There’s a popular Buddhist story about Layman P’ang, a successful merchant in 8th century China. He was a family man who, instead of becoming a monk, chose to pursue a lay practice and study the sutras with his wife and children. Worried that his material wealth might impede his path to enlightenment, he put all his worldly possessions in a boat, and sank it in the middle of a river.
Ah, don’t you sometimes wish you could do the same! Decluttering can be a long and arduous process, as we agonize over each possession. Should we keep it? Should we part with it? What if we need it next week/next month/next year? Wash, rinse, and repeat with the next item. It seems much easier, and certainly more expedient, if we could heave it all in one go and not look back.
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to “sink my boat” when I moved overseas. I had only weeks to divest myself of the majority of my stuff–and to be honest, it was a minimalist’s dream come true. Who knows how long it may have taken me to declutter, had I not had such a powerful incentive?
Of course, not everyone has the benefit of a long-distance move to make them instantly revalue (and release) their possessions. But sinking the boat sure does make for an interesting (and perhaps enlightening) thought experiment.
Is there a category of possessions you wish you could part with in one fell swoop? Your stash of yarn? Your dusty sports equipment? Your atticful of inherited heirlooms?
Or is your excess cargo less tangible—such as unfulfilling commitments, unrewarding relationships, or unreasonable expectations?
Please share with us in the Comments: what would you sink in your boat?
{Note: please don’t take this metaphor for decluttering as a recommendation to pollute the waterways with consumer detritus. Your castoffs can do much more good on land than at the bottom of a river. :)}
{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.}
I would go for false hope. Both in the ‘magical’ charms I have bought in the past (although all those are already sunk) and mentally the beliefs of I don’t need to live my life, I can buy the answer over the internet and never leave this room
I often wish I could sink the “memory” items in my life. I have a box of old photographs, letters, things that would not scan easily and which I dont feel I can get rid of. I love holidays and the stuff from holidays goes in a big plastic box, which again I rarely look at but cannot bring myself to dump. The other things I wish I could dump are file boxes. I have gone through them as much as I can but have to keep some stuff for future reference; in case the tax man decides he needs a look, etc., etc., etc. I would dearly love to dump all this in a rowing boat and sink it!
All our stuff just “sank”. We had a really bad mold problem in our apartment (I was vomiting for months, DD’s nose was bleeding, we had constant flu’s and a host of other problems..). When we finally realized what was the problem, we took off immediately and moved to my dad’s house. Well, moving is an exaggeration, since we only took one half-filled suitcase of clothes and essentials. And we soon realized that we could not tolerate any of the things we brought from our old home, and we had to replace everything. Seriously, after washing my clothes twice in hot water, I sniffed them and ran to vomit.
But actually, we don’t need or want to replace most of the stuff we had.. just goes to show how much you really “need”, as we were already minimalists, three people living spaciously in a 600 sf apartment. But obviously we still had stuff we don’t really need ;) We are lucky though, that my dad agreed to rent this house to us for now, fully furnished and equipped, so we REALLY don’t need anything. And I love not having to own much of anything..
I’d have to go with unreasonable expectations of myself, mostly my own doing. Sinking them is far more difficult than that of physical objects, even though that has been a bit of an agony lately, as well, since we moved recently. We were happy to see that our possessions has dwindled since the last move some years ago – yay! – but personally I’m continuously torn about stuff I’d like to get rid of, but now afraid to. I’ve gotten rid of such a great amount of personal belongings in the last years, and now I’m hitting the really tough part of how far I have the guts to go…My innate wish to please others before myself has surfaced again and I’m working on it. In the end I know I’ll choose my own happiness over my qualms, but I’ trying to find a way to do it in a
non-destructive or blaming way.
A timely post and really interesting in its context of the Buddhist story. Thank you, Francine!
Oh..where to begin? Definitely regrets about the past. The “if only I had said that or done thats” that constantly plague me. And the unhappy relationships of the present. Plus all those little random bits and pieces that are lying around. How many notebooks does one person need, for example? And finally, into my metaphorical boat, I would throw in my waning, but still quite strong, need to buy stuff.
