Article: How to Stick With Minimalism During the Holiday Shopping Season

[Ultralight]

I define minimalism in a very pedestrian way: not a lot of stuff. I define simplicity as not a lot of complication or clutter - stuff, processes, media input, fussiness.

I can mostly dig this!

[iris lilies]

I don't think that is how minimalism works.

Does my fishing gear kick me out of the club? Rod and reel, tackle box, cooler, canoe, paddles, anchor, PFD, minnow bucket, filet knife, skinning pliers, etc.

I don't really know what kicks people out of the club.

But your fishing gear, as you've told us, is low end and non-tech and few in number for your all consuming hobby. I deem you still a solid member of the minimalist club.

MMM doesn't CARE about being in the club, I think that's an important point.

[Ultralight]

I deem you still a solid member of the minimalist club.

Thank you, ma'am!

[kib]

Regarding points 1 and 2: How can someone be consumed by downsizing if they don't have much of anything left but the things they need? I could probably get rid of half the 150 things I have and still be okay. But it would mean I would not do as much fishing, for instance.

Regarding point 3: I think living simply is one of the "be-all-end-alls" of good behavior. I think it has massive social and personal and financial benefits. I don't think that is elitist any more than saying "People should eat a 5 servings of fresh veggies a day!"

If you are spending your days consumed with the idea of how you can cut your 150 things down to 125, and the 150 things fit in the space you have to put them and cause you no distress other than the fact that they exist in your world, my opinion is that you are obsessed in a way that is not rational. If you are at peace with your 150 things, then you're not obsessed, and minimalism is simply a way of life, not a disease.

There is a difference is between living simply (which I do agree is a good way to live), and telling everyone else that 1. they should, 2. it is easy, and 3. a minimalist (like the author of the article, presumably) is a better person because they live this lifestyle they wish to apply to everyone else. That is proselytizing.

[mschrisgo2]

Electronics/electricity use...hmm... I have an 8-yr-old MacBook (my brother gave it to me; it was "refurbished" when he bought it); a Samsung (3?) smart phone; 9 lamps (this apartment has no ceiling lights); a microwave oven, a hair dryer, and an electric hand mixer. That is my total of electricity consuming... oops! wait! the washers and dryers in the apartment complex laundry room. I'm just not into electronics, I guess, lol!

I think I've mentioned before that I've spent extended periods of time motorhoming around the country, in a 15 year old Class A motorhome that we rebuilt. We were almost always off-grid, hardly ever used hook-ups, so we were very careful with our electricity and water. After the first 3 month trip, we had been home a couple of months, when my partner commented that there must have been something wrong with our electricity bill, it was less than half of what is "should be" i.e. what we had been using prior to our trip. Truth is, we brought our conservative ways home with us! All these years later, I'm still there.

[kib]

ETA: I do put myself in the camp of "unreasonably obsessed". I probably have 50 pairs of socks. They fit just fine in the drawer, and I have no trouble finding the socks I want to wear. Still, I look at that drawer and feel anxious, annoyed, disappointed with myself, dissatisfied with my life. I need six pairs of socks. Must declutter, must declutter ... it's idiocy. It's socks, for crying out loud. But my anxiety about wanting to get rid of them reminds me of some of the things Chicken Lady has said about her anxiety about Keeping things.

Then fast-reverse to yesterday, when I spent the morning up to the elbow in the workings of my toilet, trying to get rid of a scale build-up. After a while that was an end in itself, it was so satisfying to "gather" chunks of calcium. I could get completely overboard with fishing or berrying, wanting to obtain every last bit available. This isn't normal, IMO, it's the flip side of the minimizing coin.

I totally agree with "take what you need and leave the rest" ... except for this reptilian part of my brain that says no, go to extremes!!

[pinkytoe]

I think it was about ten years ago, I declared an un-Christmas in our house. Trying to explain it to my co-workers at the time was not an easy task.

[Ultralight]

If you are spending your days consumed with the idea of how you can cut your 150 things down to 125, and the 150 things fit in the space you have to put them and cause you no distress other than the fact that they exist in your world, my opinion is that you are obsessed in a way that is not rational. If you are at peace with your 150 things, then you're not obsessed, and minimalism is simply a way of life, not a disease.

There is a difference is between living simply (which I do agree is a good way to live), and telling everyone else that 1. they should, 2. it is easy, and 3. a minimalist (like the author of the article, presumably) is a better person because they live this lifestyle they wish to apply to everyone else. That is proselytizing.

I don't feel obsessed about minimizing. Though it was fun when I was in the midst of it, but some parts were challenging too. Now, in April and May I feel obsessed with fishing! haha

I am kind of okay with telling people they should live simply. Though I don't think it actually works. But hey, people tell me to eat my veggies. It works sometimes. I let people say what they will. I am a grown up and can handle being offended. hahaha

I think the ease with which someone can live simply/minimally varies by person (their natural affinity for stuff, there friends or family, their culture, etc.). I have noticed it is by comparison very, very easy for me to be a minimalist. I am not entirely sure why.

[Ultralight]

I think I've mentioned before that I've spent extended periods of time motorhoming around the country, in a 15 year old Class A motorhome that we rebuilt. We were almost always off-grid, hardly ever used hook-ups, so we were very careful with our electricity and water. After the first 3 month trip, we had been home a couple of months, when my partner commented that there must have been something wrong with our electricity bill, it was less than half of what is "should be" i.e. what we had been using prior to our trip. Truth is, we brought our conservative ways home with us! All these years later, I'm still there.

So cool!

[Ultralight]

ETA: I do put myself in the camp of "unreasonably obsessed". I probably have 50 pairs of socks. They fit just fine in the drawer, and I have no trouble finding the socks I want to wear. Still, I look at that drawer and feel anxious, annoyed, disappointed with myself, dissatisfied with my life. I need six pairs of socks, why do I have 50 and which ones should I get rid of and and and ... it's idiocy. It's socks, for crying out loud.

Then fast-reverse to yesterday, when I spent the morning up to the elbow in the workings of my toilet, trying to get rid of a scale build-up. After a while that was an end in itself, it was so satisfying to "gather" chunks of calcium. I could get completely overboard with fishing or berrying, wanting to obtain every last bit available. This isn't normal, IMO, it's the flip side of the minimizing coin.

I totally agree with "take what you need and leave the rest" ... except for this reptilian part of my brain that says no, go to extremes!!

There is a little voice in my head when I go fishing. It tells me after a certain number of fish (usually less than the legal limit): "Okay, amigo. You've got enough. Paddle on home."

But sit me down at an Indian buffet and that voice is nowhere to be found! lol

So I quit buffets 7 or 8 months ago.