overflow » Minimalism

What’s on your desk?

ames — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:11:46 +0000

The layers of complexity

ames — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:36:31 +0000

When you pack up your life and head off travelling with a backpack and some money in the bank you realise how complex your life has become. This is also realised when settling back in, or moving countries as I’ve done recently. Life isn’t just about doing things you enjoy, working and whatever else: it comes with other layers. An example is owning a car. You have that car, its maintenance, insurance, petrol, parking and many other aspects that add time to your day or reduce your bank balance. It doesn’t simplify it: it makes daily life more complex.

Recently we found a small flat in Grey Lynn just 3-kilometres from the centre of the city. We intentionally looked for a flat that was close to the city and that had other benefits. The Buddhist centre is close by to go to Sangha night with meditation and wise talks. There is everything we need from an organic whole foods store to a farmers market on Saturdays. I can cycle to work, or catch a bus if I need to in the winters rain. Our flat is small but simple, with no TV, and the most complicated thing been an internet connection and my coffee machine. The location was completely intentional. If we lived further out of the city we would need to drive or spend a horrendous amount of time on public transport. Both options reduce my time to enjoy each day. Just for a bigger or cheaper house? Everything we do, or commit to isn’t just that one thing. It has many other associated layers that add complexity to our lives.

Keeping life simple and uncomplicated, and somewhat minimal is my mission so I have more time and more resources to do the things I really love to do. What can you simplify?

Downsizing doing

ames — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:29:06 +0000

Recently I realized that I was doing too much. I am somewhat of a driven person so I can get caught up in doing, and have no time or breath to just be. It seemed so obvious once I saw it, as so many things are so once this awareness came, it was time to downsize. Moving countries, writing a book, working full time, traveling, coaching athletes, and running a business is too much for two people, let alone one. It was time to prioritize my passions and cut lose and minimize: the minimalist approach to ‘doing.’

The question I asked myself was ‘what is most important?’ You can define importance in many ways and so looked at responsibility, passion and also what took most of my time in relation to these. Some things we may have responsibility for, but are not passionate about, yet they engulf our time.

What takes most of your time? Is it something you are passionate about? What are you caught up doing out of habit? It is so incredibly easy to get caught up in doing something out of habit and it serves no other purpose that keeping the habit going. We are creatures of repetition, too much so.

Why Minimalism?

ames — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:31:34 +0000

Over the years I’ve gradually gone from being a ‘collector’ to a minimalist. Minimalism means something different to different people. To me it means less is more. It is not about restriction, or restricting the amount of stuff that I have, but it is about having less to have more freedom, and more experiences. As an example, last year I moved countries with one backpack and a bicycle.

My attachment to collecting stuff has gradually changed over time with prioritising (I either buy these things or I can go to Europe and go travelling), and through seeing through my desires for things, and re-checking them. When I am wanting to click buy now I ask myself, “will I really use this? Or is it a shelf sitter? Will it just take up space, or if I was to move countries tomorrow would I take it with me?” These questions have really helped curb unwanted purchases, opening up time, space, energy and financial resources to have other experiences, which to me, are more important. De-cluttering is mentally freeing, physically freeing, and enjoyable. I know happiness doesn’t come from financial purchases, so purchases are are purely functional and enjoyable, as opposed to purchasing for the habit of purchasing, or wanting a particular item to fill a void. This doesn’t mean I don’t get enjoyment out of my swanky cameras or smart phone, but instead I know when I have enough of these things for function and enjoyment as opposed to running on the treadmill wanting.

Once I started on this journey I noticed it builds over time and spreads into other parts of your life. For example I am perfectly happy in a one-bedroom flat. I could have a larger flat or house, but I don’t want one, as I know this space is enough for me. It isn’t about going without. It is enough, and that is minimalism to me: knowing when you have enough and are happy with that.

Whitworth gallery chair obsession

ames — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:26:50 +0000

BB

ames — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:36:21 +0000

I’ve had a few phone cameras in my time and have generally found that Sony Ecrisson’s make the best as they also have cybershot technology in making their digital cameras. In December I finally got a smart phone, a blackberry which has a 2MP camera. It’s not too bad in light conditions, but predictably poor in anything remotely cloudy or dark. 90% of the time a camera of some sorts is in my bag, along with the rest of the kitchen sink, nonetheless it is a good back up.

I’ve been learning a lot about minimalism. I’ve always liked it, but am slowing, and gradually taking it to another level. Leo Babuata recently started a great new blog called mnmilst which has some great ideas. The thing I like about minimalism is the lack of clutter, how environmentally friendly it is reducing consumption, and waste, and it simplifies life to enjoy the things you really like. Back to my original point – it’s time to apply minimalism to by day bag!