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 we hear from Alex Gonzo, a 21-year-old college student majoring in philosophy. He’s also a fellow minimalist and runs a witty humor blog when he’s not studying.
Alex writes:
Alex Gonzo
My interest in minimalism was an accident. Trust me, I hadn’t the slightest clue what downsizing was, because my friends always invited me to go out and buy things with them. We’d go to the mall and buy hats, shoes, ties, DVDs, and a bunch of other junk.
I was earning minimum wage as an employee in a pastry shop that might as well be called Kingdom Crumb, so when one of my bank statements fell to my IQ level (not very high), I knew it was time to cut costs.
And working at Kingdom Crumb was only part-time; I had a full load of classes and lived on campus at my local college. That had to change, too. The cost of housing wasn’t a detriment at the moment, but I knew it’d hurt after graduation when I had to repay, especially as a philosophy major.
So I moved back with my parents and commuted. I still do. By moving away from the rowdy campus scene, I had effectively changed my environment, meaning that it was much easier to decline invitations and spend less.
My bedroom has always been tiny, but after reading Zen Habits and Miss Minimalist, I felt like there was a lot more to do. I built up the courage to throw away all the junk I had no 6-month-plan for, and I focused on the present. When my friends came over to see my room, they examined its sparseness with disbelief, and one of them even asked me if I had become a serial killer.
The funny thing is, I initially used minimalism as a way to save money, but it turned out to be my greatest accomplishment (aside from enrolling as a philosophy major; philosophy has helped make this mental challenge much simpler). Now I wake up every day and see blank walls, an oak dresser, a computer desk, and my mattress. That’s it. No curtains, either, because I’m bold like that. This “blankness” perfectly matches the blank stare I give my professors when we mull over topics like ontological empiricism and logical modality.
Philosophy has helped me analyze my problems, and minimalist blogs have narrowed my focus. Together they’ve proven masterful in the form of triage. Nowadays I think twice before buying anything, because I don’t want to ruin my room’s blankness. Life is much clearer this way; I can focus on what’s truly important to me – my humor blog and philosophy. Oh, and frat parties. Can’t forget those!
{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.}
It’s always nice to see a person the same age as me take the path of minimalism. I always wished I took philosophy at university as I know the perspective would have been wonders for becoming a minimalist.
It’s very true how much you seem to spend at uni with going out and stuff, I can sympathise a lot with you there. Nice blog too :)
Hey, Tim. Philosophy is great, but business will work just as well. You can always study philosophy in your spare time; only weirdos like me decide to major in the field without planning to enroll in law school.
Thanks for dropping by. :)
Great post Alex, I really enjoyed your humour and witty, insightful prose. There is definitely a logical link between minimalism and philosophy. Once minimalism has cleared space in our lives, philosophy comes in handy for tackling underlying mental clutter and any other issues we face, as well as helping us figure out what is really important to us so we can focus fully in the present. All the best with your study!
That means a lot to me, Kim. I’m working on a post that aims to link the two more closely.
Haha, thanks for the LOLs :D
I also always stop before buying anything because I don’t want to ruin my sparse home, half empty closet and my constant source of satisfaction: lack of choice. I hate to mull over choices like, “am I feeling like a free spirited flowery dress or tough-as-nails biker jacket, or wait, is the combination of these two the hottest hot right now, or is it already so over???? ”
Really. Just give me a pair of jeans and a sweater.
If you’d said “Just give me a pair of leggings and a tunic”, I could have written your comment…
:-)
Karen (Scotland)
Oh sister! I’m in complete agreement with your “source of satisfaction”
Cat’s Meow, you have a lovely blog. Beautiful photos.
This was fun to read, Alex. You’re way further down the mental minimalist route than me, that’s for sure. I still haven’t the patience for philosophical pondering but look forward to the day I might have cleared enough clutter from my life to actually sit down and “think” about things a bit more.
Karen (Scotland)
Hi, Karen.
When I cleared my room, I thought, “Out of sight, out of mind.” And that holds true to an extent; living an ascetic lifestyle helps us become more aware of other experiences that may be better to focus on than material possessions. It works that way with brain plasticity too: take away one sense and the brain adjusts itself to strengthen the other senses. Oh yeah, and it’s easier to save more cash with fewer possessions.
“Triage”. I love that line…great post BTW
I’ve been impressed to hear all the stories from young adults. They are saving themselves alot of grief by living simply now instead accumulating alot of stuff {read DEBT} as they’re venturing into school, career, creating a home, developing relationships. I see this as really taking a strength of character that allows them to go against the culture that says SPEND or you won’t fit in or be accepted.
