Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things that we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. -Joshua Becker, “Simplify”
I have too much shit. Straight up.
I can’t think of any other way to describe my current situation other than stating the obvious. I have too much shit and I need to get rid of it. I don’t think I’m a hoarder but I do tend to hold on to stuff Just-In-Case. And when I sat down and was honest with myself, I realized that the Just-In-Case stuff became You-Know-Damn-Well-You-Dont-Need-This ..
I digress.
I’ve been reading Simplify by Joshua Becker where he pretty much recounts his path to minimalistic living and I felt enlightened. I took physical inventory and I was appalled at just how much stuff I had. This isn’t even including my children. I know I need to do a purge as soon as I can and I’m dedicating this weekend to get a head start down the path to becoming a minimalist.
Initially, I figured minimalists lived with only a few items, the bare of the bare necessities. (#NOBALOO sorry, I had to.) And well, some do. But given the opportunity to look at it from a different perspective, they determined what their bare necessities were. Becker explains that everyone’s minimalist style will be different and we have creative liberties to decide on what that style will be. Looking at minimalism from this angle made it easier for me to decide that not only is this something that I critically need to do, but it’s something that I feel my family and I can greatly benefit from. And once the physical is done, I’m moving on to mental minimalism.
I’m looking forward to a simpler way of life and a better, more valuable way of living for the ’99 and the 2000 2015. And I’ll be sure to keep you all posted. Here’s to the New Year — to letting go and latching on to contentment & gratefulness!
+ Simplify [Kindle Edition] $.99
+ The Simple Guide to a Clutter Free Home
+ 12 Simple Strategies to Create Space Each Day
+ Becoming Minimalist via Facebook
+ Apartment Therapy – The January Cure
“There are two ways to be rich: One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.” -Jackie French Koller
Mimi
December 29, 2014 at 10:54 pmThe 99 and the 2000 scratch out…you crazy. I am for real saying it in my head in my rapper voice.
Anywho. I’m with you. We either have to get rid of stuff or I have to learn to organize it better because the clutter is wearing me out. I am devoting this entire you to that task. I’m sick of it.
Kay
January 1, 2015 at 8:12 pmI have been cutting down for the past couple months. I have a lot of “just in case”. I got it from my mom. But like you, I’m working it all out. lol
Chymere A.
January 2, 2015 at 3:30 amMinimalist was a term that I used to shy away from, because I didn’t think that I could possibly be one with all the tangible stuff I’m attached to. But the perspective in the book you’re reading makes perfect sense: everyone defines their own minimalist style. I need to purge as well; the last time I did a good de-clutter was 2012 and I’ve accumulated so much more shit (don’t excuse my french, because that’s exactly what it is.) since then. I pride myself on being a pretty organized person for the most part and I get a bit frustrated when I come across random things that I can’t compartmentalize. Those are the things that probably don’t belong in my space honestly. And I think a lot of people are now coming to terms with the lifestyle, which is great. Wish you the best of luck with “crossing over” and hopefully I’ll be right along with you soon! xo
Shannon
January 2, 2015 at 9:48 pmI use to be the same way. When I moved last year, I hadn’t realized how bad it was until I ended up with an office cluttered with things I didn’t really need & I had nowhere else to put them (truth be told, my cellar is creepy as hell). I started slowly throwing things away and it’s made a huge difference. Being this way has also kept me from buying things that I really don’t need, which I had a very bad habit of doing.
vanessa
January 6, 2015 at 10:57 amgirl, THIS!
i hate the word hoarder but sadly, i believe that’s what i am slowly becoming.
i mean, i just recently threw out my school organizers from grade school.
i, much like you, have too much sh*t and really do try to declutter and purge but then end up snatching things back or purchasing new items in it’s place.
i need to get a hand on this book and a handle on my life, haha.
thanks for sharing and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
🙂
vanessa
Law_Fal
January 11, 2015 at 4:14 pmVery much so in need of simplification. Stuff is overwhelming. I feel like I have entirely too much and that I need get things down to what is truly necessary.
Q
January 22, 2015 at 2:00 pmLove this I’m on this quest too! And to get back to writing 🙂
bk
January 25, 2015 at 11:34 ami’ve been on the path to minimalism for a long time now. It’s a rewarding path but never a destination.
Sheyla
January 31, 2015 at 6:37 amHappy New Year!
I’m curious as to how your thesis defense went…
Keep us posted.
God bless,
Sheyla