Becoming a minimalist?
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- cannonball19780
Id like to say im minimalist but im probably more "reductive utilitarian"
- I consider myself a dadaist.ORAZAL
- I'm probably more of a nihilist.
http://bavatuesdays.…ukit2
- doesnotexist0
it's more about the design process and refining ideas to their most simple form. in design speak it's quite elitist.
- benfal990
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You need to check this out :http://www.theminimalists.com
https://www.facebook.com/themini…- -
"ABOUT THE MINIMALISTS
It all started with a lingering discontent. A few years ago, while approaching age 30, we had achieved everything that was supposed to make us happy: great six-figure jobs, nice cars, big houses with more bedrooms than inhabitants, pointless masses of toys, and scads of superfluous stuff.And yet with all that stuff, we weren’t satisfied with our lives. We weren’t happy. There was a gaping void. And working 70-80 hours a week for a corporation and buying even more stuff didn’t fill the void. In fact, it only brought more debt and stress and anxiety and fear and loneliness and guilt and overwhelm and depression.
What’s worse, we didn’t have control of our time and thus didn’t control our own lives. So in 2010 we took back control using the principles of minimalism to focus on what’s important." (read the rest on the website)
- melq0
Some resources you might like:
Sarah Susanka has written a lot about joyfully living in small spaces
http://www.notsobighouse.com/An interesting TED Talk by Graham Hill
http://www.npr.org/2014/02/14/26…Website dedicated to simple living
http://lovingsimpleliving.com/There's a subreddit for everything
http://www.reddit.com/r/simpleli…
- benfal990
^^
on http://lovingsimpleliving.com/ you can read :
"I went from being stressed and unsure of my salvation and place on earth to knowing I am loved and accepted by God and understanding that knowing this is enough."
- Fax_Benson0
sounds like a euphemism.
- for not being satisfied? or for seeking satisfaction?doesnotexist
- BaskerviIle0
My two cents:
For me it's not about being minimal per se, it's more about curating very carefully what you need.
Over the years I've learned that the objects that consistently give me the most use and joy are tools that allow me to create.
The rest is just consumption. I try to be a producer who makes new things, brings new things into the world, as opposed to just consuming what's out there.It's also important to make sure you buy well made objects that will last years, and not disposable crap.
A tool that last you a lifetime becomes an essential thing to own.
Trends and fads come and go, but something that consistently allows you to create everyday is worth having.Just ask yourself when you think you want something: 'can I make new things with it?' or is it an end unto itself, do you just want it for objectification's sake?
- < 100%monospaced
- right. yes. minimalism isn't the goal it's the result.doesnotexist
- benfal990
I have a plan to clean up my house soon, i will trash, give and sell all the shit I don't need/use. a real cleanup, i want my apartment to be as minimalist as possible with only the essential stuff. No more piling stuff.
- colin_s0
i've never owned more than i could fit in my car (99 subaru impreza coupe) and move away with at any time.
(or rather, never owned anything i couldn't live without. right now i have a bed and a couch i could just leave.)
it's not a bad way to live.
- whatthefunk0
I'm in the process of moving out of Brooklyn right now and with books, paintings/prints, papers, computers, televisions, printer, hard drives, surround sound systems, furniture, knick knacks, 5 computer monitors, 2 cats, girlfriend's stuff, clothes, vacuum, iron, ironing boards, shoes, boots, coats, suits, towels, linens, silverware, plates, cups, knives, pots/pans, and all other stuff I just can't imagine ever truly being a minimalist. I dig the aesthetic but it doesn't seem realistic for me.
Sounds like a pursuit for those with either no money or too much money.
- Truck Cubic Feet ². % by Moving cost = per cubic foot cost. sell anything you can buy for the = cost of cubic foot cost.yurimon
- cannonball19780
I moved recently and threw away half of my things. It's like getting a life haircut.
- cannonball19780
my recommendation is getting 3-4 large expensive things (bed, couch, table, large wall art) and then everything else fits within the nice but looseable category—notice I don't mean disposable (those things are usually shit)/ Also see how many non-plastic things you can buy-improves the quality of possessions.
- Presta0
Kind of timely that you bring this up.
I've always been a person that doesn't like clutter, having clean spaces, etc. But over the past month, I've taken it a step further and I've decided to go ultra-minimalist, for a few reasons:
- I want to be able to resume my travels easily (and lightly!)
- I don't want to have to think about my old belongings, sitting boxes, taking up space somewhere, most of which I never use or look at.
- I'd rather focus on health, experiences, and people rather than accumulating objects for temporary gratification.I have the privilege of being able to work from anywhere I want (I design for a company from my laptop), so I'm taking full advantage of this. I'll be in two European countries for nine months of the year, and back in the USA for the remaining three months to check up on my rental property, see family, and for the bike racing season. This cycle will repeat annually. I'll be selecting a new city(ies) in Europe each year.
Everything that I own will fit into this carry-on bag and bike bag.
I've already gotten rid many things (even "sentimental" objects like my college graduation gown and cap). I can actually fit everything I own in those two bags above right now. There's one small box in the corner of my bedroom of objects that I'll sell/donate. I feel freer and more focused with every object I've thrown out. It truly declutters your mind at the same time.
All paper documents are scanned and in the cloud using this phone app https://www.camscanner.com. I have a typed list of every object that I'll take with me when I go back to Europe next year. It's at about 60 things, including all of my cycling gear. The smallest items, such as Chapstick, are even listed.
Lots of good videos out there. Check out Colin Wright. The Minimalists are decent.
Joseph Rodrigues:
This guy has good videos:
This lifestyle isn't for everyone, and is obviously harder to travel and keep clutter down if you have a spouse and kids. But it's working for me so far.
- nb0