Every Monday I post Real Life Minimalists, a profile of one of my readers in their own words. If you’d like to participate, click here for details.
Today, Jesse tells us about the motivations behind his minimalist journey. If you’d like to learn more about him, surf on over to his blog, A Life Reinvented.
Jesse writes:
My minimalist journey didn’t start where you’d imagine…it started in a Reflexologist treatment room.
Let me explain:
I had spent several years battling an on-again-off-again nerve problem in my right hand. After a 1 hour session she had completely eradicated the problem. Turns out a nerve was being pinched in my shoulder…and that in turn was leading to my hand problems. After the session she looked at my shoes and said, “you know, you should really think about switching to looser, less structured footwear. That way your feet can do the job they were designed for.” This fascinated me. Having been a trained boot fitter at REI for several years I had been wearing stiff boots with orthotics and Chacos for nearly a decade. But I figured, if she could fix my hand that quick, I shouldn’t dismiss this suggestion out of hand.
Don’t worry, I’m getting to the minimalism part…
So I start doing my research and come to the conclusion that she’s right. Our feet were designed the way they are for a reason, to support and propel us through our day. I started looking into minimalist shoes (told you we’d get there!) and found a growing segment of our society that eschew shoes altogether. Along side this segment was another that was going with shoes like the Vibram fivefingers, Vivo Barefoot, and Sanuk Sidewalk Surfers (all of which I use and wholeheartedly endorse!). These shoes allow your feet to function as intended, while still protecting your soles from rough or littered city hardscapes and looking acceptable for work.
From here, I ventured off into the greater world of minimalism and started seeing very distinct parallels between my journey into barefooting, minimalism, and even the tiny house movement. So with all that in mind I set out to purge my life of all the STUFF I had accumulated. I was living in a basement, ~200 sq ft of personal space + a bathroom and shared laundry room. In addition to that space, I had a long storage closet, shop space, and the garage – all stuffed full of my crap. Daunting to say the least. I decided to jump in, or rather dip my toe in the shallow end, by clearing one section of shelving. I took a length about 3 feet long and put everything on the floor. I got myself two boxes (actually one box and one garbage bag) and as I picked up each item it either went into the garbage bag, the box to go to charity, or back on the shelf. Once I got honest about what I really wanted and needed in my life that first section of shelf ended up completely empty.
Talk about a pivotal moment! I was hooked and over the next 6 months or so I took an estimated 12 carloads to Goodwill, another 12 or so to the dump, and had in the area of 150 ads on craigslist selling the good stuff. By the time I was packing up for my move overseas (shameless teaser!), I was down to approximately 100 cubic feet of stuff. When the shipper came out to survey my STUFF, his reaction was, “is that it?!?!” – which needless to say felt great!
Now I’m hard pressed to list what I got rid of. That speaks volumes to me as to the value of minimalism.
I’m living overseas until March when I’m returning to Seattle to work long enough to save up to head to a new city…I’m thinking Denver…and I’ll move with all of my belongings in the back of a Subaru. Minimalism is what you make it. I know others who live out of a backpack. More power to them! I could never do that. Mostly because my dog would never fit. And I know others who consider it a major victory when they make room to dust the bookshelves. That is a victory. Every little bit counts folks, don’t become one of those Minimalists (cap added intentionally) who look down their noses at the cluttered masses. We each need to learn what our ideal is. As long as you don’t cross the line between owning your STUFF and your STUFF owning you, it’s all good.
I still get asked how I can handle living with nothing. Minimalism isn’t living with nothing – that’s asceticism – it’s living better with what matters most to you.
That’s a fascinating bit about the shoes, as I’m fixated on the comfortable shoe. Although I was once told I should always wear shoe inserts and highly structured shoes, I’ve stopped. Instead, I do exercises that help strengthen my feet. It seems to be working. I like the idea of fitting all my stuff into the back of a car. I still have too much for my liking, and it makes moving a pain.
Hi Jesse!
How timely! Inspired by the recent article in Nature on the benefits of going barefoot, I too, have begun “barefootin’ it”.
My husband and I have been clearing out a lot of stuff over the past year and it really does make such a difference (in a positive way) in how you view your world.
The Vibram Five Fingers seems to be becoming the minimalists foot choice. I’m undecided. I live in one of the snowiest regions of the United States and as such, these shoes would be worthless for much of the year, apart from indoor walking, but I walk barefoot alot indoors anyways.
With that being said, I love these stories. They really do provide inspiration for me and thank you to Jesse for sharing.