I sank my boat when I joined the Navy. ;) I knew I could only bring a duffle bag, back pack and my purse with me because I didn’t have room. I left 2 bins in storage with a friend. After six months, I had the contents shipped to me and my little “dorm” room. Everything else, from furniture to clothing and all kinds of items were sank. The great part is I also sank any guilt that was associated with those items. There were some things that were passed down to me or given to me, out of kindness, that I did not want. It was a great excuse to get rid of them and I gave my stuff to a family who needed a few things.
I recently sank my guilt boat. I know longer with be held accountable for other people’s actions and choices and let it bother me. You make a choice, you live with it. I don’t have to fix EVERYTHING!!! : )
Heather, I used to be in the USN too years ago & darn near forgot how carefree it was to have just a few possessions in my seabag. Maybe I didn’t even notice that at the time but I sure notice it now with all the stuff I know have.
My husband & I are actually looking at becoming live-aboards full time & deep down the thought of going back to a seabag-style life is so very very appealing.
Best of luck in the Navy mate!
Jane
I have been out for quite a few years but isn’t it funny how simple it was? I really think about it and I feel I can get back to that…even with a family. Why not push myself right? Rock on Shipmate!!! : )
One of the women who does our blog had to be evacuated because of the wildfires. She put everything that really mattered in their small car, and told me that if everything else burned down it could always be replaced. As long as she has her family, pictures, important documents, and enough clothes to last a few days, they can make do and start over. I think that is a good attitude to have. We need to remember that our stuff is just stuff. We may like our comfortable couch or pans for cooking, but in the long run those things don’t bring happiness. You carry it with you, and if you have to replace the things you can still be happy. The less you are attached to stuff, and the less stuff you have, the easier it is to let it go.
An interesting analogy (and a bit disconcerting for someone who lives aboard…I’m going to start telling people that we were engaging in an ancient minimalist practice last summer, after we hit the rocks…LOL…anyway….)
But, actually, we did “sink the boat” metaphorically, after the boating accident last summer. I think people can live with much less than they think they need, and doing a “trial run” really helped us to see that.
I have a box full of old photo’s that I never ever think to look at. The classic question of what would you grab from your home if youhad just a few minutes before a wildfire consumes it – what would you grab? Well it certainely wouldn’t be those photo’s. My pet parrots, my dog, my husband, my laptop & my purse. Truly important papers are in a safe deposit box at the bank.
That box of family photo’s are not something I care about, but then again, I’m not a person who focuses on the past or feels the need to look back on what was or wasn’t. I’m more a here & now type.
I almost mailed off those photo’s to be scanned digitally but changed my mind once I got to thinking about the cost & would I actually even look at those pictures. I knew the answer was no (& no, I’m not inclined to pass these photo’s onto another family member as my Mom made everyone a zillion copies).
The husband & I have been contemplating moving onto a boat full-time. If we do Indeed go that route, I won’t for a second regret ditching those old photo’s or much of anyhting else that we have accumulated – pets notwithstanding..
Re: taking stuff from the wildfires—take your “Ps”: People, pets, photographs, prescriptions, paperwork (birth certificates, etc. I would also grab my laptop. I mentally thought about what I could fit into my small car, and what I would rescue first (after pets and people). After learning this, I began thinking about how much I could do without, and got my second wind in decluttering.
Thanks Robin!!!
I would take my children’s bedrooms (not my children) and sink them. I try not to push my minimalism on them (in fear they may become Hoarders out of rebellion) but just walking past their rooms and their trinkets drives me crazy.
Christa I could write your post word for word. Another little trinket came home from school today to be added to the desk littered with so many other bits and pieces.
I would also add everything in our garage to the boat. I do love a clean minimal garage.
Because I’m at the beginning of my minimalizing venture, I think it would have to be more like a “barge”, LOL, but I think this is helpful mental imagery to ponder on.
I wish I could get this through my husband’s head. He is always saving little trinkets of technological things. And his reason is “Oh, I could use it in the future”. Guess how many of those little half broken, useless items I’ve trashed and he has yet to notice? Oh yes, I am a sneaky one. I never get rid of anything that is useful parts wise but I do get rid of the junk.
I’d like to sink a boatload of bathroom items first. All those lotions and and things. I get rid of the stuff all the time yet it still required an entire very full box when moving time came. What IS it all?? I think next I’d like to sink my clothes because I can get so sentimental if I am at it (decluttering) for too long. My husband and I have been together long enough and I’m young enough that I look at things and think, oh, but I wore that the time we went to the _____ game or the _____ dance.
