Minimalist Lifestyle – Part 1
The minimalist lifestyle sounds great doesn’t it? No debt, no house payment, being able to pick up and move at a moments notice, etc, etc. Some people call it downshifting, some call it being an urban minimalist, and some call it being anti-consumerist. I call it being smart and getting back in touch with what I personally think life should be about.
I got laid off from work about 6 months ago. I was in IT and that is one of the worst markets to be in at this moment. I’ve had a few odd jobs here and there but nothing of any real value. I poked and prodded at my savings to get me by so I can eat and pay the important bills.
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Things went from bad to worse as I lost my house and my credit card debt grew. I was getting calls everyday from the credit card companies. I wasn’t able to take much more. I started selling off my belongings in order to hopefully pay down my debts.
I sold my motorcycles, video games, and just about everything that I could make a buck off of. It helped more than I thought and it felt good. Before I knew it, my house had an echo. I had started to live a minimalist life style by force.
I had begun to enjoy the feeling of not having very much to my name and from that moment I decided I want to try and live as a minimalist.
I’m not much of a fan of work and the 9 to 5 rat race. I don’t like working 51 weeks a year to have 1 week of vacation. That ratio just doesn’t work for me.
I quickly made a list of what is important to me in life. What is it that I enjoy the most and puts a smile on my face. From that point, everything started to fall into place. My list was short but sweet. I had a plan, kinda. My first order of business was to continue on the path I had stumbled upon and get rid of everything I didn’t use or want.
My goal was to get a 1400 sq ft house full of stuff down to 10 mid-sized boxes which were to be stored at my parents house. Downsize what I wanted to take with me as much as possible. And figure out the rest of my plan.
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Howdy! I’m Adam. There are many things in the world that I love but none come close to travel and photography. Living a minimalist lifestyle allows me to save money to fuel my passion for travel. Be sure to follow Vagabond Guide’s RSS feed for regular updates on all things travel, minimalism, and photography.
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Good Morning, I just read your page. I love what you've done. I've been a minimalist and super-organized for a while. I constantly downsize the things my husband and I don't use. We've recently have gotten rid of our big 2,800 sq ft house. We moved into one of rental properties and are enjoying the samller more intimate space. I just dig what you're saying. Downsizing, purging, getting rid of; whatever you want to call it. It is good for your soul. You can think better, see better. Everything is better. I mean really, how much stuff do you really need?
Glad you enjoyed. I haven't written about yet but I'm now living in a very small 600ish sqft 1bed/1bath house and love it. I'm down to very little and only a few more things to go before I'm down to exactly what I need. Cheers!
Good Morning, I just read your page. I love what you’ve done. I’ve been a minimalist and super-organized for a while. I constantly downsize the things my husband and I don’t use. We’ve recently have gotten rid of our big 2,800 sq ft house. We moved into one of rental properties and are enjoying the samller more intimate space. I just dig what you’re saying. Downsizing, purging, getting rid of; whatever you want to call it. It is good for your soul. You can think better, see better. Everything is better. I mean really, how much stuff do you really need?
Glad you enjoyed. I haven’t written about yet but I’m now living in a very small 600ish sqft 1bed/1bath house and love it. I’m down to very little and only a few more things to go before I’m down to exactly what I need. Cheers!
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