Less is More: Minimalism and Simple Living
For the past few years I have followed the growing trend of simple living and minimalism. I'm probably not ready for tiny houses or extreme forms of minimalism, especially with a wife and two young boys, but I do believe in the potential for increased well-being and peace by consuming less and having less material objects.
What Are The Benefits of Having Less?
Having less stuff has host of benefits for most people. Here are some of potential benefits:
1. Spend less time organizing, cleaning, and looking for stuff
When you have less, you spend less time managing your stuff, which frees up time for things that you enjoy or truly care about. You can also find what you need when you need it.
2. Feel more content with the things you have
Having less stuff helps you appreciate and feel more content with what you actually have. This is especially true if you get rid of stuff that you don't love or that doesn't serve an important need.
3. Live more environmentally responsible
Material goods are cheaper and more accessible than ever, but this comes with an environmental impact. Not only does the manufacturing, shipping, and packaging of most modern consumer items have significant environmental costs, but the items themselves often end up in landfills.
4. Actually use the stuff you have
Have you ever came across something that you loved but forgot that you had? I have. If you have less stuff, you will happily use and wear out the things that you have and love.
5. Live a simpler happier life
Living a simpler and happier life is a broad statement, but most people who have made significant efforts to reduce stuff and clutter in their lives would unequivocally agree with this benefit. In a world where we are constantly told that owning this or that will make enjoy life more, the exact opposite is usually true.
My Daily Challenge: Get Rid of 5 Things A Day
I decided go back to the simplicity mindset this week by getting rid of 5 things a day, for a total of 35 items this week. I didn't think this would be very difficult, and it wasn't, but I wanted to jump-start an family effort to have simple and clean surroundings, and to avoid having or buying unnecessary consumer goods.
What Do I Get Rid Of?
There are three guiding principles that I use when determining whether something should be donated or tossed:
1. Do I love it? (or at least strongly like it)
2. Do I need it?
3. When in doubt, throw it out.
If I don't love or need something, I should probably get rid of it. If I'm vacillating and feeling unsure, I use the "when in doubt, throw it out" mantra.
Day 1
I jumped right in and starting looking for items that I don't love and don't need. Here is what I got rid of:
1. 2 pairs of "OC Parks" promotional sunglasses.
2. Expired California State Parks Explorer Pass
3. Keys to an old bike lock that I don't have anymore
4. Irvine Valley College branded "Power Pack" for phone charging
5. Sunglasses case
Day 2
I continued searching through drawers and found more unnecessary and unused items such as:
6. Umbrella stroller
7. 2 Throw pillows
8. 2 Baby sunhats
9. Set of toddler no-spill plastic cups.
10. Pair of baby mittens
Day 3
11. 7 old t-shirts
12. Coffee tumbler cup
13. Reusable swim diaper
14. 2 toddler swim suits
15. Dog-themed kids beanie
Day 4
16. 2 Pairs of men's dress slacks
17. Old pair of New Balance running shoes
18. Brand new dress shoes that are uncomfortable.
19. Sanuk lounge shoes
20. Fidget spinner
Day 5
21. Broken 30 GB iPod Video
22. Massage roller stick
23. iPad kickstand
24. 2 30 pin iPhone USB cables
25. iPhone 4s case
Day 6
26. Leather table coaster
27. Nikon School DVD
28. My old retainer that I don't use anymore
29. Floating water gun for the pool
30. Falling apart soccer goal
Day 7
31. Kid's worn out running shoes
32. Dress socks
33. 3 Workout T-shirts
34. 2 Shorts
35. Broken picture frame
Next Steps
I threw away the worthless items from the list above, and took the more valuable items that could use a new home and dropped them off at the local Salvation Army donation warehouse.
I plan to continue to purge unnecessary stuff from our home in the coming weeks to create a simpler happier life. The bigger challenge will be to work together with my wife to avoid refilling our home with unnecessary items and impulse purchases.
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