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.
This week, we hear from Canis Voda (“water dog” in Chinese astrology), who has decided to embrace minimalism in many different ways. Read on for a wonderful perspective on freedom from stuff!
Canis Voda writes:
About 6 months ago, I decided to get rid of superfluous things, since I live by myself in an apartment that is 260 sq.ft. When I moved there, I had to get rid of about 60% of what I had originally. I am an artist, so creating all willy nilly is not really an option. I now use my creativity for things useful as well as aesthetically pleasing. I like to knit and watercolor.
I decided to walk the path of minimalism in as many ways as I could; philosophically, physically, spiritually, and gastronomically…my food is simple too! I found out quick that this life-practice is a great stress reliever, and after upwards of a decade of searching for natural remedies for anxiety and the like – it was like an epiphany!
I scoured your blog like mad, looking for tips and tricks and it somehow made me think twice on the more common things people have and own, and how most don’t really need them. Other people I know are not quite as sparse and are always losing things…keys, eyeglasses, articles of clothing. I don’t judge them, but I always think wouldn’t it be easier if you didn’t have so much stuff? Watching documentaries on the haves and the have nots made me think that there’s probably no such thing as poverty…unless it’s a spiritual poverty. You can’t take material wealth with you when you die, so why live so heavily on the earth when you’re alive? Nobody needs the stress, nobody wants to be complicated by inanimate things. Life was never meant to be a struggle. And the rewards are not physical entities. The best things in life are not things, read some graffitied platitude online somewhere.
I have learned that being laid off once due to the recession made me take a look at what I had, and what peoples’ ideals were being fed to me. Once you go minimalist, you sort of become detached. You see everything as impermanent. Your mind is like a cosmic gypsy, free from the shackles of things and stuff and the less you own, the less money you need to live on. You can wander. I have to question those who have two or three jobs at once and wonder what crazy lifestyle are you paying for?!
I could talk volumes more, but this is just the beginning. I toast the philosophers who spoke of the beauty and happiness of less.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
While I applaud anyone trying to reduce their possessions and live a more minimalist life, I find the comment that there’s probably no such thing as poverty naive and offensive. Millions of people don’t even have enough to eat. Part of the reason I strive to mininalism is try and do as much as I can for those living in poverty – I think it is incredibly offensive to say that it doesn’t exist.
Wow… nice post like a philosophical write-up.
“there’s probably no such thing as poverty”
I have to say that I find a comment such as this a little idiotic and more than a little offensive.
Yes, ‘poverty’ is a social construct and is largely relative. However, to say ‘there’s probably no such thing as poverty’ neglects the fact that there are people all over the world whose basic needs are not met: ‘minimalism’ is not a lifestyle choice for some, and we should not forget that. Poverty very much does exist when you cannot afford to pay for your antiretrovirals, and die prematurely from HIV/AIDS. Poverty exists when you have to take whatever work you can get, rather than having the choice to become an artist, or whatever career your heart desires. Poverty exists when, despite cutting your consumption and living with only the basics, your home is foreclosed, and you have nowhere to take your kids… I could go on.
Those of us who call ourselves minimalists, and who come from a situation of wealth and privilege (and I’m not talking ‘rich’ here, I’m talking about the fact that those of us in the West who earn even the minimum wage are among the richest of the world’s population – compare your wealth at http://www.globalrichlist.com/ ) have a duty to remember that our freedom to make this lifestyle choice is a privilege not afforded to many. Why are we ‘minimalists’, whereas people who live on the poverty line in the US and UK are not? It’s because we have the choice to live this way.
Please stop white-knighting my story. I enjoy the comraderie here and I just wanted to tell a simple narrative.
I whole heartedly agree, Sakurako.
It’s safe to say that to most parents, it is imperative to AVOID living in poverty. If this means working 2 or 3 jobs to have stable, warm and safe accommodation as well as simple healthy food on the table, then so be it. Not everyone working long hours is keeping up with the jones’.
It is so true that simplfing in one area of life (possessions) leads to simplifing in other areas (activities, food, etc) until you get down to what is joyful.
‘you can wander’
Amen to that!
“Once you go minimalist you are sort of become detached.” Yes, a lot of human behaviour becomes simply incomprehensible. “You see everything as impermanent.” – so true! “All things must pass.” Nothing stays the same; things come and go – useless to grasp.
I absolutely love your story!
While I appreciate your point that owning less can be liberating and less stressful, I must agree with earlier comments…physical poverty is very much a reality. Living without basic necessities isn’t minimalism, it’s daily suffering + deprivation.
