Lifestyle of The Minimalist?

My wife and I spent a couple of weekends working around the house on junk removal. We moved into our house quickly and really didn’t have the time to sort through items. We’ve accumulated over thirty years and it was time to seek the help of a waste removal service.

I’ve read a lot recently about writers who become minimalists. Minimalists are people who sell or do away with nearly everything they own. This allows the freedom to relocate, travel and reduce living costs dramatically. Less distraction equals increased focus on what matters in your art or life!

Lifestyle of the Minimalist

·        No vehicle, car payment, insurance, gas, upkeep and repairs.

·        No house payment, insurance, upkeep, services, appliances and taxes.

·        No TV and monthly cable costs.

·        No excessive waste of resources.

·        Wages become less a factor.

As you can see this eliminates some of the largest expenses during a lifetime. Instead try renting a small apartment with minimal furnishings or travel the world. A laptop could be used for entertainment, reading and writing. Minimalistic living sounds simple, especially if you’re single, young and want to experience life.

Would this lifestyle work for us? Only if we had several storage sheds to keep many of our possessions from our childhoods, hobbies, activities, books, and music. It’s nice to know if things become desperate, instead of feeling like we're trapped; we have the ability to become instantly mobile. This actually opens many new possibilities for experiencing the fulfillment of life.

Wait a minute. Oh yeah, all the critters, what would become of them? I guess we will have to wait a few more years.

Those with the Least Toys Aren’t Broke

I’ve worked around several people who retired early (and wealthy) just from driving a motor scooter, riding buses or walking to work and shop. We always thought of those folks as odd. I now know they saw the world differently and their goals were successful.

Those folks were early stage minimalists, never caring to follow the pack or keep up with their friends and neighbors. Their reward was early retirement and freedom from saving money.

The new lifestyle is an alternative to work or travel, go wherever you want, whenever you feel the urge. No strings, nothing holding you back-just a huge world in front of you! Interesting concept.

One Man’s Junk…

The folks offering junk removal are making a good business in recent years due to scrap metal prices and home foreclosures. Trash removal was once thought of as a dirty business. In recent years it has become quite lucrative.Today's waste management services aren't like Sanford and Son. 

I must admit there is a certain feeling of power throwing away junk into a waste container. The house is more organized, I can find my way through the basement and it was invigorating to separate yourself from things with no real value. Clothing and items of any value can be donated or sold on eBay. Scrap materials can be sold. Perhaps a new side business could be started with some increased knowledge and a truck.

Keeping up with the Jones’s (they’re broke too)

It’s ironic how we follow the crowd and attempt to keep up with the Jones’s. We become so ingrained in our lifestyle never noticing the forest through the trees! Spending money and living broke. 

Hoarding?

During the process I found it easier to relate how a hoarder must feel with an insurmountable task of sorting, decisions, stress and guilt. Not an easy job!

We figured we are getting older and why keep objects never used? If we want to become minimalists or move, the next step will be less cumbersome!

So roll up your sleeves, go through closets, shelves, drawers and cubbyholes. See what treasures you can find. Discover what you could give to someone in need. The rest of the objects are placeholders, occupiers of free space, most commonly known as junk!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

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