Beauty

[rnmom]

I've done a little work on my master bedroom. I went thru some of the drawers and found a few things to toss, not a lot, but they're reorganized and neater now.

I also went thru some of my clothes and found a few to take to consignment or donate, only about 8 pieces so far. I still have a ways to go, and I have to ask my husband if he wants to go thru his stuff at all, but it's a start. It should be done by the end of the month for sure.

[aprilskies]

Simpler life is the way I am headed, at least, regarding stuff. I have donated/given away/tossed I would say at least 50% of what I have. While I still have too much, my closets, drawers and storage areas are at least not stuffed to the gills. My neurotic thought process regarding buying whatever might be my latest focus is changing. In January, I was considering buying a spin bike because after all a spin bike would be the one piece of exercise equipment that might actually get me to exercise. So I researched a few of them for days and finally decided to not buy for now. Too expensive for something I may not use. I may buy one in the future if I see myself still wanting one later on in the year but for now off of my radar. Before I would of been so hyper focused and just neurotic that I would of had one already and I would of rationalized the purchase everyday til Sunday. So, I can't even tell you what a win that is or maybe I don't have to explain with this group. Lol. It feels great. I still can't tell you the urge to buy is gone because as soon as January was over I was all over the place until I caught myself but I like the change that I feel is happening. I do need to focus on my place though and pretty it up. After taking down everything I don't like or tired of it's looking a little empty so once the weather eases up, that will be my new focus. I am excited for a new look.

I am declaring a no buy in February for mu. The only thing I need is concealer so I will buy that but that is it. I have to say it's been five months since I have purchased any mu, not even an eyeliner, but I am still tempted to buy. ....but at least I am not running to the submit button.

Have a great day everyone.

[just bee]

On 2/4/2014 lunamarz_31 said:

I just read an inspirational story on Yahoo:

A man quit his 6-figure job, gave away most of his possessions, and simplified his life. As a result, he ended up being a happier person.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-millennial-quit-6-figure-205835000.html

Proof that the best things in life aren't things. I admire that thought...I am hoping to apply more of that principle into different areas my own life.

When I think about it, stuff doesn't bring us joy and happiness. It's the people (or pets) we surround ourselves with, getting new experience in life, just living life. No longer will I be tied down to material possessions...they are just "stuff".

ETA: I wonder if he had been secretly following ComPact all these years...his mantra resonates with ComPact

His website (http://www.theminimalists.com/) is mentioned often on the forum.

"Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution.

There are many flavors of minimalism: a 20-year-old single guy’s minimalist lifestyle looks different from a 45-year-old mother’s minimalist life. Even though everyone embraces minimalism differently, each path leads to the same place: a life with more time, more money, and more freedom to live a more meaningful life.

Getting started is as simple as asking yourself one question: How might your life be better if you owned fewer material possessions?"

[just bee]

"Getting started is as simple as asking yourself one question: How might your life be better if you owned fewer material possessions?"

To me, fewer possessions means more options. I have a big house filled with things I don't use or even look at. I'm in prison. I can't just pick up and go. I'm limited. Burdened.

I've attached a feeling, an emotion, a memory to every item I own. Items have become appendages and losing an item is like an amputation.

But having too many appendages makes it impossible to move, so I'm stuck.

What's your answer to this question?

[RetRN]

It sounds like you are basing your self-worth on things. I strongly disagree with that philosophy. No one else wants all your stuff, so get rid of it. You will be opening a whole new chapter in your life.

[just bee]

On 2/5/2014 RetRN said:

It sounds like you are basing your self-worth on things. I strongly disagree with that philosophy. No one else wants all your stuff, so get rid of it. You will be opening a whole new chapter in your life.

There may have been a period: Working in corporate, living in suburbia, entertaining, keeping up with the Joneses.

But none of that currently applies to us. Neither of us is corporate now and no one really knows what we have. Do we rent an apartment or own our own home? No one knows what I drive; I wear hospital regulated scrubs to work and no jewelry; I don't flaunt or discuss my personal business.

Well, here I discuss it...

[willdob3]

Morning ComPactors!

re: THINGS -

Things don't make me happy. Some things - the right things - make my life easier. Having the right number of things gives me added variety & options.

