The pack rat minimalist


Morning all, this weekend was harried. I worked all weekend and my children were in a constant state of chaos (not really, but they did seem to think they needed me constantly). This, friends, the chaos of my life is one reason  the minimalist lifestyle appeals to me: the idea that simplicity leads to peace and serenity.

Brian asked what about minimalism doesn't work for me. The one idea I reject is the idea that the minimalist life requires a spartan living space and equally severe perspective: some narrow, strict adherence to having as little as possible. There are extremists and critics of all movements who exaggerate an idea.  Me, I'm a big picture kinda gal.  I'm the woman who lived the majority of her life in the middle of chaos and crisis so for me, I'm looking for the anchors, which comes back to my previous post. I want less stuff so I have less stuff to think about, less stuff to take care of, less stuff to worry about.

I'm a pack rat who loves poetry and books. Sorry hardcore minimalists, digitizing my collection isn't an option and poets have a small audience so I'll buy my books and keep them. My memory escapes me. Those mementos, gifts and paraphernalia are lifeposts for me, not clutter.

More later.

Be well,
L

Comments

  1. I think I'm probably a (non-extreme) minimalist, but I have to have my books, too. However, a couple of years ago I started purging the ones I thought I would read when I bought them, but now know I never will.

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  2. its funny i ordered a book once...completely mislabled on simplicity....it was about a guy that dug his house out of the earth and lived off what nature provided...ha...complete with diagrams on how to do it yourself...it was interesting but def the extreme....

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  3. I'm becoming more minimalist in the sense I'm shedding possessions, and outmoded ideas. I've visited the library more the last 12 months than the last 20 years, too. ~

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  4. I've become more of a minimalist as I've aged, but I still hang on to books and photos and mementoes of loved ones and favorite memories. They are my treasure.

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