The Less is More Project: Week 23 - Inspiration everywhere!

JSM, 2015

Inspiration. It comes in all shapes and sizes. Oftentimes, when I write, the words that appear on the - virtual - page seem to have been whispered in my ear by a mysterious "voice" rather than created by my own brain. The word inspiration itself refers to "divine guidance". On the etymology of "inspire": 

Middle English enspire, from Old French inspirer, from Latin inspirare ‘breathe or blow into,’ from in- ‘into’ + spirare ‘breathe.’ The word was originally used of a divine or supernatural being, in the sense ‘impart a truth or idea to someone.’ (Source: Google)

Divine/supernatural or not, I feel like many writers (or artists, or composers) have experienced this peculiar phenomenon of receiving inspiration "from above".

It might not be quite as glamorous, but this week, I received inspiration for the blog in many, unrelated ways. I did not have to look very far for ideas - they just kept popping in front of me! See for yourself:

I watched a travel documentary. The first part was about Turkey. It was an organized trip for a group of North Americans. Despite all the interesting visits (nature and culture oriented), I quickly noticed how half of the planned activities had to do with shopping. What is it about traveling that entices people to try and find as much stuff as possible to bring back home? I have traveled a lot (read: over 20 different countries), yet I have brought back pretty much... nothing. Wait. Actually, I have brought back a lot. A lot of wonderful memories, that is.

The second part of the documentary was about Israel. The approach was completely different. The reporter went off the beaten track and visited a remote kibbutz. A very small and simple one, too. There were no luxuries to be found there, for sure. Basic lodging, some gardening, some goats, a slow-paced life. I loved how each interviewee seemed so calm and peaceful. But what I loved even more was how one of them said "We don't have much, but we have enough, and we have each other".

This weekend I participated in a Spartan Race. Not only was it demanding in itself (8 km of steep uphills and downhills + 20 obstacles), the weather made everything even harder: it was cold, it was raining, and the ground was just mud puddles of various depths. After a final, giant leap over fire (literally), I humbly received my medal (for finishing - let's not get too excited here) and went home for THE best hot shower in my entire life, followed by THE best snack in my entire life. Truly, the wonders of being warm, dry and fed are understated.

A friend gave me a magazine she had finished reading. I opened it at a random page. If showed the picture of a pair of high heels, with the following legend: "Instant lift. I reward myself with retail therapy - I'm a shoe fanatic. Price: $850." (I'll abstain from commenting on this one.)

Finally, some remarks I heard from the mouths of my friends this week. The first, talking about an acquaintance, exclaimed: "She ONLY owns ONE TV!" The other, upon opening my linen closet, exclaimed: "OMG, how many hand towels do you own?!?" (In my defense, I have never bought one - they all came from well-meaning grand-mothers. I have given some away, but maybe I can still work on said linen closet. Pretty sure it contains more than 100 items. As for the TV, I have "only" one, and barely ever watch it.)

WEEK 23 IN REVIEW

Temptations

This week, the "Temptations" rubric is officially eliminated from the blog.

Donations (good riddance)

Still more clothes. I'm surprised at the amount of clothes I can get rid of without experiencing any undesirable effects... (Wait. That sentence could be interpreted in all kinds of ways!!! LOL)


Observations and cogitations

Almost halfway through the challenge and I can't say there's even one thing I regret donating or not acquiring. Hmm...



Your turn to share about your struggles and victories of the week! What did you resist? Did you donate or get rid of anything? Did you face any challenge? Please comment below! And...

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The Less is More Project: Week 22 - The 100 challenge

takomabibelot, Flickr

Five months and going strong! In fact, the Less is More Project is going so well that I have decided to take on a new challenge.

There is a "number trend" in the minimalist world. Just Google "minimalist number of possessions" and you will get an idea. The hardcore ones out there are limiting what they own to what appears to be extremely low numbers, so low that the possessions can easily be inventoried. See for yourself:

The Minimalists: 288 things

Be More With Less: 100 things

Zen Habits: 100 things (or less)

Minimal Student: 100 things (or less)

Mnmlist: 50 things

Wake Up Cloud: 43 things

Andrewhy: 39 things

Man vs Debt: Possessions in pictures

If those numbers sound extremely low to you, you are not alone: I feel the same way, as I'm sure many others do, too. To be honest, it probably isn't possible to own 100 things or less if you have a house or apartment comprising more than one room and containing some furniture, especially if you don't live alone. Some of the above-mentioned bloggers are self-proclaimed "vagabonds" who live on the road or alone in a single, small room, which I completely respect and even admire (or envy?) - but I do realize this is not everyone's ideal lifestyle.

