Month: June 2015

I am reading The Joy of Less- a minimalist living guide by Francine Jay. Now here is a true minimalist. She’s living the life and doing it with joy. She blogs about the minimalist life under the moniker Miss Minimalist. A Minimalist Wannabe has a lot to learn from her. I plan on devouring her book, sleep with it under my pillow if need be, and hopefully absorb her wise words.

For now I shall share a quote from her book by Tao Te Ching:

“He who knows he has enough is rich.”

Nicely said Tao Te Ching. Nicely said.

I know the right thing would have been to avoid the Anthropologie sale today. I’m striving to be a minimalist dammit! How can someone call herself a minimalist wannabe when she dashes off to Anthropologie at the first whiff of a sale? I’m weak, that’s what I am.

They know my weakness for anything with an animal on it, the devils. I was after this:

I may be a middle aged woman who shouldn’t be wearing animal prints at my age, but I didn’t care. I wanted it. I had to have it. I scurried to the nearest Anthropologie and it wasn’t there. Not a single one. Serves me right. I never should have succumbed to temptation in the first place. I left empty handed and more than a little ashamed at what a mark I am. Show me a shirt with an animal or bird on it and my minimalist dreams fly out the window.

With that in mind, I have composed a list of the things I could have done instead of dashing to the store like a crazed lemming. I hope to refer back to this when the next tempting sale strikes.

Things I could Have Done in the Hour I Wasted Going To Anthro:

1. Walked the dog
2. Made Moroccan Lentil Stew (delicious and quick!)
3. An exercise DVD to pretend that there is still time to get in shape for the summer
4. Organized and de-cluttered my underwear and socks drawer
5. Written a poem (not that I write poems but I could have started, and I have been thinking about composing odes to the dog)
6. Tried to finally master a topknot
7. Read a book or a magazine
8. Had a coffee in the park
9. Re-potted a plant
10. Figured out what kind of cactus I have and learned how to deal with it now that it is growing out of control
11. Reassessed my closet to solidify the fact that I don’t need any more shirts
12. Tackled the monster masquerading as the linen closet
13. Started a knitting project
14. Painted my nails
15. Baked muffins

So what does an aspiring minimalist and compulsive shopper do when she gets a notice that there is a giant sale happening at Anthropologie?

There is only one answer, isn’t there? I’m on my way right now.

Just when you think you are on a new minimalist path, the backlash begins. Any movement runs the risk of becoming too self righteous and judgmental, and the minimalist movement can breed guilt. If you admit that you like stuff, you can be branded a materialistic, shallow person collecting her way to an empty existence.

Minimalism is bound to make some people uncomfortable. I include myself in this group, obviously, since I cannot seem to stop accumulating stuff, even as I try to transform my covetous ways.

I read the New York Times article, Let’s Celebrate the Art of Clutter, by Dominique Browning, who talks about the anxiety that comes with the de-cluttering movement. She suggests that we should openly and proudly love our things.

Perhaps there is a balance, as the author tries to suggest. Despite noble intentions and philosophies about simplicity, life is about collecting: experiences, memories, people and things. Perhaps we can feel a little less ashamed and love our things for their craftsmanship and the memories they hold. However, where do we draw the line? I get the sense that the author would be upset if her kids were to sell her beloved possessions in a garage sale in the future.

Now I am left to ponder: do I become a minimalist zealot, a loud and proud collector or a middle ground semi minimalist/collector hybrid? It doesn’t feel quite as dynamic and dramatic.

You never know when a quiet little day can turn into an opportunity for decluttering. It was my day off and as I was settling down for a lazy girl nap, a  pal texted that she was in the neighbourhood. My lazy afternoon turned into a lovely visit with coffee, cheese and crackers, and delightful conversation.

I gave her two blouses that looked terrible on me and fit her perfectly. She helped me finally part with a pair of Rockport boots that hurt my feet. I felt that they should be comfortable and just couldn’t accept that they had failed me. Same with my worn Converse sneakers that always pinched my baby toes. She also confirmed that my white blazer made me resemble an uptight waiter. I got rid of a skirt I’ll never wear, a dress that is too tight and a coat that always made me feel like I had a small head whenever I wore it.

It was a double lesson kind of day. I need to get rid of the things in my closet that I’ll never wear, and spend more time with people I love. Rather than amassing clutter I should keep my priorities front and centre. One of those priorities is more connection with those I love, less time with stuff that is meaningless. Mission accomplished for today…