Living the Minimalist Lifestyle

I have been on a minimalist theme for a few years. I move and people always give me so much crap that things are accumulated so fast. Especially with kids.

I don't find the kids actually need a lot of stuff but people get it anyway.

I think for me one of the ways it manifests is in what I bring into my space. I'm not the best at throwing things away but I'm really good at not buying things I don't need. I definitely prefer to use experiences for entertainment, exercise, etc. and find ways of doing things that will not bring more clutter into my space.

I think this manifests in the realm of mental clutter too...when it comes to things I read about or watch, things I do, people I hang around, etc.

It doesn't mean I don't have things I don't absolutely need to survive, but I don't have things I don't use or don't have things and not know that I have them. Actually, right now I do, but when I move into my own space again that will change.

 

I do see myself as a minimalist. I only have my computer and some clothes. I like the idea of being able to just pack a few things into a backpack and leave whenever I want to (which I have done a few times). I don't get attached to material things and I love it that way. I also can't stand clutter. It's bad feng shui.

 

I live a camping lifestyle that sort of imposes a minimalist way of being on me. What I mean by that is that I didn't begin with minimalism as a goal; it just sort of comes with the lifestyle I've chosen and I'm really fine with that.

 

I might be on that path. I don't get digital clutter minimalism honestly, which is what I see a lot of online. Or brand name minimalism. When I honestly think of minimalism, I think of the very basics of everything, not $2500 computer systems, or expensive clothes. When I think of it, I think of Japhy in Dharma Bums, not some person who doesn't even own dishes to eat from but has $5000 worth of electronics and no sleeping bag.
you guys are inspiring.

 

I had to throw away all my furniture because of bedbugs.

now i just have a couple of plastic lawn chairs in the livingrooom

 

I guess it depends on what you consider 'clutter'. Some of the people on here have been talking about stuff they have thrown that had a lot of happy memories for them...that makes me sad.

'Stuff' isn't a BAD thing. Having happy memories attached to precious knick knacks you own really isn't a bad thing. Sure, if you have a whole of stuff you never use that just sits there and doesn't bring you any pleasure - by all means get rid of it, but I don't see the point of getting rid of things that make you happy.

Or maybe I am just missing something with this whole 'minimalist' thing. Like the OP, I don't have a dishwasher, use a secondhand cell phone, have 2 drawers of clothes and I don't own a car at all!

It's just how my life has turned out.

 

when I was single I had a futon, my clothes, a CD player, some CDs and some books. I had two laundry baskets; one for clean, one for dirty. when the dirty basket was full I would take it to the Chinese Laundry who would wash and fold. no TV, I lived with a room mate in a furnished apartment. my vehicle was the work truck. the only radio I listened to was public or community, no TV, no newspapers.

 

Good morning everyone

 

I own far less possessions than most Americans, but that's not saying much. I reduce and recycle, but I am nowhere near calling myself a minimalist, but I do strive for it.
my mother was a hoarder and I can't stand clutter, junk, being tied down. I moved from home to home in my teens and learned to only hold onto what I could carry.

 

I have been claiming to be a minimalist for along time...all I have is a computer,car,dog.The rest of my stuff can fit into about 4 or 5 boxes.My chair is from the goodwill and my bed a handy me down.The only thing that I'm finding that I dont need is my car.When I move I keep a few personal things everything else goes back to family.

 

my goal is to live aboard a boat to live simply and more freely.