The refrain one hears over + over in Francine’s ‘The Joy Of Less’ is: Have what you need. No more, no less. Move away from excess toward sufficiency. In doing so, you can free up time, money and resources on behalf those who do struggle with material poverty.
minimalism is not a contest with poverty being the winner.
“poverty is the worst form of violence”-Mahatma Gandhi.
I should have put “there’s no such thing as poverty in America.” Yes, while I am aware there’s masses of people thousands of miles away living in squalor and destitution without a way out, I was more or less referring to the capitalism and greed that creates the illusion of scarcity within in a developed world of plenty.
I have a feeling my story is going to get removed now. Apparently I appear to like getting misconstrued on the internet more than in real life. *sigh*
I hope your story isn’t removed, as it has brought up some strong opinions and that always initiates change within people.
Whilst I may disagree with you on a couple of points, I still thank you for sharing your story.
I totally agree with “no such thing as poverty” because it depends how one defines poverty. The merriam-Webster defines it as “a state of one who lacks a usual or SOCIALLY acceptable amount of money or material possessions, insufficient resources.”. I’ve read about so many people that have survived on the streets either because they wanted to or they had to but managed due to changing their whole mindset. In America there are so many available resources for the “poverty” that you can manage a great life. No car – public cheap trans, finding a bike, or foot – simple and easy. Food- soup kitchens, dumpster diving (done it and came back with POUNDS of fresh produce). Medical- eat a plant/fruit based diet- boosts the immune so you hardly get sick, if you by chance do -fast, that’s what animals do and it has cured so many diseases, research it. Emergency treatment- hospitals can’t turn you away! Shelter- homeless shelters, camp like your actually camping- materials can be found all over, you just have to look. So your right, is there such thing as poverty?
Other countries, I’ve seen plenty of documentaries, where it’s the same here, they think they need a lot of money to “live” like we think they need to. I do think we need to provide education about growing food and learn to make shelter. How do tribes survive AND thrive? We need to learn from them. Great post !
YES! Candi, this is exactly what I meant! Statistics and “damn lies” aside, I read somewhere that there was an indigenous people who lived simply and off the land, and had done so for generations. It wasn’t until the Western “ideal” came around and told them they were living in poverty. Their reaction: “We are?” It’s a mindset, poverty is. Have you ever read a book called Material World? It shows people from all over the globe with all their possessions. Some of the so-called “impoverished” nations look happier with their few things than those in such so-called “rich” places like Europe or the USA.
So for those of you who call me offensive and naive, are you basing what you know off of the place where you live? Perhaps I just see things through a different lens.
Candi – your response is extremely naive. Your solutions would work in only a handful of cities. Outside a few major population centers, there is not good, reliable public transportation. Walking two hours each way down rural roads to a job isn’t good. There aren’t always dumpsters to dive in, food pantries and kitchens give out what people donate, so it’s rarely fresh and there’s not always enough – people do get turned away. Go to an ER – how do you manage a long-term condition, and don’t forget those of us with three jobs are footing the bills that you can’t pay. Sleep in a shelter or camp out – it’s hardly restful long term when you have to keep an eye on your belongings (as minimal as they may be) or worry about your personal safety.
Yes there is poverty in America – visit Appalachia, rural areas in Alaska, many of the Native American reservations (not everyone has casinos). These are people who don’t have access to most of the basics the majority of us have, and they don’t have the ready choices or resources either
Canis,I appreciate your sharing your story. You seem to realize what is important in life…..and it’s not things. I can go beyond the one misconstrued sentence and see the value in what you write. Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you Judy….and I am glad you get what I was trying to say.
Hi Canis,
I too loved reading your story & thank you for taking the time & trouble to share it with us. I am impressed with the enthusiasm with which you’ve embraced the minimalist “take” on so many different areas — (not just “stuff”), and appreciate that you’ve not felt a victim by being laid off, for example, and instead have experienced trials like this as a chance to make lemonade from lemons by applying your creativity & consciousness to the situation.
Good post. Isn’t it a shame anyone feels they must work 3 jobs? It just makes sense to reduce our needs and wants for a simpler, less materialistic lifestyle.
Some people are working in jobs that are so low paying they need to work three jobs to pay for the basic things others can afford working one job. Rent or mortgage, insurance premiums, school costs etc are beyond the income received from doing one job for alot of people.
I know some people will work more to pay for a materialistic, ‘keep up with the Joneses’ lifestyle, but this is not the case for all people who have more than one job.