I’ve had the benefit of an overseas move myself and there are few things I find myself missing back home. We moved with about 6 suitcases/duffels, a messenger bag, and a backpack and left one POD of stuff in storage back in northern Delaware. I know that we certainly will need the furniture when we return, but how much of the rest of it do I really need? I’ve read more minimalist thoughts since I’ve been away from my “stuff” and I am itching to get back to it just so I can get rid of it. It’s a large-scale version of the same game I used to play with myself when I was still living at home: put a bunch of stuff I thought I could do without (usually clothes) in a bag and put it in the guest room closet. A few months later I’d usually find the bag, forgetting it had been there and figured, well it looks like I don’t need those things. Occasionally I would find myself digging through the bag for an item, but it was rare and my system allowed for that.
Happy minimizing!
Kelley, I have a tiny box in which I keep a reminder of my “memory” clothes. I usually cut around a button with a 2 inch square of fabric and it’s enough to remind me of what I was wearing the night I met my (now) husband.
I’m not particularly sentimental but clothes remind me so much of who I was/ wanted to be/ thought I was at that time in my life.
Karen (Scotland)
“Outstanding” items – those things that hang around.
The red cardigan I’m knitting for my two year old (which was originally for my four year old); the wedding memory stuff (been married ten years now and still haven’t put the stuff into an album); the old iMac sitting next to me (don’t know if it’s dead or can be fixed so needs a trip, without kids, to the nearest city).
Those things that need a bit of time and concentration – things I currently lack – to produce a “result”.
Karen
(Scotland)
We moved oversees a few months ago too, so we took this fabulous opportunity to “sink our boat” too. My husband and I felt (and still feel) so relieved after letting go of nearly all of our material possessions! We now live a real minimalist life, and only want to declutter more (we will be moving abroad again soon, so we will probably declutter some more, especially clothes). What a great experiment!
I REALLY need a kick in the pants!! I try to do a little each week but then the toddler stuff seems to come out of every corner of my house and I feel like I’m back to square one! The latest realization i’m having is all the toys she used to play with even 3 months ago are hardly ever touched anymore. She’s more into my houseware than anything else! brooms, mixing bowls, etc.
I would sink those things that have would have significant monetary value if I took the time to sell them. I detest the process of selling stuff online or at yard sales so I keep putting it off and the stuff sits in a spare room – neglected but not forgotten.
I have donated or thrown out so much stuff in the past two years but I am now to the point that I am struggling with the stuff that I would not miss if it were gone but I can’t bring myself to simply give it away.
I sometimes daydream about losing the stuff in a disaster. If I had it to all over again, I probably would not replace 75% of the stuff in my house.
I also am holding on to items that I would like to sell. Post is so expensive where I live that I can’t even reasonably sell on ebay. And then when I go to N. America, I don’t want to spend my vacation time selling things! One more reason to not buy in the first place, I guess. I have not yet been able to bring myself to just cut my losses and get rid of the items in a less profitable manner.
Thanks for the post that reminded me to put my important papers in a place where they would be easy to grab in case of fire etc.
Ditto your entire comment, Jennifer!
I am from Colorado, and have had many friends evacuated due to the extreme wildfires we are experiencing, and unfortunately a few who have lost their homes. It has really put things into perspective for me. If I was given the order to evacuate, I would want to be able to immediately grab a few sentimental items (along with my hard drive) that mean the most to me, without having to really think hard about it since I would probably be a bit panicky.
Though I have done well de-cluttering over the past year, I still see that I have kept many sentimental items. So I think I would “sink” any sentimental items that don’t jump to my mind in my own evacuation scenario inside my head.
I’m in the UK and haven’t heard about the wildfires – that must be very scary to live with. I like your idea for prioritising though. I have a little doom and evacuation loop in my head from being a child abroad and doing earthquake evacuation practice. I know what would be important to take but never thought of it as a way to prioritise. Thank you.
I’d sink my books (except for my kindle) including my textbooks from college and my yearbooks. I’d sink my keychain collection that I spent my earlier years acquiring, and I’m currently listing on ebay one-by-one to make a few cents per keychain. Everything in my junk drawers. All of the gifts people gave me that I feel too guilty to let go of.
