I decided that I had one too many large tables this week thats primary function just served to collect plates and trash.

I got rid of it and sort of had an existential moment of realization. I’m scraping the barrel on minimalism. Last year I moved into a small tent full time. Downsized my bed to a cot, made my own solar system, pump my water, and got rid of all my trinkets and toys.

I just don’t have much left to get rid of. Not much left to store or organize. No need for large tables, my smaller collapsable tables do what I need. All thats left is bare essential appliances, clothing, bedding, and daily use devices. just a little more I wouldn’t even need a shelf anymore.

I feel free. Like a weight is being lifted off of me. Possessing means maintenance and emotional attachment to objects. Each thing I get rid of feels like a win, like I’m letting go of something that I didn’t really need. The few things that stay I truly appreciate for what they provide me in life.

But I feel like I’m kind of weird for feeling these way. Its the societal norm to collect things, compare social status with objects, show off your ideaologoies and interest by decorations. The ‘dream’ for most people is a big home to fill with a spouce, kids, and things.

People get mad at the idea of ‘pod life’ and ‘owning nothing and being happy’, which I understand its about being g forced into poverty not minimalistic zen type letting go of attachment. But I personally feel like theres too much hoarding and consumerism in daily life.

I wish that nomadic minimal lifestyles were looked better upon by society and not equated to homelessness. I don’t have any stuff tying me down I want to explore my country without monthly apartment rents in an old van. Why is that wrong? Because I’m not making taxable property income or stimulating the economy with constant purchase?

  • venotic@kbin.melroy.org
    1·
    7 hours ago

    Minimalism is really the way to go in a world that is obsessed with consumerism. I feel the word and idea of ‘Consumer’ is dirty because it dehumanizes someone, like capitalism only sees people as cattle with wallets. Only existing to buy, subscribe, buy, subscribe and buy. That’s not a life to live.

    I’ve been in homes of friends where they are messy with so much stuff, it’s hoarding, they don’t know what to do with it all and are isolated between not only mental illness but also attachment. It feels so wrong being in the middle of that.

    I’ve also been disgusted with myself for indulging on just filling my apartment with stuff. Buying things I think I’d like or find use in, but eventually ditching because I’m invalidating myself. I’m buying things for some form of validity, like as if someone is going to burst through the door and asking me questions about what I have so I can talk about them. Who the hell am I trying to impress? I live alone, by myself, no friends in my immediate location. Why am I getting things that ultimately do not matter?

    There’s an article I read awhile ago and I think this should be read by fellow minimalists It’s a practice I’ve been doing, because simply just cutting things cold turkey, has never worked for me. Because eventually old emotions linger back and old habits try to come back and I’ll fall into them again where I’m just spending money for the sake of spending money. It is best for people to take on the dissolving tactic to find some sense of closure before cleansing your surrounding and yourself from consumerism.