I agree with Nicole. Where I live, people work three jobs just to get by. Granted, there are probably some who just want the money to buy stuff, but the vast majority work multiple jobs because they are low-paying or minimum wage and can’t afford to live on just one income. And honestly, I myself would be at that point to, weren’t it not for my very gracious parents who allow me to live at home (and I’m 29 years old).
Canis sweetie, please don’t think I’m beating up on you. I’m not and I am so glad you shared your insight. I do disagree when you say “that life’s not supposed to be a struggle” because as a christian the bible teaches me this whole life on earth IS going to be a struggle until Jesus returns. But being a minimalist helps keep you focused and to learn what is important and what isn’t in life and it’s easier to try to do the right thing because possessions don’t posses you. But life is not supposed to be a piece of cake unless you want to throw in the towel and give up on having morals and values. It’s always swimming against the river for some of us. But your story is inspiring and don’t take the comments personally because no one really knows you on this site and your story obviously touched Francine enough where she posted it. Keep your chin up and march on :)
Minimising Jesus (and religion) out of my life was one of the best decluttering moves I ever made!
I agree Kathleen! Great comment
It took me 72 years to do it. Best thing I ever did for myself. Thanks for saying it.
My faith in God and Jesus is one of the things that has driven me to become minimalist. He is the Ultimate Declutterer of our lives and the best example how to live life beyond ourselves. My heart breaks because so many people do not realize it. I pray that someday you will encounter Him in a real and personal way :)
You do not need to be religious to be minimalist. Instead of praying for people believe in Jesus, how about living your own truth and let others live theirs?
The glorious thing about blogs like this is that they allow the sharing of different viewpoints. Please allow me to express mine as well. Thank you!
Canis,
I too enjoyed your post and how you also use your creativity to ALSO handle practical space issues. As someone who is also trying to do her artwork in a very restricted space, I would like to hear how you handle your works in progress, do you put everything away when you are not immediately working on it, etc?
Thanks,
Marilyn
Some of my best happiest moments was when we were first married and did not have much but each other. We always saved up for what we wanted. I have been in India where some live on very little and the children play in the streets. They make do with what small items they can find to play with. The families all take care of each other. And I always saw them smiling, children, women walking by and men selling their goods. I loved all of them.
I think when we see people starving and in dire need we NEED to step up and help no matter what religion we are or they are.
I was kind of surprised at how Canis was judged so quickly on a remark that I feel was taken wrongly. But she is brave to tell us her life and how she got there. I admire that.
But I do feel better and freer when I have less. My husband died and guess what, he left everything behind. That was a big wake-up call for me. I am making this a game to see what I really use and the rest can go to others in need.
To a better life here on earth so we can experience all aspects of human nature!!!!
I felt your thoughts were beautifully conveyed. I also understood and appreciated that your comment was a critique on capitalism and the lack of sharing of resources vs an actual lack of resources. thank you for your story.
Canis, I can really connect with you when you mention becoming detached. I am currently on a journey of simplifying all aspects of my life. One area leads to another… material goods, food, spirit, relationships. It did not start out as a choice for me. It was and is a way to survive, but I have found so much good in it that I have moved beyond “having to” into “wanting to” as well.
I agree with Sakurako that many of us are blessed and privileged to have these choices.
Freedom for me is knowing that material goods do not mean security nor do they define who I am (or others). That I can provide for myself on quite a small wage by American standards and still help others.
I really like your ideas and insight, Canis! Thanks for sharing.
I just loved reading your story and gained a lot
from it. I know you did not mean there was no
“poverty in the world”. Taken out of context.
Thank you for your teaching me so much.
I want to give away a kitchen table (live in Belgium, Europe) – can somebody give me the correct URL for freecyle? I tried http://www.freecycle.com and it links to sites for BUYING things.
Thanks.
It’s freecycle.org, not .com.
http://www.freecycle.org/group/BE/Belgium
Yup, that’s it Tara! the .com actually steers you towards .com but seems to be a completely different site.
Never mind, I’ve just added your link to my favourites. Thanks!!!
I have mixed feelings after reading your story.
Some parts of your philosophy seem to be right on track and I found myself nodding along, however I also took offence to ‘no such thing as poverty’ and your exasperated view of people who work in 2 or 3 different jobs.
Obviously you are in a comfortable enough position to be able to comment in such a way. If you had 2 or 3 children that need far more financial support and stability in accommodation than a single person such as yourself requires, you wouldn’t make such a ridiculous statement about poverty or working in multiple jobs.
I do wish you the best on your minimalism journey though. Thank you for sharing your story.