Aside from my photos, important documents, kindle and my Mac and phone, I think I’d sink everything. Having a do-over would be remarkably freeing. To get rid of all of the wedding gifts we chose when I was 22 (and didn’t care or have an opinion) and all of the crap we’ve acquired that doesn’t really hold any meaning, would be quite freeing. I’m actually trying to sink the boat right now. It is taking some time, but we’ll get there. I’d also throw in all of my self-doubt and perfectionism and impatience.
I’ve been on the minimalist journey for about a year and a half now. Francine’s book, THE JOY OF LESS, really helped me shift my thinking about stuff.
However, yesterday I had a wonderful job interview (which would require us to move rapidly out of state) that ended by being told I was their #1 pick. About an hour later I got notified the position was placed on hold.
I immediately wanted to eat. I mean pig out!!! After a few hours of not doing this, I then wanted to buy a “sale” Filofax (some women like shoes, I love office supplies).
After about 5 hours of wrestling with craving sugary junk food/or wanting to buy something TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER…I realized that I have used things to help me cope and as a substitution for intangibles in life. In this case, I was trying to substitute food/an expensive office supply that logically I know will NOT work for accepting the job and making moving arrangements.
It was a huge epiphany.
So, I think I’m in the process of “sinking” my physical interactions with food and objects to cope with emotionally stressful situations.
Has anyone else had this realization? How have you dealt with it?
Francine, you’ve talked a lot about purging possessions…any way you could write a post about mental clutter?
I’ve also struggled with eating to cope with stress, boredom, or cravings from medications. It’s really, really hard. I don’t think it will every fully sink for me. Minimalism has helped some; when I go to the store I think, do I really need to eat that? Do I really want it? I go thorugh periods of sucess and periods of failure. I wish I could easily sink my extra weight! I would like to see more real life minimalist posts from people who have delt with mental and emotional clutter since minimalism as a philosophy has so much potential beyond the physical relm. There have been some posts from people who have made choices to be vegan or vegetarian, but not many (or any) from people struggling with eating disorders or mental illness (aside from hoarding). Or when dealing with the end of something that involved letting go that if given the choice, they would not have parted with.
Things I wish I could sink but would take with me in an emergency: glasses, contacts, prescription meds, mouth gaurd so I don’t grind my teeth, tax papers(taking care of it all is such a pain).
Things I wish I could sink that I have no control over: my roommate’s boxes of stuff.
Things to really sink: little things like extra pieces of jewlery, papers, free frisbee, stress ball, several pieces of clothing, all those little cluttery pieces that add up.
I’d toss in my propensity to inertia — how is it possible to want something SO much and yet not move ONE INCH towards that goal??? Insanity?
Amen to that, sister!
Anna, many times I know what I have to do to have a better life but then do nothing about it. That’s frustrating!
I love everyones comments and I should have started by saying I love love love your posts!
What would I love to sink all in one swift move? Our livingroom computer unit.
About a year ago I did a swift boat sink of all bathroom items & it was amazing!!! Best thing I did!!! I’m sure there was wasted money but I couldn’t keep looking at the same products taking up space, I felt the cost of them there more than I did in the bin or given to the bathroom at work (the ladies should always be lovely :) ).
It all really kicked off when we moved house. I convinced my other half we should hire a skip & sure enough it worked :) he found his desire to start parting with things :) it was great 2 skips later, 50 odd boxes to charity & we/ I felt great :)
Sink the metaphorical boat!!!
My bedroom furniture would go. It’s been a millstone around my neck for 20 years: big, chunky stuff that fills the room and oppresses me. Ugh! Letters and diaries would go too.
Love this post ;o).
Heirlooms, wedding gifts (for my fantasy self), wedding dress (still happily married, but no need for the dress) anything connecting with guilt + all my husbands unopened boxes in the basement. What a bliss if those things sank.
Four boxes of china sitting in my attic. My Mother-in-law gave it to me, it belonged to her aunt. ANd now it belongs to me as I was told I need to keep it in the family. She has a daughter , shouldn’t it go to her? Many times I’ve thought of packing it up and dropping it off at my sister-in-laws’ house.
