Thread: The Minimalists

Not discounting the information and things highlighted in the documentary - moving every 2 years or so has a similar effect on one's capacity to accumulate.

However 'stuff' doesn't rate when compared to the relationships we have with others.

A very good way to be! Nearly all of what I own is currently in my 110. I still have much redundant clutter.
I learnt a lesson by accident about 19 years ago, I was hitchhiking from Lao to Vietnam and I got a ride with a quarry truck, not enough room in the cab so I stupidly put my backpack wedged between the cab and tray, and inevitably it was lost. It was my first big trip overseas and I took far too much gear, underwater cameras, tent and camping gear to be self sufficient, loads of CDs ect ect. I spent so much $ on the gear and ironically I was always paranoid about someone stealing it so restricted what I could do sometimes. After it was gone I had only what I was wearing (plus a soccer shirt and army helmet a Vietnamese bloke gave me) I was devastated for about 1hr and then got over it. The following few days I felt like a huge bourdon had been lifted (physically too) and it felt amazingly liberating. I have tried to subscribe to minimalism since that day. Like everyone that list of necessity both shrinks and expands over time. It's amazing the amount of people that tell me that they couldn't do ----- or couldn't move because of ------ . A quote from fight club always springs to mind about how the things that you own end up owning you.
Anyways that's my humble opinion on it as it's what suits me personally but I suppose it's not for everybody.

Originally Posted by Narangga;

However 'stuff' doesn't rate when compared to the relationships we have with others..

I was busy writing an essay in response so didnt see this post.
That's pretty much it summed up in a net shell.
Disregard my excessive rant as this is it in a sentence.

On their Facebook page they have short simple messages that really resonate.

I'm finding it really useful for providing clarity of thought.

Maslow's heirarchy of needs.


Most basic human needs are at the bottom (physiological- food/water/shelter), the higher you go up, the less important things become in the pure act of 'surviving'. This is a good helicopter view of what the principle encompasses.

More info here on wikipedia

i've been doing this forever....what is around me is what makes me happy.

and I'm not minimalistic by any means.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

i've been doing this forever....what is around me is what makes me happy.

and I'm not minimalistic by any means.

My ex Wife was excellent at this i now own **** all

Over the years I (or is that we?) have been shocking.
Accumulation stuff half of which does not get used, sheds full of tools & stuff. The tools I actually use could fit in a medium tool box, but I have 3 tool boxes, a cupboard & a wall all tools?
The kids have toys coming out their ears, we all have clothes we couldn't jump over. Boxes of CD's, multitudes of cooking stuff.
Just loads of Stuff!

It is my hope that when the whole family move to Doomadgee (roads, please open) we can severely cut back!

We will be moving from a place with sheds & rooms to spare to a house with just enough small bedrooms, a tiny kitchen & 1 hall cupboard.
I hope that will motivate us.

Also, I think technology will help, all those CD's, DVD's & books should be on a hard drive or Tablet. Must admit I like books.

Anyway, we will see what happens, it should be interesting. Don't think the kids will like not bring all their crap.

Jonesfam