Having too many things creations clutter & overwhelms me when it comes to choosing what to use or wear. Having too many things makes my life harder & more stressful. My life is plenty stressful without my adding to it with things.

[willdob3]

I have had an amazing realization!

All last year I worked hard to use up my shower gels. I decided that, once the extras were gone I would like to keep two shower gels all the time, one in an energizing scent, the other in a relaxing scent. That would give me choices depending on my mood & time of day.

Looking back at last year, I used up my shower gels one at a time. I did not feel the need to be using different scents. I even used up my unscented one without reaching for a scented one even one time. I no longer think I need two bottles/scents to choose from. I am thinking about not even having one unopened one waiting. I might just buy one shower gel & buy another only when it is almost gone.

Of course, this is good in theory, so we'll see how it works in practice. I am about a month away from opening my last shower gel. But I have gotten good at avoiding the temptations so I am confident I can continue if I really want to. We'll see if I want to. lol...

[aprilskies]

On 2/5/2014 just bee said:

On 2/5/2014 RetRN said:

It sounds like you are basing your self-worth on things. I strongly disagree with that philosophy. No one else wants all your stuff, so get rid of it. You will be opening a whole new chapter in your life.

There may have been a period: Working in corporate, living in suburbia, entertaining, keeping up with the Joneses.

But none of that currently applies to us. Neither of us is corporate now and no one really knows what we have. Do we rent an apartment or own our own home? No one knows what I drive; I wear hospital regulated scrubs to work and no jewelry; I don't flaunt or discuss my personal business.

Well, here I discuss it...

I think part of it is letting go of what was or wasn't. Sometimes we are just not ready to let go but letting go is the first step towards being "free" and creating a different life. I know I have always let my stuff weigh me down. I could never do anything and feel like I should be home cleaning or organizing or something. I have said time and time again to family or friends that I feel I can't move forward because of it all. I am the type of person that needs to be organized to think yet that is definitely not how I kept my surroundings. I had a ton of stuff coming and bags to empty and put things away. I am finding the more and more I clear out the happier I am and the more I want to clear. However, it now opens a brand new door - what do I do with myself. I no longer have things weighing me down like before, I am no longer spending hours researching things to buy and no longer ordering up a storm, etc. etc. sometimes, it's like uh oh, now I need to create something with that time and I am slowly trying to do that. I haven't gotten in gear yet but will.

Letting go is tough. It's sad, painful and a little depressing but when you are ready, it really does feel good. Still tough but good. For me, I am so ready for something new and just don't want it weighing me down anymore. I am just sorry it took me this long to realize it. So glad I was not a hoarder, I couldn't even imagine having to deal with that. But I can certainly see how that can easily happen.

[just bee]

On 2/5/2014 willdob3 said:

Morning ComPactors!

re: THINGS -

Things don't make me happy. Some things - the right things - make my life easier. Having the right number of things gives me added variety & options.

Having too many things creations clutter & overwhelms me when it comes to choosing what to use or wear. Having too many things makes my life harder & more stressful. My life is plenty stressful without my adding to it with things.

Well said. I believe you speak for many of us here. Better-half could live in one room as long as there was a computer, a place to sit, a place to sleep, and access to food and something that stores/cooks food. Oh, and a bathroom would probably be nice.

He detests decorations and knickknacks. (He has actually "come around" and has stopped complaining bitterly about the ancient wreath I place on the front door during the Christmas season.) As far as he's concerned, walls could be bare, without art. Curio cabinets? Never. He sees possessions as something one has to dust. Hates any form of decor in the kitchen because it's just a dirt/grease catcher. Hates cabinets because they're just a place to store unnecessary objects. Hates flat surfaces like counters because they're just another place for unnecessary items. Doesn't understand why someone would use a kitchen towel that has a design on it. Will clean the floor with a kitchen towel because it's a towel. Why is a towel specific to any room or purpose?

I like bookshelves. He doesn't see the point of keeping a book after it's been read. Cookbooks? Why, when there are recipes online? TV? Why? If you want to watch something you can find it on the computer. Why have DVDs? Once he watches a film he never wants to see it again.

He would be happy in a loft that is just one room without cabinets, shelves, closets. Just one space -- a box -- with one desk and something to sleep on. In fact, he could probably just sleep on the floor.

Amazingly, we have been together 23 years.