– Charley
I also love these stories of how people came to Jesu- I mean, minimalism! Every time I think I’ve hit a plateau, something like Jesse’s story inspires me onward. I’m just curious why you can’t move directly to Denver after your return from being overseas, instead of going to Seattle first. Get the dog, the car and get where you want to be the most. just a thought. not trying to be bossy :)
Well written; excellent post. I particularly loved your description of clearing off the first shelf. Look where that has gotten you!
Thanks for the comments all!
@ Robyn – There’s a little issue of $$$, that’s why I can’t go straight to Denver. I don’t own that car yet, and by the time I get back my resources will have dwindled so low that I’ll be mooching a basement from family to live in as well as a car to get me to whatever job I can find…so the stop in Seattle, while unwanted, is an unfortunate necessity.
@ Charley – look at the Flow model. I just saw pics of someone wearing them around the DC Snowpacolypse!
@ Jen – Exactly! To paraphrase, every journey starts with one step…
Jesse, great post! Speak to me more of these shoes! I too have ghastly orthotics and am supposed to ear them/structured shoes but my feet still hurt…. argh. Please please please write a shoe post on your blog! Thanks. :)
Thanks for the great story, Jesse! I’m just starting down the path of simplicity, although it has been a dream for many years. Colorado is my home state, so good luck in Denver when you get there!
What a great story! And that bit about going barefoot convinced me to finally donate my knee-high four-inch heel boots that I’ve had FOREVER and refused to get rid of because “it took me so long to find them.” I don’t even have anything to wear them with (beyond black slacks, which kinda defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?), but I refused to donate them because I used to wear them so much. Reading your story made me remember that, hey, high heels are NOT good for your feet. All of my other shoes are flats or tennis shoes, but I’m going to look into your suggestions as well. Thanks for sharing with us!
“Minimalism is what you make it…Every little bit counts folks…We each need to learn what our ideal is.” Thanks for this. It’s inspirational to me because I am the opposite of minimalism with a hoarding problem. I’ve been working on it for years and sometimes minimalism sites help me with perspective. So thanks again for that reminder. And I hope you made it to Denver.
“I still get asked how I can handle living with nothing. Minimalism isn’t living with nothing – that’s asceticism – it’s living better with what matters most to you.”
LOVE THIS!!! :)
These posts are so very inspirational to me, especially Jesse’s comment about clearing one shelf. I’m not quite a hoarder, but having grown up extremely poor with an unstable mother who would throw out all of our stuff while we were at school, I’ve had the unfortunate reaction of holding onto everything as an adult. I read these posts so that I can get ready to let go of 80 percent of my belongings. I know it will feel like heaven! Thanks to all of you.
Jesse, I love your relaxed manner – amen to the “compassionate minimalists” who are happy with their style and encourage others in whatever situation they may be. It sounds like you’re happy.
I like that you started with a 3 foot shelf. I started with the closet in my bedroom and while I had never been a pack rat or a hoarder there was too much I didn’t need. I could never fill my car up in one trip so instead we go once a week or every 2 weeks with a garbage bag or 2. Then in between we take books and magazines to the library. If my husband buys something new, he has to get rid of at least 2 things as he has much more than I do.
My husband bought a new T shirt and got rid of 2 old ones. He wants to replace some old shirts and will do the same thing. I use my oldest T shirts under sweatshirts in the winter to keep warm. I still have a few to give away since I only need 4. Now I have 3 pairs of jeans, 2 nice and 1 worn, and 2 pairs of office casual slacks. Clothes have never been my issue. Books and craft and hobby supplies are the things I keep.
Once in a while, I think I would like to own an expensive craft tool. Then I think how often I would really use it and I can’t justify the purchase. I have so many supplies and tools I don’t use now. I really did not like quilting when I did it, I did not enjoy card making when I helped a friend make invitations and party favors. I really like to sort out piles of things into keep and discard the best.
We just got rid of 2 more bags to Goodwill and I gave my mom 2 of my sweatshirts for her to wear in the nursing home. I have 4 and that’s enough. I am going to look for some men’ socks for her as her feet are very swollen and women’s socks don’t seem to fit her.
Another bag is ready for Goodwill. Then I will start the next one. Besides clothing, I have some candle holders I haven’t used that I think I will give away. There is a lot of extra in my house, which is pretty empty, so I know that other people must have carloads of things to give away.
I keep getting sets of china I don’t need or want. So I keep a few pieces and pass on the rest. The next box I get will be filled with china to give away. The big bowls are under my plants.