Most people think I am crazy for not only having few material possessions, but for not having the desire to attain many either. Okay, correction. Most people think I am crazy period. However, I am here to tell you that the life of a minimalist is amazing and there is no better day than now to become a minimalist as well.
Over the last 6 or 7 years, I have become more and more the anti-pack-rat. I have developed a lifestyle that allows me to have little if any debt at all times and I get to do what I love. Why? Because I do not have stuff holding me back from experiencing life to the fullest.
Most people I know enjoy having stuff for two reasons: 1)to prove something to others and 2) they don’t have an exciting lifestyle. I think stuff only prevents you from doing the things you really love. Sure, I love watching professional football on 52′ screens, but I would rather take the $1500 it cost and take a two week trip to Australia or a month’s lavish stay in Thailand.
Why materials suck?
Materialism is an epidemic in many countries worldwide. It is obviously apparent to me in the United States. I hate stuff because it sucks the life right out of me. I am able to do so much more with my life when I can focus on what I love and not what I am told to love.
How long do you have to work to pay off that big screen TV or that monster truck you commute in a city with? Was it worth all of that time of labor just for that stuff. Materials prevent many people from doing what they truly love. They settle for the stuff they like. Settling is what leads to dissatisfaction with one’s life, career, and relationships. Working to provide such a lavish amount of stuff usually does not fulfill most dreams and desires. It just keeps us even with the rest of societal collectors.
Minimalism Rules
Being a minimalist rules because it allows freedom and independence from the restrictions and chains of debt and undesirable career choices. If I had debt right now, I would be forced to have a job I hated and continue to buy small stuff to somewhat satisfy my desire for more in life. Why not just eliminate the stuff and debt aspect and do what I love.
The greatest part about minimalism is that anyone can participate. It isn’t some expensive sporting event or club or organization that you have to pay to attend or be part of. All you have to do is eliminate that which does not fulfill your dreams and goals and maximize that which does. Simple as that.
Now, I am no idiot. I know it can be tough to rid of your hard earned stuff. But, wouldn’t your life be amazing if you could just be doing what you love ALL THE TIME. I think most of you would agree that the sacrifice is small for the reward.
In the next few days, I will be releasing a quick start guide to minimalism over at The Minimalist Path for FREE. If you can’t wait until then, please do check out PROJECT M-31: Simplify Your Life in 31 Days.
I hope you all get to check out the coming eBook and start implementing minimalist ways that you read over at The Minimalist Path.
Have a simplified day….
David Damron
LifeExcursion
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Hey David,
Just the article I needed this morning for a bit of minimalist inspiration. I am working right now on reducing my spending in every way possible. By the end of 2010, I will have a very small monthly payment to worry about. Everyone should live like this!!!
Amy
http://www.blissfulexistence.com
Hi David,
I just got rid of my car, house, furniture and most of my possessions. It feels amazing! I am completely free to go anywhere I want and do anything I want.
While it is nice to have some personal belongings (guitars, bikes, computer, etc.) it is also great not to be in a perpetual shopping mode. I can’t bring any more things with me on my travels so I have no interest in buying anything else. It is very liberating.
Less Stuff, More Life!
Congrats on ridding yourself of the car. It always feels great to rely more on the two feet then the gas guzzler.
Dave
Hey Dave! I love this post & I love your take on minimalism. All of the reasons that you mentioned above are exactly why I choose to live a minimalist lifestyle myself.
Hell yes. I am so glad that you wrote this and that you are spreading the word to others that will surely benefit from this excellent advice.
The adds in your RSS feeds which take up more space than the post excerpts are less than minimalist and annoying. Could you at least put them AFTER your post excerpt?
I don’t want to just be negative, your content is great, just hate how in your face the ads are.
I am removing those adds today. Sorry. I had forgot about those.
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I think part of my wanting to be minimalist is because my parents are absolute pack rats and I hated growing up in a house so full of stuff that you could barely move and could’t have people over.
Trying to help them see that they have too much stuff… but it’s difficult. Especially when the grandparents are going into rest homes and my parents end up with all their stuff too.
I just don’t know how they can live that way. =(
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