I can imagine that the choices they’re making now will allow them to travel light, to live lives of freedom and service to others, to develop the spiritual and relational sides of life which add such meaning and give hope and comfort, which things can never provide.
And their IRAs will most likely be hefty since they’re not spending like crazy.
They’ve got no albatross around their necks. I love it.
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2011/07/albatross-around-our-necks.html
Your post is HILARIOUS, young Gonzo. And no spelling mistakes!!!
Sup, Brady Lady! I do my best to abide by the laws of syntax and grammar, but mistakes still happen.
I second that emotion! Alex, you’re a scream — and a great writer.
I wish I could say I’d never heard of ontological empiricism or logical modality, but I read a lot of David Foster Wallace, who was also a philosophy major before becoming a writer.
Alex, thanks for putting smile on my face and a laugh in my heart so early on a Monday morning. Best of luck to you.
Hey, it’s funny that you mention Wallace. I’ve read The Pale King and Infinite Jest and I actually link to those works on my blog. I’m really amazed someone else brought him up! He style is prolix, but an obsessive literary genius.
Alex, you are too funny. I laughed out loud, yes really. And what a great story you had to share with us. Going to check out your blog now …
Thanks, Carolyn! I do my best but my humor is often dry. I’m so glad that you like what you see.
Alex for President!
Alex, I like your style.
You are funny and awesome.
I love how the real life minimalists you showcase are of varied ages, but I love how recently you have had younger ones…very heartening.
Alex, you’re a funny guy. It’s pretty cool when someone’s sense of humor can squeeze out between the words. Now I’m on my way to check out your blog.
Alex said, “so when one of my bank statements fell to my IQ level (not very high)”.
Alex, your IQ is just fine. Plus you have a sense of humor.
If I knew now what I didn’t know when I was moving carloads of ‘stuff’ into my dorm room…I have a picture from that time of my room – bed and desk and wonder how I could ever relax with so much ‘noise’ from all the stuff!
Alex, dry humour is the best, be proud, you would fit in well here in Australia. I am so pleased for you finding minimalism at a young age – I wish I could go back. I was minimalist in my 20s without knowing I was and then as marriage and house buying came along, it all went out the window. However I’m back with the ‘movement’ now and all is good. Can you explain what a frat party is please?
Thanks Nicole. Australia is on my list of places to visit. I long to sample your laidback culture and meet some friendly people like you there. Minimalism does take some self-discipline, but I think it is definitely warranted. A frat party is just a silly party that fraternities (all male college clubs) throw; drinking games and dubious behavior comprise many of these parties, and nobody remembers what they did the next morning.
Alex, you’ve been added to my RSS feed. I did a little philosophy in my undergrad days, but the philosophy club slowly morphed into more of a drinking club as time went on.
Hey Jonathan. It’s true that many philosophers tend to experiment with alcohol and illicit substances. I guess it comes with the territory when searching for answers, but I haven’t tried anything illegal yet. Thanks for subscribing buddy. :)
Enjoyed all the comments. I want to go to Australia too! And lets stay away from illegal substances, it will alter your mind and body and hinder your search for answers! Just an opinion. :) Now I am off to read more about Minimalism. I’m curious….
Alex. One word: COOL! Yes, you are!
Enjoyed this post. In particular, I can identify with the ‘serial killer’ comment your friend made – my husband commented that he didn’t believe I was ‘thinking clearly’ when I got rid of half of my clothing and 3/4 of our silverwear (that we’ll never use – think grapefruit spoons)! I’m the only female I know with less clothing than her husband. If anything, because of my downsizing, I think MORE clearly! Very amusing how something so simple can be so disconcerting to those who don’t fully understand it.
You are hilarious! I am in search of a minimalist babysitter. Maybe you need extra cash and like kids? Great post.
Oh, Laura! If I only lived near you I would have volunteered myself!
Alex, insightful and funny post.
I’m signing up to your site:).
I’m coming to this late. I never had very much and now I have less. I look under the sinks and behind every door and try to make empty space. I can’t stand clutter and mess. The emptier my home is the cleaner it looks. Even my husband has been giving things away lately. Mostly books and hobby stuff.
I have a hard time understanding hoarders and why anyone needs to fill space. I am watching the snow come down and I know there is enough food for a month just in the freezer attached to my refrigerator and my cupboards and they aren’t full. Last night, I pulled some left overs out of the freezer and opened 2 cans and we had dinner. The night before was all odds and ends from the freezer. Nothing is full and we have plenty. I grew up with my mother’s hoarding and I could never live like that. Shelves of sugar and flour and oil. A big storage freezer full of meat. All the closets stuffed.