I’ve written in earlier post about my move towards a minimalist lifestyle, in many ways inspired by my backpacking. So far my conversion from consumer to minimalist is working out just fine. There have been a lot of changes that I have had to make, but to be honest the feeling I get everyday is that of less stress, less worry and, well, less. I am not constantly obsessing about the stuff I own or what I need to buy to be complete. I have found the latter part to still be a fight though, I do find things I would like to buy and would make my life easier. Though admittedly it’s now about what one thing can replace several and help me with my productivity.
One example of this is have an iMac 27” an iPad Air and two iPhones. Considering I am rather un-productive on an iPad (I just surf the internet and read magazine). My iMac I don’t like sitting at because of it being downstairs and at a desk with a really bad chair. I decided to get rid of the iMac and iPad and replace them with a MacBook Pro instead. (I haven’t really figured out which I would like as my needs include video, photography and writing) I did purchase a MacBook Pro 15” but it is a bit heavy to have with me everywhere.
With that said, having one device instead of two really does make things easier. Some of the benefits include getting rid of a massive desk and work area including office chair. I just sit in my favourite chair upstairs with my MacBook. I’m not just surfing the internet anymore as I would with an iPad, instead I get bored rather quickly of reading the same sites, so I just open up Lightroom and start editing photos, or pull out Ulysses and start writing. Or, best of all I put the computer down and do things with my family instead.
These are the kinds of decisions that I am making all the time to simplify my life and to minimalize my being. When I wake up everyday I have exactly one of my 6 black t-shirts to choose from, one of two sweaters, one of my two pairs of blue jeans to choose from, my black shoes and one backpack. To say that my stress has been removed from my morning routine is an understatement.
Making my way into minimalism has been a challenge at times, but the benefits far outweigh anything else. Now that most of my stuff is gone and I am starting to have lot more time over (since I’m not having to take care of the stuff that I own anymore) I will start working on my psychological minimalism and focus. Such as limiting TV and internet. Tuesdays for example is a completely technology free day for the whole family, and it seems to be the one day of the week we all long for. No internet, no lights, no tv or computers. Just eachother and our imaginations.