Trading Things For Memories
Minimalism (much like Buddhism) preaches that a happier and more meaningful life life can be found through expunging excess material belonging from ones existence. I was by no means a minimalist 10 years ago. I looked forward to having a home filled with exotic paintings and a library filled to the brim with books. Alas I have neither of those things, and I am the happier for it.
Getting Rid of Monthly Payments
My evolution into minimalism was somewhat in reverse of the process minimalism preaches, happiness following debulking of goods. Once I found a more meaningful and happy life through extensive traveling, expunging my excess material belongings came along as course. The first things I jettisoned from my life were services like cable television. My thinking went something like this:
Cable TV costs $50 a month. If I don't pay for Cable TV I can save ($50 a month x 12 months) $600 a year, which is equivalent to the cost of one cruise. I can still watch TV for free with a $6 antenna (in HD) or on my computer through Hulu anytime I like. I would much rather go on a cruise each year than veg out in front of the TV every night. So, I cut the cord with cable TV. My netflix account went next once I discovered I could check out DVDs from the library down the street for free.
I keep seeing ads on TV that bellow "The average car payment in America is $400 a month". I cannot imagine having such a hefty car payment hanging over my head every month. Without a car payment like that, a person could save $4,800 a year. Undoubtedly insurance for such a car would be higher. The owner would want it replaced if totaled in an accident. Before writing this post I checked the cost of my car on kelly blue book. It is worth $2500-$3000. If it was totaled I can purchase a replacement outright, still saving $1800 in one year versus buying a new car. Not only am I saving money for traveling, I am not stressed out about making a monthly car payment or my expensive car getting a scratch.
Getting Rid of Clutter
Next went the purchasing physical items. I stopped buying books in exchange for checking them out from the library. Why did I need a library of books I would only read once when I could save my money for an airplane ticket? In fact if I sold all of my books accumulated so far, I would have more money to spend on travel and I could spend less time dusting. It was a win win.
The end result now is that I live in a small condo without any pets or even a potted plant. I spend about a half to a third of each year traveling away from home, and don't worry about weeds over taking the lawn or if someone is remembering to check in on the cat. When I am at home I can focus on spending time with my family and friends instead of clearing the accumulated dust on a bunch of book shelves. I can clean the condo, including washing the floors, in about and hour before getting on with my life.
Learning The Difference Between Need and Want
Traveling contributed to my minimalist transformation in other ways. When I first spent two months living out of a suit case, much I had at home just seemed excessive. I just learned what I needed to be comfortable and what I wanted due to my covetous nature. The more time I spent away from my things at home, the less I wanted what I already had. The last time I moved (across country) I took the opportunity to get rid of many materials items I just didn't want anymore. I had a garage sale, gave some things to friends who wanted them, and then made about 5 trips to Goodwill. When I settled in my new home, I maybe replaced about 10% of what I had given away, and only practical items like dishes. I've never been happier and less stressed out.
I didn't plan on becoming a minimalist, but I am happy traveling made me into one.
No comments:
Post a Comment