The MLP Arena
Pony Talk => Off Topic => Topic started by: SourdoughStomper on January 25, 2018, 05:00:03 PM
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Is anyone here into minimalism? The idea of just living a less-cluttered life, I suppose. A focus on the aspects of life that matter most, and intentionally removing anything that doesn’t fall into that category. If you don't use or need it and it doesn't give you any joy or satisfaction, give it away or throw it away.
It looks different for each individual. Some minimalists sell everything and live as nomads, only owning those things that they can carry with them. Some minimalists live in and own regular homes, have 1-2 cars, and cultivate a collection of stamps (or magnets, or funny comic strips). And there are minimalists in between both of those categories. So minimalism is a lifestyle that can be tailored to what works for each person/family.
I haven't adopted this lifestyle yet, but I'm starting to look into it more. I'm tired of just having so much stuff. Much of which is still in the basement and I haven't looked at it or thought of it in a decade! I don't need all this much stuff. If my husband and I passed away with all this junk in our lives, I wouldn't envy our children having to deal with such a burden.
I've read that minimalism is so much more than buying and owning less material possessions. It’s about refocusing life and gaining the freedom of more time, more energy, and more financial resources to focus on what matters most. I think I'm starting to crave this way of living and I'm going to research it more.
Has anyone on the Arena gone into this lifestyle or know someone who has? :)
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Well...
I'm not minimalist, as I'm collecting a LOT of miniatures...
But, yah know, it's better not to keep things we don't really need. I agree.
Some years ago, I get with my mother to empty our old appartement, as we both have moved away... and well, it was long to choose what to keep or not... you then realise that one day you bough these thing but right now you don't need them nor miss them after.
It was a start to me, that's why I usually get into my things and if they aren't usefull, well they aren't for me anymore. I use all my figures to do pictures/play with but I do NOT want a collection to sit on a shelf all year long without any interaction with.
One of my roomate have even more stuffs than me, and store them everywhere in box "in case that can have a use" but in fact, it's just pointless as we all know it wouldn't.
So first, start with the idea you don't have to keep all is good. To me, of course.
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Is anyone here into minimalism? The idea of just living a less-cluttered life, I suppose. A focus on the aspects of life that matter most, and intentionally removing anything that doesn’t fall into that category. If you don't use or need it and it doesn't give you any joy or satisfaction, give it away or throw it away.
It looks different for each individual. Some minimalists sell everything and live as nomads, only owning those things that they can carry with them. Some minimalists live in and own regular homes, have 1-2 cars, and cultivate a collection of stamps (or magnets, or funny comic strips). And there are minimalists in between both of those categories. So minimalism is a lifestyle that can be tailored to what works for each person/family.
I haven't adopted this lifestyle yet, but I'm starting to look into it more. I'm tired of just having so much stuff. Much of which is still in the basement and I haven't looked at it or thought of it in a decade! I don't need all this much stuff. If my husband and I passed away with all this junk in our lives, I wouldn't envy our children having to deal with such a burden.
I've read that minimalism is so much more than buying and owning less material possessions. It’s about refocusing life and gaining the freedom of more time, more energy, and more financial resources to focus on what matters most. I think I'm starting to crave this way of living and I'm going to research it more.
Has anyone on the Arena gone into this lifestyle or know someone who has? :)
I agree. I have come to realize- both through my own observance, and the help of the Scriptures (namely Luke 12:15- "Then he said to them 'keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of greed, because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses') (translation: no matter how much stuff you have, it doesn't prolong or save your life, and doesn't really bring true happiness, like serving God does), that having a huge collection of ponies and just stuff doesn't make me happy, as I once thought it did, seeking it out as escapism. Having a minimalist lifestyle is just more beneficial (as you said, it's not just less stuff, but putting the focus on more time and energy into obtaining a more fulfilling lifestyle in the process)- less clutter and less stuff means less mental strain trying to figure out where to put everything, or fretting over whether someone will break in and steal anything of monetary or emotional value. I've taken down some of the pony stuff cluttering my walls around my "me" space (my desk and computer) and put them in storage bins, and am in the process of doing the same for the remaining stuff. Eventually, I'll transition my pony figures that take up the entertainment center space and put them in bins, to chill with my beanie babies. Hopefully, I'll get to where I can BREATHE. I don't need ponies everywhere to display and show them off to absolutely no one, and bother cleaning around them every other week.
The Bible actually encourages a minimalist lifestyle, and if you're interested in pursuing this, I support you, and can dig up a few articles related to the Scriptures that I can find, regarding this topic
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I have just spent part of last year and the last 3 weeks solidly clearing out my late grandmother's house. She kept EVERYTHING. :shocked: much of it was destroyed by damp and mould. Such a waste.