That being said, I think we can find inspiration in those radical lifestyles and apply "adapted minimalism" to our more conventional existences. When pondering the 100 things challenge, it occurred to me that if owning 100 things seems unattainable for my family right now, I could still achieve interesting goals if I broke my possessions down into categories. Why don't you try it too?

Exercise #1: Walk into a room and make sure there are no more than 100 things in sight (including furniture and decorations on the walls, but excluding the things that would stay if you moved, such as sinks). Admittedly, that will be harder to achieve in a home office full of books and supplies. For other rooms, such as a small bathroom, or even a living room, dining room or bedroom, it can be achieved easily. Even my kitchen, when the dishes are done, passes the test. Not seeing anymore than 100 things means you are on your way to a decluttered space! And it feels so refreshing.

Exercise #2: Open a drawer, dresser, cupboard or closet and make sure it does not contain more than 100 things. If that proves too easy, regroup to include more drawers or cupboards.

Exercise #3: Establish categories and make sure you don't own more than 100 things in each category. Depending on your lifestyle and the things you tend to hold on to, some categories might be easier than others. Examples:

• 100 items of clothing
• 100 items of kitchenware
• 100 items of furniture and lighting
• 100 items of decoration (including area rugs, frames, plants, etc.)
• 100 items of linen
• 100 items for hobbies and sports
• 100 books
• 100 tools and devices
• 100 "electrics and electronics" (including all appliances)
• etc.

If that still is too hard for some categories, break it down into smaller categories!

• 100 items of "regular", daytime clothing
• 100 items of "other" clothing such as outerwear, underwear, sleepwear, sports clothes
• 100 accessories such as shoes, bags, belts, hats, scarves
• Or 100 items for each of the 4 seasons

Try it and let us know how it goes! I will do the same.

WEEK 22 IN REVIEW

Temptations

It's not a temptation per se, but I am struggling with a dilemma: what to do with presents when I am on the receiving end? With an upcoming birthday, I have already received two early presents. One is the new camera I have been dreaming of for months, if not years. There is no question I am keeping it. Plus, I kind of needed it, since my previous one died on me a few weeks ago. Photography is something I really enjoy and so, even if a camera is not a fundamental need, it will certainly be used and enjoyed fully. 

However, I have also received money. Not to mention the gift cards I got for Christmas that are still waiting in my wallet. Is it acceptable to use money and gift cards this year, or should I wait until 2016? Since the main point of this challenge is not necessarily to save money, but mostly to get used to not consuming? For now, my logic has been the following: hold on to the gift cards and money, and use them when you need something. Which hasn't happened yet.


Donations (good riddance)

I subjected my wardrobe to last week's questions: 

• do you use it on a regular basis?
• does it spark joy? (or, that specific case, does it make you feel beautiful/handsome/hot?)

And I can confirm that such questions prove very useful when in doubt about an item. I am donating more clothes again this week. I cannot wait for the day when I don't have to stand for long minutes in my closet, unable to decide what to wear! As long as it still happens, I will interpret it as a sign I own too many clothes.


Observations and cogitations

I as write this post, I hear D "sermon" young A about the best way to use her money, explaining to her how it's best to buy things that you need and/or have been wanting for a while as opposed to rushing to use your money on the first thing that catches your eye...


Your turn to share about your struggles and victories of the week! What did you resist? Did you donate or get rid of anything? Did you face any challenge? Please comment below! And...

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The Less is More Project: Week 21 - Two questions, take two

Kevin Dooley, Flickr

Sitting on a long chair in the backyard with a book. Wearing shorts and t-shirt, yet not feeling cold despite the shade. Finally. I had forgotten how good this feels. 

