7-Day Challenge: Minimalism
This week I have decided to focus on minimalism. I never really thought about how much "stuff" I was accumulating until I moved some things to storage. Holy s**t! I have more than enough items. Do I think that people should never spend or buy things? No. But, I want to see what it's like to focus on being present and here rather than on what I want to buy. Plus, my wallet will surely thank me. This will be a huge challenge because I am a sucker for samples. If it is something I will use, then I'll take it, but other than that, I will, "...just say no."
Today is the first day of this week-long challenge, and there are so many thoughts running through my head. Am I over-thinking this? Are the associations I am making valid? What is consumerism saying about us as humans and as a society? Why do I keep things thinking I'll use them later, but in reality I never do? Do "things" really make us happy? Why am I so organized with work and school, but not at home? Will this help increase my productivity?
I never used to associate possessions with the many facets of health. They were always separate. The older I get, the more I realize that "things" may really be affecting my health in more ways than one. There are times when I look around and think that I will go crazy because of all of the clutter. Or, I look at what I have and realize how grateful I am for everything. And then there are times when I wonder why I have so much. Maybe if I scaled down my inventory, I would be happier overall. Not just because the space would be less cluttered, but there would be less distractions, and I could really focus on just being. Not to mention the money saved that could be put towards a trip or something really special. Do you think I'm taking this a little too seriously? Moving on...
It is the first day. Today I will focus on de-cluttering my sleeping area. It's kind of an odd setup, and there isn't much space. That being said, I have managed to cram a ridiculous amount of items in this crazy-small space. After watching tiny house/small space videos, I've gotten a better idea of how I want to go about clearing this area. First I will take stock on what I have. Then, I will make piles of what I need to keep, donate, and toss. Until I return...
An hour later, and I already have a trash bag of things I can donate! The items consist mostly of clothes, but it's a start. I love to buy shirts (pants/bottoms, not so much), and I have some that I completely forgot I had. Many were given to me during CES, and I realized that I've never worn most of them. Maybe someone else can benefit from the shirts I have decided to donate.
Monday: Random Thoughts
Today is the first day of this week-long challenge, and there are so many thoughts running through my head. Am I over-thinking this? Are the associations I am making valid? What is consumerism saying about us as humans and as a society? Why do I keep things thinking I'll use them later, but in reality I never do? Do "things" really make us happy? Why am I so organized with work and school, but not at home? Will this help increase my productivity?
I never used to associate possessions with the many facets of health. They were always separate. The older I get, the more I realize that "things" may really be affecting my health in more ways than one. There are times when I look around and think that I will go crazy because of all of the clutter. Or, I look at what I have and realize how grateful I am for everything. And then there are times when I wonder why I have so much. Maybe if I scaled down my inventory, I would be happier overall. Not just because the space would be less cluttered, but there would be less distractions, and I could really focus on just being. Not to mention the money saved that could be put towards a trip or something really special. Do you think I'm taking this a little too seriously? Moving on...
It is the first day. Today I will focus on de-cluttering my sleeping area. It's kind of an odd setup, and there isn't much space. That being said, I have managed to cram a ridiculous amount of items in this crazy-small space. After watching tiny house/small space videos, I've gotten a better idea of how I want to go about clearing this area. First I will take stock on what I have. Then, I will make piles of what I need to keep, donate, and toss. Until I return...
An hour later, and I already have a trash bag of things I can donate! The items consist mostly of clothes, but it's a start. I love to buy shirts (pants/bottoms, not so much), and I have some that I completely forgot I had. Many were given to me during CES, and I realized that I've never worn most of them. Maybe someone else can benefit from the shirts I have decided to donate.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: Less is More?
I've been watching a lot of movies throughout the decades, and even in film, you can see the hike in consumerism just in the props. I am learning that less really may be more in some cases. Over the past three days, I went through boxes that ha been stored in the garage. I found three HUGE storage boxes of items to donate. While part of me would like to sell off what I can, my heart says to donate. I will be taking some items down to Skid Row, and the rest will go to Out of the Closet. Seeing so many items really makes me realize how much I have. It also forces me to see how much I've spent over time. While the majority of items were given to me, a fair amount are items I've purchased. My next venture will be to go through the shed.
Friday: Still a Work in Progress
It's Friday! The weekend is upon us, and the house is decorated just in time for the holidays. I am still sifting through everything I have accumulated. There is a "keep" box, "donate" box, and "trash" pile. Thus far, the donation box has grown exponentially, and there has been little to toss. Items I thought I would keep ended up needing a new home, as I no longer use them. I did find a few appliances I was looking for. The only thing I'm focused on now is finding a particular collection, and making sure I don't start the cycle of accumulation again.
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