It has taught me that hoarding stuff is not such a great idea! :lol:
Once everything is finally cleared, I shall make a start on my own home + junk. :cool:
With regard to my pony collection, I am aiming for spending a little more on getting what I *really* want, over buying dozens of random ponies, just to make my herd larger. Any baity ones are purely to indulge my passion for preservation/re-rooting. :)
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My aunt and unclear moved from a big house into a travel trailer and they're so much happier, moving trailer sites every few months, living a minimalist life.
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Yes! I started a similar thread here myself a while back http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,380883.msg1565889.html#msg1565889
I started with downsizing collections about 3 years ago just to focus, not get overwhelmed and stay organized. Then about 2.5 years ago I had to downsize much more (collections and household goods) due to moving into a smaller place. I began thinking about how much I'd wasted and how I didn't miss any of what I was getting rid of and started actively perusing minimalism a little over a year ago. Decluttering has lead to so much self refection and more of a focus on continued overall improvement for me. It's really been an unexpected side effect but when I started asking "Do I need this?" about everything I own it starts to lead to other questions when I try to justify why. I've faced some harsh realities but also began to identify goals, aspirations and what really matters to me personally in the process. I feel I'm now better able to work towards those things and am happier for it. My views on shopping and obtaining items are definitely through a different lens now. I'm much more intentional. It's still a continuing journey.
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I could never be a minimalist, I love my stuff! My younger brother is, however. He's the one earning most in the family, yet he live in a tiny one room apartment. With just a bed, a couch, a desk with his computer and a chair for it. One TV, two shelves in total. One for his videogames and movies, one for books and other stuff he feels obligated to keep. Whenever I am in his home I get the feeling of empty rooms. It's almost like an echo. Everyone else living there would have put up a screen between bed and couch, gotten another coach or a couple of armchairs but he don't. He has a onedoorwardrobe for his clothes, doesn't buy anything new unless something breaks. I am rather proud of him. I wish my home wouldn't be as cluttered as it is. But I love my books, I love my ponies, I love my dragons and other stuff. If i were to throw something out I wouldn't even know where to begin.
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I've thought about it, but I don't think it's something I'd fully be able to commit to, however lately I have been feeling more "what's the point" with some stuff, and thinking about only keeping stuff I'm actually using/enjoy. So I get not minimalist exactly, but clearing out the extra crap and clutter that I've held on to for whatever reason (knick knacks, freebie things given away at events, etc).
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I have a kind of semi-minimalism happening; it looks to an outsider like my place is the typical folky/hippie den of crystals, dreamcatchers and wooden dolphins, but I am incredibly sensitive to excessive amounts of things in there and everything has its place and a purpose. Heck, even my collection of ponies, Care Bears and other cute things is limited to just one shelf! Generally the vibe I'm going for is homely without being chaotic; it seems to do the job because whenever someone comes round, they always have good things to say about the feel of the place. :)
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I have definitely thought about it. I love the tiny house movement and the idea of having less 'stuff.' I have two small children and we homeschool, so it wouldn't really work for me at this point in my life. Definitely later, which provides a bit of a problem considering I have a room full of toys that I love and I have turned my kids into mini collectors. I do purge a lot of the unnecessary though and I donate A LOT of stuff to charity. Sometimes after Christmas I just get so overwhelmed with stuff I start sending it out the door.
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I am very in favor of organisation and the concept of minimalism appeals to me a lot, which is funny because not only am I a collector but also a fan of kitsch and decorations. It's like I have a split personality. And it shows in my apartment. My collection is neatly organized into themes, several other categories and I only ever have one collection on display because I hate looking at the clutter. I even donate presents I get if they don't fit into the categories I established and I feel no remorse.
If I could have a sepatate room just for my deco and collection I would have it and the rest of my living space would look super reduced.
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This is something that I have been working on haphazardly the last few years. I started reading that Marie Kondo book on tidying and decluttering. I have not been able to do the whole process, as a lot of my possessions still reside at my parents home. I would just end up doing it all over again when we move to a bigger home with all that stuff. I did purge a lot of clothes over a year ago with it, but still feel like I have tons of clothes that I do not wear very often. It's those clothes that you need like once a year, and as soon as you get rid of them, you need them.
I do try to get rid of things in our home when I come across something that is no longer needed. I have gotten better at tossing this stuff, or donating to the thrift store. I have learned not to ask my husband about keeping this stuff because he likes to keep everything, even if he never uses it. I just get overwhelmed with everything and find myself shutting down more often than not when faced with tons of stuff.
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I have been trying to clear a lot of excess 'stuff' out of our house for the past year. We had a tendency to keep items 'just in case' and have now stopped doing that. It is slow work as I have to do it on my own as well as keeping the normal house together as one does. We also have small school-going kids in the house, which sometimes makes you feel as if you are right back where you started :P
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My wife maybe- she has no need for "stuff." It's very odd since I like my pretty things.