Life can now happen both indoors and outdoors, without the need to change clothes. I have been waiting for this all winter. And in most parts of Canada, winter (i.e. freezing temperatures and the potential for snow) lasts from October to April.

I am alive again. Mother nature is alive too, as the birds and the budding leaves and our freshly planted garden all remind me. The bugs are also back, but I couldn't care less; I am happy.

It occurs to me that such weather, if it lasted year long, would make it so much easier to be a minimalist. It's perfectly acceptable to live in cramped quarters with few possessions when the outdoors can act as living space. Or if you can at least open the windows! I could thrive in a tiny house in warm weather - in the summer my favorite place to sleep is a tent, and my favorite place to eat is at a picnic table or even right on the grass or sand. But in the winter? Not quite as appealing.

How do you reconcile harsh weather with a minimalist lifestyle?

Two questions, answered

What would you do if money were no object, and if you had all the money and time in the world? Here are the answers I gathered, both on this blog and from conversations with friends:

• do a job that's actually pleasant
• work less
• start a meaningful business
• go back to school
• spend time with loved ones
• engage in favorite hobbies (reading, etc.)
• do nothing at all
• help others (less privileged people)
• keep the house under control
• travel
• pursue creative goals (writing, painting, playing an instrument, etc.)
• pursue athletic goals (training for a race, etc.)
• buy something simple that will improve quality of life (as opposed to buying something luxurious for the sake of buying or for status boasting)

Notice that no one mentioned acquiring big, expensive things. Perhaps it's a sign that many of us are already minimalists at heart, and that stuff is not what we think of when the sky actually becomes the limit.

Also, notice how no one mentioned completely overhauling their life, like divorcing, moving to another country, or the like. Perhaps it's a sign that most of us are not miserable with our life; we might have some areas of "under-fulfillment", but a few small tweaks might do the job.

Let's go back to the list above, and to your specific answers. Is there anything you can do, in this life, to get closer to the accomplishment of those "dream goals"? Are they entirely unattainable, or can you slowly start making your way toward them? Of course, it will require thinking outside the box, getting out of your comfort zone, and perhaps some sacrifice... but it might be worth it! 

In what ways are you making room in your life for those "dream goals"?

Two new questions for this week

Decluttering is a daunting task. Simple tricks can make it more manageable. For example, looking for one object to ditch in each room (what we did last week), or tackling just one drawer at a time. To make it easier to part with your stuff from an emotional standpoint, here are two questions you should ask yourself when unsure whether to keep an object or not:

1. do you use it on a regular basis?
2. does it spark joy?

An object you don't use on a regular basis can probably go. (With the exception of seasonal items: if you only use your camping gear in the summer, and your fondue set in the winter, you can still keep them, provided they are used at least a couple times a year.)

An object that does not spark joy can probably go too. There is no reason to keep something that does not provide you with a significant positive feeling. It will only gather dust, or fill storage space. Say goodbye!

Look through your things and tell us what objects you got rid of based on those two questions.

WEEK 21 IN REVIEW

Temptations

No temptation this week either. However, vacation time is approaching fast, and we will be traveling, both to big cities and small, cute, historic places. Remaining focused will certainly be a challenge. Better start thinking about it now in order to come up with strategies!


Donations (good riddance)

I had a semi-formal outing, which hadn't happened since the beginning of this challenge. It took me quite a while to decide what to wear. It forced me to reassess the clothes I possess that are more "chic". I got rid of a few pieces. 

We also got rid of yet another bag of toys. The kids are moving into pre-teen years and it shows.

I tackled the bar this week. I realized we very rarely drink our strong alcohols, even when we have company: most people seem to stick to wine and beer. The unopened bottles have thus moved to my "regifting shelf", the one I browse whenever I need a hostess or teacher gift. The opened bottles have moved to a more convenient location, so that I will remember to use them (summer cocktails, anyone?) Once they are empty I will probably not replace those bottles.


Observations and cogitations

It's confirmed: I hate gardening with a passion. It's weird since I usually enjoy the outdoors very much, appreciate a pretty yard, and love harvesting from our veggie patch and berry bushes. But how I despise doing the work! 




Your turn to share about your struggles and victories of the week! What did you resist? Did you donate or get rid of anything? Did you face any challenge? Please comment below! And...

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