I am a Minimalist

Or am I? How did 5 pairs of shoes travel with me when I (attempted to) pack lightly?!

Writing Prompt November 5-18

Are you an overbuyer or an underbuyer? A minimalist or a maximalist? Do you collect treasures or ruthlessly purge? Where do you land in the debate of more or less? State your case and share your thought process.

Is it true that man assumes himself to be somewhat middle-of-the-road, just about right? Enough creative clutter for the cosy, comfortable vibe— but not too much that it feels stifling or alludes to hoarding habits.

Reading Dana K. White's book Decluttering at the Speed of Life, was life-altering. Her wit and wisdom struck a cord with me and for the first time decluttering felt doable! Who has the time and energy to collect all like items from the entire home, put them in one spot, hold each item in hand and wait for the magical spark of joy to jump out?! Not I. Miss Dana's method never leaves you with a huge mess if perchance life intervenes and it's mealtime. Thinking of your home as a container in which all things need room to breath, including the humans, was simply profound. Real estate isn't free. She also gives permission to get rid of projects that we might do someday but have no appeal today.

Where do nostalgia and sentiment come to play? I gave away our fruit adorned wedding present casserole dishes to make room for treasures from my mom and grandma. Brightly colored bowls I'd received as gifts are removed to make room for stacks of the most adorable chippy dessert plates with tiny red flowers and cream colored bowls from secondhand sources.

Despite my propensity to keep everything that may be useful, underbuying seems to be my default mode. I tell myself that I don't need anything more but then can't forget the wonderful goods left behind. Somehow “sleeping on it” feels safer, but with one-of-a-kind items, a person must make a decision and NOW. Great care must be taken to make sure the article in question can be used and will have spot to inhabit without causing overcrowding. Usually I'm happy when I do spend the money and sad when I don't…

Could I get rid of one thing every day and for how many days? Maybe I'll start in 2025. Or maybe I'll throw off the procrastination and start TODAY.

The following quote is my goal:

And as for the shoes, clothing, and core wardrobe– those are also works in progress of which I will write more in a future epistle.

Upon further ponderation, perhaps I'm a midimalist!

Happy Thanksgiving! To think we are so generously blessed that we must make effort to not amass too much stuff! May I ever live responsibly and contentedly.

xo

-rjk