Do it!
I hate stuff like that. My family expects me to keep stuff in the family. I finally went and boxed all that stuff up and returned it to my parents. If they want to keep it they are welcome to do so. I offered all of my grandmothers china to my sister who is now the keeper of it. I have kept only the stuff that is special to me, not special to others. I expect they are both a little put out and they mumble that I have no sentimental attachment to stuff. They are wrong, I do. But I am fed up with having to get through that stuff to get to what is really important.
I feel bad for my parents because they are drowning in stuff. I see how it burdens their life as they don’t have the energy to maintain it anymore, but can’t let go of it. It is the same for my sister. I see how she is burdened by it. My sister seems to what to emulate my home sometimes, but my house is nothing fancy. It is pretty plain and could use some work. I do not have her nice light fixtures, and pretty painted walls. I have white walls with spots of spackle that have not been sanded or painted (yet). What I can’t seem to impart is that it can’t be emulated it by acquiring more (no container, no paint color, ), but by having less and letting go.
Debra,
DO IT! Call your Mother-in-law, tell her you don’t want the china anymore, ask her if her daughter might like to have it, because if not, you are simply getting rid of it! :) JUST DO IT!
I’d like to sink all of those things that take some time to sort out/ finally get out of your life (as Karen said). I love cleaning the crap but don’t love reforming it! Especially things that can’t be re-used or recycled…)
Would also like to ditch my scatty brain and gain more focus.
Also agreeing with Anna about ditching inertia :)
I’d ‘sink’ all my books by donating them all to charity shops, and get all the ones I REALLY wanted to read on my kindle :) Instant de-cluttering, whilst keeping all the goodness, and passing the same goodness on to others! :) Great post! Katie. xxx
I am a guest researcher at a foreign university in Europe, normally from a university in the Midwest. I came with one backpack with 2 laptops, an ebook reader, phone, and chargers, and one suitcase with clothes. I would sink everything that I don’t have with me in this room, except my cats which are staying at a family member’s house!
I once lost everything to a house fire.
Not quite the enlighted experience you would like it to be.
Thanks for this. There’s a bit of a tendency on minimalist websites to romanticize losing all of ones possessions.
Same with moving. Yes, I moved overseas and dramatically reduced my possessions, which was satisfying in many ways. But there was a lot I had to re-buy (a mattress for example, and a bedframe to avoid mould issues), and the waste and expensive involved in that really does make me feel a bit sick.
I don’t think anyone is romanticizing *losing* everything you have. There’s a huge difference between *choosing* to simplify and get rid of items that do not enrich your life in any way, and having things that are important to you taken away without any say in the matter.
That said, I am truly sorry that that happened to you. :(
(sorry, that last sentence was supposed to be to Sam re: the house fire.)
We sank most of our stuff by having an estate sale when we moved into an RV. But, I’m keeping the photos. Having had a MIL with Alzheimers I now know the value of memory aids.
LOL-ing here…I *tried* to sink the cross-stitch boat one time by giving all my embroidery silks and cloth to my mother to give to a friend of hers who was a beautiful sewer. Five years later the friend gave it all back to my mother because the friend was moving away! So my mom gave it back to me. I scuttled the boat via Freecycle just this year.
What a great post!
I’ve thought about this all day. I would need a large boat. I would sink my formal china, crystal, silver and anything too fragile to use. Paperwork that has no end and reproduces on it’s own, fru-fru clothes and shoes and anything that is the least bit uncomfortable, everything in the attic, all the extra stuff I keep just-in-case and the window blinds that are forever dusty.
Why do we keep the things that we don’t want?
I would sink our whole entertainment center (tv, DVD player, speakers, play station, wii). I finally convinced my husband yesterday to post it on Craigslist (we never use it and it takes up so much space). I’m hoping it sells quickly. I would also sink my clothes…. I hate having two sizes of clothes…. I’m so close to getting back into my prebaby clothes so I can’t get rid of them…. I feel like that would be giving up on loosing the weight. Plus, I use to buy more expensive clothes than I do now so it makes it harder to part with them. I would also sink most of our artwork that was purchased preminimalism days. Wow, I think I have more decluttering left than I thought!
