When the complexity of life overwhelms me, I turn to simplicity. Eliminate all the decisions I have to make during the day. Not being able to choose is liberating! But only for a limited time. That's why I've decided to put everything I own in boxes.
MINIMALISM IS THE WAY OF MY LIFE, WHICH I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW. TO HAVE ONLY FUNCTIONAL, ESSENTIAL THINGS THAT ENRICH ME. POSSIBLY MAKE ME HAPPY!
I'm certain you're not hearing this from me for the first time. There are plenty of ways to reduce the number of things you own. This is just one of many, and perhaps the most common.
I'm not going to tell you how to do it here. I'm just going to share my perspective on minimalism and why I purge my life on a regular basis. And I really think that regularity is important in this case. Life's journey usually consists of a series of small steps and decisions. However, from time to time it is necessary to do a big cleanup. Both in your valuables and in your head.
And it was my head that made me think about what I am currently doing with my life. What I'm emphasizing and where I'm going. Everyone wants to be happy. I'm no exception. But I also know that I won't be happy unless I grow internally, educate myself. This growth is not related to the growth of property. I don't need more money if I don't have quality relationships. That was the first realization.
RELATIONSHIPS • BUSINESS • PHOTOGRAPHY
From this I derived the three main components of my life. Building and maintaining quality relationships. Doing work that I enjoy and find fulfilling. And pursuing photography, which I consider my only real hobby and allows me to be creative.
All the components can be done without money. They are important for life, but they are not the foundation. That is the right mind set. Prioritizing and taking time for yourself. I can even say living in the present moment. Appreciate the little things. Putting emphasis on communicating with your own body, living healthy. Live happily!
After just two weeks of putting everything in boxes, I realized. I don't even use a third of everything I own on a regular basis. Don't get me wrong. I don't have that much useless stuff. I've pretty well eliminated hoarding. But I don't need everything on a daily basis. It's also good to realize how much I have seasonally. Possibly for a specific purpose like climbing. Occasionally it takes a bit of realizing if I'm no longer engaging in some activities as I used to. And if it's time to give it up to make room for something new. And it would make moving easier at the same time.
The thought of being able to pack a backpack and be able to travel has left me. This idea is lovely for a few weeks. I don't want to base my life on it. However, having a cleaned apartment and only seeing what I need on a daily basis is welcome. It will keep my living space clean. Better prepared for cleaning. And I won't have to decide what to wear. Or what to reach for. Just limited options on quality ones. Including quality time. Like a book. Keeping the rest of the seasonal stuff nicely stored out of sight and also limiting it to the essentials.
And if I don't know if something should stay or go one house down. I'd put it in a box and if I don't pull it out within a month, I probably don't need it. Every minimalist should own a box like that. Maybe a visitor could look in there and take what they deem necessary to own. The thing will thus get a new owner and we will be happier for having gifted our friend.