just realized what she was telling me may have held some truths. I do need to clear up the clutter a bit. Make room for new life in my life. #SorryNewplacenewthingsnewexperienceswhodis

[itsallgrand]

I get anxious when there is clutter or what some people simply find comfy amount of stuff.

 

Maybe she just wanted you to get rid of some stuff? Lol

[Keyman]

a year? wow. that's crazy. what did you do? and where?

 

No, that's what I was suggesting for you! I actually backpacked for 5 years. From Argentina right up South America, Central America and into the US. A bit of Europe. And then almost all over South East Asia, Australia and NZ. Note I am from NZ, so that was just to stop off and visit friends and family. I'm back in Europe now biding my time before I set out again.

 

But the others are right, live what you want to live. I prefer minimalism after my years on the road and my future travels.4

[sfindependent]

I get anxious when there is clutter or what some people simply find comfy amount of stuff.

 

Maybe she just wanted you to get rid of some stuff? Lol

 

 

hahaha probably. i am down for these kinda things, or at least try new things to make life easier. Just need to the right inspiration and the right time.

 

I live alone and im taking this as a new way or a new adventure for me, even if it's small.

 

i've got a few things lined up, or at least have started now that i'm back on the single life again. It would be nice to live in a tiny place that didn't have as much junk. I cannot bring to throw away old photos or letters and small memorabilias, but definitely cutting down on things i haven't used/ don't use and don't actually care for. I did a small section of my apartment and it took me 3 hours! pretty much the entire night. A lot of it was staring into space.

 

I came across a few things she gave me and i did feel a bit of a pang, but i moved on and slept fairly well. I just need some of these things out! Lol.

[sfindependent]

No, that's what I was suggesting for you! I actually backpacked for 5 years. From Argentina right up South America, Central America and into the US. A bit of Europe. And then almost all over South East Asia, Australia and NZ. Note I am from NZ, so that was just to stop off and visit friends and family. I'm back in Europe now biding my time before I set out again.

 

But the others are right, live what you want to live. I prefer minimalism after my years on the road and my future travels.4

 

I wish i can do that! i've way too many things going on to just drop everything. the rent here is incredible expensive (a one bedroom can fetch up to 4000.00 USD) and i've locked on a really good place for less than half that. I also have a car note, IOU's and the like that would just put me more of in a financial pickle if i did up and left.

 

Maybe someday though.

[Keyman]

I went minimalist well before travel though, curbed spending, paid off all debts and was able to fully save for a couple of years. Still, I estimate I was only spending US$2500 a year total and I wasn't on the super budget backpacking approach. Still absolutely life changing though.

[catfeeder]

Time after a breakup can be anxiety provoking no matter how you spend it. So is following someone else's prescription for living.

 

If you've decided that some clearing is desirable, I would skip envisioning any unreasonable goals, especially if they'd make you unhappy. Instead, I'd operate with two words in mind, 'Sections' and 'Projects'.

 

Home improvement stores sell small storage boxes and packing tape and markers. I'd buy a stack and use them, mainly to categorize and organize. I'd consider that not everything I toss into a box needs to stay there--I can change my mind during the course of a project.

 

Set a few labeled boxes into the middle of a room:

Trash,

Donate,

Keep Accessible,

Keep Storage

 

Line the 'Trash' and 'Donate' boxes with bags that you can pull out for easy transport. Line the 'Storage' box with a bag that you can tie shut before taping the box. Second guess anything you put in a 'Storage' box, because the goal is to reduce the number of those you'll need to fill and store.

 

The 'Keep Accessible' box can either be one box that gets sorted later using other boxes for each room, or you can set out an 'Accessible' box for each room, depending on your floor space.

 

Instead of tackling an entire room at a time, break it into 'Sections' and consider each a single 'Project'. Assign yourself only one or two Project(s) per day. For instance, this Saturday I'll clear this dresser and this end table. Then I'll meet [friend or family member] for a bite to eat and a walk in the park.

 

Regardless of how many projects you complete in a single day, I'd make it my goal to take out the bags inside the Trash and Donate boxes by the end of each day--maybe making multiple trips to get the stuff OUT.

 

You may find that the more stuff that goes OUT, the less anxiety you feel, because the space you're creating--an empty dresser or a closet you can move in--opens new and inspiring ideas for how you might organize your 'Keep Accessible' stuff to actually keep it accessible.

 

Head high, and write more if it helps.