Dito!
You’re Awakening and…
you’re not alone.
Shalom*
Take a couple of sandwiches with you, sit down to share lunch with a homeless person on the side of the road and ask them their story. Usually they’re happy to talk. I think you’ll learn a lot about what poverty is and isn’t.
Eveytime I read people’s journey to minimalism, I want to clean my house. I took that controversial statement, “made me think that there’s probably….” with a grain of salt. Keywords: “made me think” and probably. Thanks for sharing.
Canis..I like your perspective, and thanks for sharing.
Interesting discussion!
To address a few of the concerns: I won’t remove any RLM profile, except at the request of the person who wrote it — so no worries there. :) I also won’t close comments as long as the discussion remains civil (which I think it has).
Let’s just remember that most of the people who participate in this series are not accustomed to writing for a wide audience — and as such, don’t labor over every phrase to anticipate what might be controversial or misconstrued. It takes courage to put oneself out there, and, generally speaking, I think it’s best to appreciate the overall spirit of these posts.
That said, I’m so grateful to have readers who discuss sensitive topics with intelligence, grace, and respect for others’ opinions (I’ve seen forums where the discourse becomes quite heated and ugly). Thank you for helping me keep this blog a positive and uplifting experience for everyone who visits!
Thank you for sharing your story. I still find your follow-up comments difficult to stomach. I hope you never loose your healthcare and have to rely on an overburdened system for ongoing care and medication. I hope you never loose your home because you lost your job and can’t pay for it anymore. I hope you never have to “camp out” with your family and young children because you have no place to go and you can only stay at shelters so long. I hope you’ve never HAD to sell all your possessions to put food on the table and purchase medication. I hope you never had to sell your plasma because its the only money you could earn that week. I hope you never go to bed praying for a well paying job again so that you can climb out of the hell-hole called poverty you’ve fallen into.
Erin,
I have to agree with you…I can see that religion could clutter one’s thinking but a relationship with Christ is freeing and liberating when control is given to Him.
I also thinks He smiles when we free our lives of material desires
Whoops, sent that too soon.. of material desires, busyness for the sake of being busy or friends that only make our standing look better. What do they say, “We buy things we don’t need, with money we don’t have, to impress people we don’t life..Minimalism is a great thing no matter ones beliefs..We would all have to agree on that :)
Wow, been off the computer for a few days and what a discussion I missed here! I am impressed that this chain of comments has been a little heated and lively, but still civil. I appreciate Maxine jumping in and explaining her policy as well.
To Canis, I think it is awesome that you have been able to reduce to such a meaningul, minimalist existence. To not be burdened by stuff is so freeing. Working hard myself to get to that place! And I have to say that the perception of poverty in America is quite skewed and those who are trying to hardest sometimes seem to get the worst of it! Most of us could get by with a whole lot less than we have!
Bernice
As go your days, so goes your life
“Life was never meant to be a struggle; just a gentle progression from one point to another, much like walking through a valley on a sunny day.”
By Stuart Wilde
I love that quote, it’s a great philosophy for life.
We must remember that not everyone was blessed at birth with health, caring family,etc. I think minimalism is about the ability to make better choices where ever on the economic spectrum we find ourselves. We live very nicely on social security and small pensions, but it doesn’t look like my kids will have any sort of pensions. Minimalism can help them save money for their future.
We lived very frugally for a long time so I could be home with the kids. I learned a great deal about choices. Not everyone lives in a middle class area with good shopping and a public library nearby. Not everyone has good mental health and makes wise decisions. After working for many years, I get a decent amount from social security. A friend who worked all her life in retail never made much money and gets a much smaller social security check. I also get a small pension, many people don’t. My husband and I saved our money, many people today have no savings, not even a year’s income put away.
My son worked part time in retail while looking for a better job. He lived in our spare room for a while, then moved in with his sister. He was able to live very cheaply. My nephew works part time and lives with his parents. I think there are probably a lot of recent college graduates who earn very little and are living with relatives. Rents in places like Chicago and LA are high.
A friend of mine lives on a very small income. She is in her 80’s. She visits 2-3 food pantries each month. She gets a few dollars worth of SNAP (food stamp) benefits. She gives away the kid cereal and other food items she doesn’t eat. Another woman I know has a small child and is living on a friend’s couch. She has a physical disability. She gets a lot of her clothing given to her by friends and again, gets food. The worst thing is to be homeless or have a mental illness. Then you can’t make the best decisions for yourself or your child. If you are poor in a middle class area, you are much better off than a poor person in an area where no one has anything.