About a month ago my phone crashed. All stored numbers lost, and there were about two hundred of them, gathered for a long time. Had to renew, and now I have less than twenty which I actually use. Read this post and had a think – how much of what I have I actually use? I don’t have much as I can proudly call myself a minimalist, but it always seems I could live with even less. I’d like to move to some place where the sun shines all year long, and then I wouldn’t need winter clothes. The longer I live, the less I need. Don’t know why.
I live in Florida and I don’t have any winter clothes. I couldn’t imagine having two sets of clothes!
I moved abroad in a fairly last minute way a couple of years ago. I divested myself of a lot, but didn’t have the time to take care of the things that require more thought. I’d like to go back to my small storage unit and sink much of what is in there. I also would like to go through my handful of boxes in my parents’ attic and sink much of that – luckily I’ll get to do this in August. I am very much considering burning the pages of my old diaries. I almost did the last time that I was there, but ended up seeing so much good of myself in there that I don’t credit myself for enough. I think I need to spend more time to go through carefully and tear some pages out to save.
Even more metaphorically, I’d like to sink my apparent attachment to regret, worry, and guilt. I’d also love to sink my recent poor health, but that one’s a bit trickier.
I’d also love to escape from paperwork! I live in a very paperwork heavy country and am constantly battling that. My old bank used to send a letter if I transferred money from chequing to savings! Luckily I’ve switched to a less paperwork intensive bank.
Abby, getting the boxes out of your parents’ attic would make them feel lighter. That would be a nice place to start. I’d also like to sink my poor health! I know what I have to do, like exercise and eat better, go to bed earlier, but then I don’t do it. It is very frustrating. Hopefully I’ll start soon. Next week it’s my birthday and I think I’ll start to do something to feel better. I’m tired of feeling sick and tired!
I would like to sink my old diaries. I suffered depression much of my life and my diaries reflect that. Actually, I’m currently in the process of burning them. Good riddance to bad memories!
I did. One day I begun to look through my old diaries, letters and photograph, and there was so much sadness in there… I realised those gloomy boxes were actually a constant reminder and a burden, and I keeping them was a senseless duty. I tossed everything away in a three-day marathon. The fourth day I cried every tear in my body, and in the evening I was good as new. I never regretted.
I burned my diaries too! It took a lot of steeling myself – I had page-a-day diaries for 15 years (16-31 years old). One day I realised that every time I opened them to read I was mostly disheartened – years of my parent’s divorce; my in-laws’ divorce; my break-up, my divorce… I just thought: why keep boxing these volumes up and moving them from new home to new home? Why not just let go? Now I live my life and don’t record it. Freedom.
Next thing to tackle is the taking of photographs. I would like to see the view and not record it.
Okay, you are all motivating me to ditch my diaries. And Bonnie, your comment made me realize that I need to do it in an environment where I can have some time to read and cry and move on. So I think that means bringing them home from my parents’ house in my luggage and finding the right time at home and not on vacation.
I believe you’re right, Abby. I did it while my kids were on vacation at their father’s. I didn’t plan it this way, I just happened to feel an urge to open those boxes once I was left alone. But it sure was a good coincidence. Good luck to all of you who are thinking of doing the same! I wish it does you as good as it did me!
Thanks Bonnie, I appreciate the encouragement. I’m glad it was such a good thing for you.
Hmmm…what would I sink in my boat…
I would sink almost everything in my kitchen (with the exception of my rice cooker and bento stuff) to include the pantry.
I would sink most of our furniture.
I would sink all my painting except one (I am an artist). I actually did this once before when I left home, I took this same one painting with me and gave my family the rest of my artwork.
All of my fine china.
Everything in our basement room that has become a storage facility.
All the misc. stuff I have been trying to sell on ebay and craigslist. (I am so tired of receiving questionable emails from the craigslist folks.) One more round and I will sink this boat.
I would sink most of the boxes of moldy books and trinkets that came from my father-in-laws house when he passed away.
I would sink all my legos. Yes, I am in my 30’s with a GIANT lego collection. I have been saving it for my daughter who’s 5 and only shows a mild interest in them. I would sell them, but I keep hoping she will start using them. I would hate to sell them only to have her start to really play with them and wish she had the ones I sold. There is enough to build stuff bigger than her.
