Where It All Began
When I began to learn about minimalism, I really didn’t think it was for me. I have a beautiful wife, we have a home, cars, possessions and people gather at our place all the time. My limited understanding assumed that as minimalists, we would be required to dispose of all our possessions and live with practically nothing. Our houseguests would have to share a meal at a card table on a lawn chair. It wasn't going to happen.
We, or more honestly I, didn't feel like we had a lot of stuff anyway. I could park in the garage, while many people can't. But I parked it next a wall lined with plastic boxes and storage items set aside for now and for later. I had to squeeze in and out of my vehicle. It had a roof over it, but the garage was crowded. Why do I have so little space?
So we didn't start out as minimalists, we started out as declutterers. Elly found a gem of a book that put us on our journey called "the life-changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondo. It helped us level set and realize the stress acquired by acquiring things. Ms. Kundo challenges the reader to keep only the things that bring joy. The insights worked well for us.
I could argue that while I was squeezing into my car, many of my neighbors had already given up. They parked their 35K vehicle in the driveway while their garage served as a storage space for their big box purchases. The car was exposed to the elements, but the excess toilet paper, bicycles, paper towels and hoses were warm and dry. The total of these ancillary items certainly added up to a fraction of the vehicle. I began to think that the priorities may have been reversed.
So that’s why I consider myself a "Midlife Minimalist." Someone who after a lifetime of acquiring, has decided that they no longer want to accumulate things. They want to rid themselves of the things that matter least so they can focus clearly on the things that really matter. I viewed the reduction of possessions as a portal to a life where I could enjoy the mental, material, relational and spiritual aspects of life to the fullest.
Where does one start?
For us it started with these three things
Elimination of financial debt
Decluttering
Mindfulness - Body, Mind and Spirit
The combination of these three areas brought us to a place where were consider ourselves midlife minimalists. We didn't start out as minimalists, we're becoming minimalists; on our terms. And the rewards are proving that we're doing the right thing.
Of course we'll talk in detail about these elements in upcoming posts.
increase the peace.