diary

minimalism

minimalismo

I am down to the bare essentials, I would say. this is a v good thing.i kid you not when I say I can fit everything in my life into a 15L backpack (excluding several pieces of furniture). And I love living this way. I suppose when people grow up, become adults, move out onto their own (which I did when I was 18), that whatever you are exposed to first when you set out into the world, will reflect how you view independence from that point forward. Moving to #STL Job Corps in 2003 (at 18) and having all my possessions put into a (small) wall locker and then having the freedom to ngaf about anything else was incredibly liberating. Been living that way ever since (essentially).

love it

#minimalism #minimalistliving

Why Dogmatic Minimalism?

Why drastic minimalist living?

Why not? I have been practicing #minimalism for 8+ years now and when I see someone else with a lot of stuff or a normal amount of stuff (which i tend to think is pretty minimalist these days) or I see someone carrying next to nothing, I think: “Fine! There is no such thing as too many or too little things to either carry with you or to possess in your home.” Then again, some people are hoarders, others less so. I am not going to concern myself with this condition here.

What I do know is that how much/little you own says very little about the person. Very little about their personality. It may show you that they live a somewhat alternative lifestyle (which they may be doing), but it doesn't tell you anything else. No mold to speak of.

So, to get to the question at hand, the answer is; I am doing this because when I set out on the minimalist way of life in 2010, I decided I would go as minimal as humanly possible no matter how long it took and stay that way as long as I desired (probably forever).

I don't really care of other people are living this way (in fact, from what I have seen from minspo (my word) videos on YT, basically no one practices dogmatic minimalism OR anarcho-minimalism). New things are happening in the world and I believe (for what it's worth) we will see many, Many more people adopting a minimalist lifestyle in the years to come. Tons of (thousands of) “minspiration” videos on YouTube, but, I think when the trend wears off, people will either quit the experience altogether or go as far as I am taking it (dogmatic minimalism).

The Little Things

there are (were) a lot of little odds and ends i had around my apartment that i was thinking about “letting go” (throwing away) and i finally did so tonight. i threw away stuff in the bathroom that was unnecessary/redundant, tossed an old wired PC mouse, extension cords, shit like that. Was feeling a bit motivated from watching the YT channel “Lost Yet Free” where some dude travels w/ basically nothing but a toiletry kit and a fucking phone and that seems p fucking epic, if you ask me. I could get down to this level of #minimalism, as it is certainly dogmatic + fits in great w/ my anarcho-minimalist lifestyle, but, i am in no rush. I take things one day at a time.

So anyway, i had some coffee just a bit ago and made the thing a latte or mocha or whatever bc i wanted some flava flav, and am now enjoying the crickets. Beautiful night.

New things, new things

I ordered a Samsung Galaxy Tab A (8 inch) just now. Brand new. Not refurbished. 32 GB. Android 7.1.1. USB-C. etc. #goodtimes

Fucker didn't cost a lot, either. Very affordable (under 2 bills)

Next-day delivery on it, too (which cost $19)

I remember the first time i ever saw a tablet IRL and held one in my hands (a tablet PC we called them back then, lmao). It was a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (8 inch, also, i believe) and man, did i fall in love with that thing!

This is a WiFi-only model so i will be tethering it to the Kyocera phone (obvs), and i will basically never touch my phone unless i am woolking oot the door. lol.

The #RPi has been put to rest in the closet. I just...don't want to mess w/ that thing anymore.

I look forward to the bullshit i will get myself into on the Tab 8 (i will refer to it as). I won't have to nestle and baby it like i do the Kyocera because i won't have to worry (as much) about battery life, processing power, yada yada yada.

By the way, i was seriously indecisive as FUCK today about what thing or things i was going to get. I have been jamming ard on those #minimalism videos on YT and all that shit does is make me feel bad about owning anything. LMAO! Ironically, none of those schmucks are even gd minimalists! They just make videos about the subject! Nevertheless, i am not making this decision based on “minimalism” (idegaf about the subject v much these days, tbh). This is a decision of “luxury”. A “treat”, if you will. It will bring me hella joy :)

I still got $$$ for all the necessary things i have to use $$$ for in life (such as bills, and....yeah. Bills). In fact all those things are about done being paid for now. I just need to use the ATM tomorrow (or, today, after the sun rises) and get some $$$ out that i owe the 'rents, and then the rest o' the $$$ i can just “get by” with. Haha.

I live paycheck to paycheck and, yea, it gets tiresome. We'll see if there comes a time where i am not in this situation. I hope someday.

But life is good

be back in a bit!

still whittling-down / still minimizing

I understand how the #decluttering process can be super-addictive at first, but giving away/donating the “big” possessions wears out real quick (unless you are super-rich and have a lot of things). The best part of the looooong #minimalist journey comes when you are about 8 years in and you start to r.e.a.l.l.y. cut back. I am not saying you throw out things you would normally save. I am talking about parting with things that you have re-visited time and time again mentally, emotionally, consciously, and decided; “it is time for me to let this go”. I am no dogmatic minimalist here, but, you know what, fuck it, I basically am! By “dogmatic” I men the type of person who goes around with basically nothing. Not even a backpack. And they are totally content with the simple act of LIVING. I take this approach because I was homeless in Florida (Daytona Beach, to be specific) for about a month, and when I was without residence, i had nothing but the clothes on my back, a head full of long hair, and a wallet that was almost always totally empty. I didn't just “make do” at this time, I was THRIVING from walking 10+ miles a day, enjoying every sunset, sleeping on the sand, and sometimes even walking in the pouring rain with the surf up to my knees. It was the most liberating experience I have ever had in my life. This, THIS is why I approach #minimalism in a “dogmatic” way. Given time, energy, and effort: you can learn to part with basically every material possession you own and have juuuust enough to get ya by. I am enjoying this minimalist journey to the far reaches of my comfort levels, and so should everyone else.