This is a coincidence that you posted this today because I am in the process of “sinking a boat”! We are moving to Miami for graduate school this Sunday (I have never lived at a place like Miami before), and I have been able to “sink” so many things (to Goodwill). We were able to fit our entire life into our cars :) I felt like my minimalist adventure that started two years ago when I found this blog payed off when we were able to easily shut the doors to our cars with everything inside.
Just this morning, I finally parted with some old paintings that carried some negative feelings with them. I had been taking those paintings with me every time I have moved for the past 5 or so years. Every time I moved the paintings, I would stash them away in my closet, and wish I could get rid of them one day. They just carried this sentimental value that didn’t even feel good…it just made me feel strained. But finally, this morning I got rid of them! You posted this, and now I feel even better about it. While I got rid of them I thought about your post about no regrets. That post helps me keep being a minimalist, because I too never have regretted getting rid of anything. Thanks again for all you do!
*paid off!! lol i can’t believe i wrote payed.
Terrific post and terrific comments! You have all inspired me!
While I like to think that I’ve gotten good at getting rid of things once I identify that I’d put them on the boat, I’m sure there’s plenty. Hmmm, two old computers, the papers in my files I don’t really need, about half my books (still in boxes after a recent move, so a little hard to go thru). Oh! and the stoneware dishes from childhood my SO persists in hanging onto, even though we’ve never used it, thru two moves and nearly ten years. Luckily, only three small (if heavy) boxes.
My dad’s mom lived alone for 20 years, and in all that time nobody in the family had seen past the foyer of her apartment. After developing Alzheimer’s and being deemed unfit to care for herself, she was put in an assisted living community. It was only after that that we saw inside the apartment. I’ve seen a lot of scary things in my life, but nothing compared to this hoarder’s apartment. Just knowing that she lived there for all those years among all of that stuff gives me the creeps.
As someone who has had difficulty getting rid of stuff, seeing the hoarder’s apartment was the wake up call I needed. I’ve gotten rid of a lot of stuff and am in the process of moving out more. I feel better already! Oh, and I saw earlier posts from people who were in the Navy. I’m actually trying to join right now, and I definitely look forward to the minimalist living!
I’d sink several relationships! :) I’d sink a bunch of extra tools and project stuff that is hanging out
‘waiting for the right time’ (never gonna be a right time!). I’d sink all our old computer/printer/cords/keyboard stuff and combine it all into something (laptop, etc) and keep it much simpler. I’d sink all our luggage (except for one piece/person, and that is one SMALL piece!); and old sports equipment; some furniture, plates, extra bed linens and towels! :)
I ‘m moving overseas in two weeks, with one suitcase of clothes, my kids’ favourite toys and books, and three pieces of furniture I really like. Over the last months I’ve sold, donated and tossed everything in my house. I feel very happy and light.
But this is the second time an overseas move makes me sink my boat. And the first time was a complete failure. I think there were two causes. One: I had a toddler and a baby constantly in my arms, and no time to calmly go through things. The intrusion of strangers coming to prey on my stuff was especially painful at that intimate family time. Two: my then husband had different ideas about what was important to save. He convinced me to keep all our books and memories, while dumping all the house things. I felt I was left with the garbage, while all the useful stuff was gone and it was so difficult to buy anew in my new place. That’s why in my subsequent move, I decided to keep everything and I ended up in a small apartment crammed with useless things! Only then, a few months ago, did I become ready to let go. A pressure to sink your boat can be very motivating, but you have to be ready…!
The Shippers are coming tomorrow as next week I make my 2nd transatlantic move.
2 & 1/2 years ago I cleared out a lot of stuff and moved across the atlantic to work.
After 18 months I went home for the summer last year – spent time going through some of the leaving presents I had, clothes I had left and other personal stuff. Lots of stuff was binned or given to the charity shop.
Now as I go home I have had the motivation to sort through all my stuff here and when I get home and take all my things out of storage (at my parents) I will go through everything again and I have no doubt some of it will be binned or given to the charity shop.
I haven’t ruled out the possibility of another overseas move and have no income for the next year (living off my savings as I study for a year) so am aiming to have less stuff in 12 months time than I do today.
I would like to ‘sink’ some less tangible things: fear, regrets, distractions, and other people’s expectations. Great post and comments, and great food for thought here.