But she does like to keep at least one little momento from each of the places that she's visited in the world- I will admit it is nice to look at a thing and think- wow what an awesome day that was... (although I think photographs do just as well and take up less space)
One of my best friends is a hard core Buddhist and she TRIES not to accumulate stuff- but she is also an artist and as other artists and crafters know, it is nearly impossible to avoid accumulating arts and crafts supplies...
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I try...
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Ive been trying for so long! What makes me come to a standstill is when i come across something new i bought and thought i had to have at the time but then months later, to late to take back, i decide that i don't want/need it but hate to get rid of it and waste money. Ugh. So i have all this stuff sitting around that im just not sure what to do with. A lot of it goes to eBay but not everything.
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I really want to start living more like a minimalist. My little family is not a hoarder by any means, but we do have a lot of stuff that we do not ever use that sits around and collects dust. Same with having too many clothes and just knick knacks in general. I've gotten SO much better at only buying things that we need like healthy foods or replacing an appliance that has gone out that we used a lot. I've been trying to save larger amounts of cash to be able to afford bigger items that I would like and use like a laptop. But it's very hard to switch gears and just start getting rid of everything and not buying things just because I want it. I've stopped collecting everything I used to collect and find that I'm happier not worrying about where I'm going to display it all and not having enough space. It's a work in progress.
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I could never be a 'true' minimalist, but I have been thinking about doing a really in-depth declutter. I frustrate myself because I naturally accumulate clutter, yet at the same time am bothered by it. Even with my ponies, which I love, I get stressed out when I get 'too many'.
Even if they aren't visible, even if they're stored away neatly in boxes or something, it's like . . . "Okay, I love you all individually but I don't want SO MANY of you." I'd really like to get to the point where I could have my entire collection confined to one bookcase.
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I've been thinking about not buying anything new I don't actually need for a year and see how that feels. Except for my little ponies. I'm thinking it could be my one indulgence. No new clothes, no new home decor, nothing unneccessary, except for ponies. :lol:
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It's something I can appreciate, though I dont know that I could ever be a true minimalist. I am working on downsizing and selling off parts of my many collections. It was just starting to feel overwhelming. I love stuff... but I just had so much of it, I was losing appreciation for each individual item. It all kind of lumped together onto one giant mass of 'stuff'.
My ponies are all I really collect anymore, and even then I'm selective of what I buy.
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We have a tiny house so no room for too much stuff, but neither of use can bear to part with things that make us smile/remind us of special occasions (though I can ditch anything I have no 'connection' with which is why my collecting is a bit piecemeal rather than completionist). My ponies make me smile so they stay.
To paraphrase William Morris - 'keep only that which is useful, or what you believe to be beautiful' - which I think is very important to remember, joy and beauty are very much a necessary bit of life, however minimalist that life is.
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Recently got rid of 99% of my things, my house, furniture, pretty much all of my possessions except my clothes ... was needing a new start it felt amazing. Lighter. Didn’t do it with minimalism in mind but it’s good to release that tie to material objects.
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I'm not exactly a minimalist but kind of close. I can probably list all of my possessions on a few pieces of paper: clothes, ~100 CDs and DVDs and a carrying case, ~100 novels, 1 board game with 4 expansion packs, ~15 stuffed animals, ~80 G1 & G3 ponies, ~10 petite ponies, 2 Loyal Subject ponies, 1 Mommy Charm, ~15 dolls and a few extra sets of doll clothes, a stereo, a TV, a DVD player, greeting cards from friends and family, assorted photos and a couple photo albums, 2 sports cards, 1 binder with autographed pictures, 2 framed collages, 2 sets of sheets, 1 cloth bag, 2 Wii games, an XBox w/ 3-4 XBox games, a compass, a Kindle, 2 old cell phones, a broken alarm clock, a sleeping bag, a razor, a Samoyed statue/pen set, a dozen notebooks, and a toothbrush.
I'm sure I forgot some things.
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I've read the mari kondo method and I really relate to a lot of it. In recent years I've really downsized my collections. Part of it is living with my hoarder of a mother. I feel like the house is suffocating at times so I really try to keep my stuff in check. Since they both aren't doing well health wise, it's been easier for me to clean out the house without much complaint because if I didn't they wouldn't be able to get the walker/wheelchairs around. So I'm happy to feel less claustrophobic in our home.
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I am proud of myself for buying only my favorite most meaningful Anniversary ponies, instead of the entire set- and then I gave one to my sister- good for me! :biggrin:
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It is tiring to have stuff in your home that you neither want or use. You can feel bogged down, especially when you have to move stuff you don't use to get to stuff you do use and want.
I periodically clear out things when I'm in the mood or discover something lurking in my drawers or cupboards.
You don't have to do it all at once, you can start one drawer/shelf/box at a time. If you don't use it, won't use it, never used it, haven't worn it for a year or more, it's out of date, doesn't fit and isn't sentimental then it should go.
You can give it to charity, sell it or swap it with someone :)
Love pkw xxx