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I Want to Be More of a Minimalist

This beach chair has been with me for more than twenty years, surviving at least 4 house shifting. The thick yellow fabric had given to wear and tear over the years and Mom made this patchwork quilt to replace it. To me, it is the most beautiful thing in my humble flat now.

I do not like my living space cluttered. I was watching a documentary on minimalism and it is true what they say- You buy things to try to find that elusive happiness and satisfaction but the things never quite cut it. It seems in an age when people work even longer hours that they buy things to justify the time they give up. The hours that we put into our work will never come back.

These days, I live more mindfully. I cook once and eat twice. I do not throw water or food out unless I am sure there is no way I can re-use them. I don’t buy any more useless pieces of clothing any more. How many dresses does one need any way?

But one thing is for sure. I probably will not be able to give up crafting or sewing. But even with that, fabric scraps will suffice.

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Wraithorn · 51-55, M

That documentary you watched is telling the truth. Just about every advert selling something will give the impression that you will be happy and feel successful if you buy that thing.

I've been minimising my living space for years now. I live in a small one bedroom cottage, I have 1 lounge chair, 1 dining room chair and 1 table.

My neighbor is a good example of someone trying to find happiness by spending loads of money. He lives alone in a 4 bedroom house, owns at least 4 offroad trucks, 2 motorcycles, a speedboat, a tractor which never gets used, 3 dogs that bark too much. He throws parties multiple times per week which usually end up with people shouting, fighting and then driving home highly under the influence of alcohol.
He has is desperately seeking happiness but not quite finding it.
I'm not pretending to have found happiness myself so I can't help others to find it.

I hope you somehow find happiness and contentment Novmoon. You deserve it for all your time that you sacrificed for others during your life.

novembermoon · 51-55

Thank you my fren. You are so right that we are bombarded daily by adverts that tell us to consume. To me, nothing beats making things by hand. Come to think of it, maybe that’s the reason I admire and respect very much Gandhi who made his own cloth and built his own house in the ashram. He has a wisdom that all of us should learn from. @Wraithorn

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@novembermoon I must agree that Ghandi did have wisdom in connection with certain things.
A while back I was reading up on Ghandi a bit in order to find out more about him because he played a role in the downfall of apartheid here in South Africa. On the railway station platform in my town there is a statue in honour of him.

That said, it is interesting to note that the man was actually incredibly racist towards Black Africans. He also had respect for Hitler and did not like Jews.

That may sound shocking and I was shocked when I read it. However if you do some online research into his quotes about Black Africans you will find his own words which are officially on record.
My intention here is just to share interesting knowledge and not to undermine Ghandi's legacy and the role he played in Human rights for Indian people. In his quotes you will encounter the "K" word which I won't even write here because it is very derogatory towards Black Africans and in fact is now an illegal word in my country.

If you like let me know what you think after doing a bit of research.

Mugin16 · 46-50, M

Nice chair.

I see what you mean with minimalism but I will never stop buying more books. And I want real books on my bookshelves - not e-books on a Kindle.

novembermoon · 51-55

I know the feeling of wanting real books and not ebooks and I know someone who is just like you. 😝(you know him too 🤓) @Mugin16

Cierzo · M

It is sad when we need to buy things to try to justify the hours we spend (waste?) working. It is a sign that nothing is not right, both in our lives and in society.

So glad you have escaped that trap 😊

novembermoon · 51-55

It is like that when there is a lack of meaningful relationships. To fill the void and emptiness, people buy and hoard things thinking that this is the way to fulfilment. The swankiest apartments, the sleekest car and the most exotic holidays - all these things shout 'success' but really? I think we've been taken for a ride. @Cierzo

JustNik · 51-55, F

I love the chair! It looks happy. 😊 I feel like you’ve achieved minimalism in the fact that you question if an acquisition serves you. How many dresses do I need? The crafting, the sewing...those things serve you...so I don’t feel they’re frivolous at all.

Sssslm · F

The workmanship must be very good quality as it lasts for a really long time 👍👍👍. With minimalism, it s important to have good quality stuff, because they look good, and because there would be no need for replacement which will otherwise create wastage contradicting one of the minimalist purposes.

SW-User

I am a minimalist

I personally love a clear clutter feee room when I walk through it. Gotta have that clarity.

Balance and state of mind makes for a happy vibe 🍃

novembermoon · 51-55

Agree very much. The eye just can only take so much stimuli at any one time. @SW-User

SW-User

Lol right ?

The peripheral vision can only take so much! 🤕 @novembermoon

thedarkside · M

I think the chair looks cool and orginal.👍️

novembermoon · 51-55

Thanks!@thedarkside

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