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 Jim. He’s been living a minimalist life for some time, and is considering a more extreme version for the future. Read more of his thoughts and philosophy on his blog.
Jim writes:
Jim
Hi, my name is Jim. I’ve been a reluctant minimalist most of my life. It really didn’t dawn on me that I’ve been a nomad until just recently, probably due to denial, because as so many others have said consumerism is drilled into most of us from day one. My last move was the most difficult, I took with me only hand tools and what clothes would fit onto the back of my bicycle. Gradually over the past couple of months I’ve realized that I imposed no great hardship upon myself what so ever. In fact I’m beginning to enjoy the experience of being lighter. I’ve actually found that in the stuff that I have left there are things that I don’t (or very seldom) use, which suggests that there are more realizations to realize.
Just recently I’ve begun to toy with an extreme minimalist idea – the concept of living full time aboard a 16 ft open cockpit sailboat. This is still in the early planning and thinking stages but I must admit that the whole idea is intriguing and compelling. And socially responsible. After I’d become aware of the phenomena of global warming I began to cringe when I saw people in enclosed vehicles, parked and with the engine running and the A/C on. The complacency that I witness is now really disconcerting. I’m aware that building the vessel I have in mind would require a certain amount of carbon producing material for its construction, however in the long run I can’t imagine the experience harming the environment any more than a rather poor third world existence. Probably even less.
So I’m becoming a whole hearted minimalist and while I really don’t think that preaching about it would affect anybody in a positive way, I would enjoy interacting with others of like mind. To this end I’ll include my blog address where you can find my online, digital journal. To all minimalists out there ‘Best Wishes’.
{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.}
Hi Jim, Building a boat sounds like a great adventure! All the best. Also, your blog link says that the blog has been deleted. :(
Hi Jim, yes, I would have liked to read your blog and how you came to the place you are in now. And your future plans. But sadly your blog has been deleted. Do let us know if you plan to start up again. Good luck for the future.
I would love to read your blog too Jim.
I am headed towards even a more extreme minimalist lifestyle myself. Very inspiring and exciting at the same time.
“I began to cringe when I saw people in enclosed vehicles, parked and with the engine running and the A/C on.”
Eating animals and their secretions causes more damage to the environment than the emissions from all cars, buses and airplanes. If you really want to help the environment, become a vegetarian or, better yet, a vegan.
Happy sailing!
I almost choked on the irony of your comment, Kelly, about suggesting vegetarianism/veganism! Why? In reply to a comment on Kalya’s feature (4 November 2013), you stated, “There is nothing more annoying than someone finding a new way of life, whether becoming a vegetarian, quitting smoking or joining a religious organisation, and then trying to impose their beliefs/changes on others.” LOL! LOL! LOL! That is EXACTLY what you have done – tried to impose your beliefs on others! It is almost too funny for words! :-D
Dear Jim,
Many congratulations on your bravery & courage! I thank you for sharing your story, and for your consciousness of our challenged planet . . . and it’s existence. I am sure going against the ‘norms’ of society can be a very lonely place at times. Most of us would never be able to accomplish what you’ve done, and are setting out to do. Most of the resistance or criticism you come across will be fear others are projecting, as it is scary to think of how much LESS we can all live with. Thinking about it is scary, DOING IT = Commendable !! I will keep you in my prayers and blessings for your safety, success and peace.
Hoping you can keep us posted on your blog.
Thank you again !
Surrounding you with Angels,
Maura
My husband and I have considered moving onto a sailboat in the future as well. I look forward to reading your blog and seeing what happens.
MarieG lifesimplybalanced.com
I clicked on my blog link and cringed. It was not deleted, I just changed my user name. Oh well, live and learn. Clicking on my name should take you to my blog. My apologies for the inconvenience.
Your name takes us to your brilliant Fickr stream also, Jim. Best of luck with the boat and continue living a great life on your own terms. Well done!
“I’ve actually found that in the stuff that I have left there are things that I don’t (or very seldom) use, which suggests that there are more realizations to realize.”
Same thing here. I’ve moved to England for a year with just one suitcase of stuff, I probably now have two ’cause I do love shopping for clothes in England :D, but it’s really all I need, I don’t miss much of my things (except for my own furniture and bamboo pots from IKEA) that I left at home with my parents and most of the time it even makes me upset to just think about all the clutter I have there and I need to deal with yet.
I can’t quite imagine living on a boat but I’d love to live somewhere in a really small but spacious and cozy apartment or house and I love how minimalism lets you do just that without having to worry about space for storage and where to put all your crap – not to mention moving itself. Just last week I was helping my friend to move and it was a nightmare. I can’t believe how much stuff some people have and how they’re not even aware of having it! She would just grab ten huge IKEA bags full of clothes, papers, makeup stuff, tangled cables and half broken pieces of whatever and she didn’t even know what was there and if she needs it with her. She’d go:”Oh there’s so many things here, I don’t even have patience to go through it but I should, shouldn’t I… I’ll do that later”. And I was like OMG, if you’re moving, isn’t it kinda more logical to declutter and go through the shit before it so you don’t have to move a lot of crap?
I know preaching about minimalism to everybody wouldn’t probably do a lot of good. Some people do live in a different world and I wouldn’t even know where to start, since they don’t see it themselves and don’t have any effort to change it. But sometimes I wish I could just show everybody how I live and change them just like that, make them think about their stuff and make them want do declutter the house right away! :D
More years ago than I care to count I lived on a small sailboat, similar to what I want to build, for a few months. It was great and I know that I can make it work again. Also from experience I’ve learned that it is pretty much pointless to preach. Those who want to hear sermons are usually in church and not talking to me! Thanks for reading.
Fantastic blog, Jim.
Your blog is a very interesting read. Congratulations on your endeavor.
I am filling up another bag for Goodwill. Another couple of shirts I haven’t worn are going to go after I see if my son wants them. I am also going through my jewelry because I don’t wear jewelry except earrings and the occasional bracelet. I have some big pins I don’t think I’ve worn in 3 years. Sorting through my things and giving things away gives me pleasure.
I just found 6 magazines to give away. I get them for free and look through them for craft ideas. There is still more to get rid of. When the weather cools off, I have planters full of dirt to take outside and dump. There is a lot of room here and there will be more when my son moves the rest of his things out.
As the weather gets warmer, I have been giving more and more plants away to neighbors, visitors, and various friends. I need to pass on maybe 20 more plants. Then a few need to be repotted. I just gave away a bag of food to a food drive and a pile of books and magazines to the library.