The First Step

My journey to live a more deliberate, dedicated, and meaningful life.

[dytmin]

day 9

some things I've gained since "going minimalist":

- extra time to work out in the morning - time to cook meals - a newfound appreciation for the public library - the ability to hold a conversation with a stranger, rather than sticking my nose in my phone - new friends - new opportunities, and possibly new skills - new memories - peace in silence and space

some things I've lost since "going minimalist":

- weight - junk - social anxiety/fear of the new (though not entirely) - debt

people tend to think about things in terms of what they've lost rather than what they've gained. I try hard to make sure that my gains are more than my losses, and so far, I think I'm doing quite well. Minimalism has helped me to find many things that were lost for a long time.

[dytmin]

day 7

Creation is the subject that I have been mulling around in my brain today.

Over the past few weeks that minimalism has been impacting my life, I have had a strong desire to create. This desire has never left me since I graduated with my degree in art, but with the entrance of a career, getting married, focusing on my family, and other distractions I found myself having less and less time to create. With the extra time that I have since ridding myself of non-productive activities, I begin to find more time to create.

Two weekends ago, I visited Igloo Letterpress (link here http://iglooletterpress.com/) in Worthington, Ohio and was able to spend time creating an awesome hand set poster, and printing it myself on a traditional proof press. Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to screen print a T-shirt for the first time on a friend's screen printing set up.

This desire to create counters my desire to purge: if I continue to fulfill my need to create, is this antithetic to the idea that I should not keep?

I have mulled over this particular question all day today. I have come to this conclusion: if I am purposefully and dedicatedly making things that I believe in, and will not clutter or be useless in my home, then I am still operating within the idea that I am not bringing junk possessions.

For instance, the shirt I made last night will replace a more ragged one in my drawer. The quote I printed on my hand-set poster reads "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." This particular poster rests in a frame on my desk at work, to remind me of the simplicity of intent in my life.

This particular entry in the ever growing journal of my minimalist life is to show that minimalism doesn't discourage creation: it challenges that your creation should be purposeful, deliberate, useful, and sincere. This can produce more thoughtful and insightful production in your life and in the lives of the people that use/purchase/see your creation.

[dytmin]

day 6

Today I would like to talk a little bit about gifts and what they mean from one person to another.

From the beginning of November all the way until Christmas day, purchasing and consumerism is at a high in the United States. Parents are working overtime to buy their kids the latest toys, and during the 2013-2014 winter holidays, Americans spent just over $600 billion. 

But, is this money being spent wisely? Sure, seeing your child open a present that they had their eye on, saw on television, etc. is a wonderful feeling. However, when the novelty wears off, when they mature, or when they move onto a new hobby, the gift is left behind in the junk pile to be forgotten.

In a quick run of numbers, the United Nations estimates it would take only $30 billion per year to end world hunger. In one winter giving season alone, we could set world hunger at bay for 20 years.

My Christmas resolution this year is this: if I am not investing in something that someone truly needs (perhaps paying their utility bills for a few months, making a car payment, etc), then I will make a donation on their behalf to something greater. Or invest in an experience for them, like tickets to a movie, or the zoo, or a painting class. There are many other ways that you can enrich someone's life outside of giving them a temporary, fleeting object.

A very insightful article found here: http://zenhabits.net/bah/ written by the famous minimalist Leo Babauta goes into reasons against the purchase of items during Christmas.

This year, try and make a change in your life. Instead of purchasing lots of gifts that you can't afford and will go out of style and be left behind, purchase an experience for them. Or pay their utility bill for the winter. Or, better yet, give on their behalf to someone who really is in need, to give clean water, or food, or education. Give them a story to tell. Maybe your gift will make them see that gifts do not only come out of the local Wal-Mart: they come from the heart, to enrich a life.

[dytmin]

day 4

I was not able to write yesterday due to some health concerns, however I am going to try my best to ensure that I concentrate on writing at least one hour per day.

Today I'd like to talk about giving, because I've been doing a good amount of giving of my own time and energy and I think that it is one of the most important things we can do on this Earth.

At first, my journey into minimalism revolved solely around getting away from the cycle of consumerism. It was to minimize my own personal possessions so that I could cut down on the clutter in my life and focus on fulfilling my own dreams.

Now, further into this journey of changing my life, I've realized that minimalism is not only about reducing my footprint, it's also about using the extra time, money, and energy that I've gained by dumping "things" to help those around me.

It is truly incredible how much we have to give to one another when we realize that we are all a part of the same world, and we all have such a small amount of time in the world, we ought to make the best out of it for everyone and give as much as possible.

The gift of our time, energy, and sometimes our money is the biggest legacy and, if done wisely, our greatest impact on this earth. Each and every person has something to give to another person, whether you realize it or not.  

[dytmin]

day 2

Today, I pledge and explain my list of musts.

I must write every day. This means a solid, small essay that is thought out and published, not just my name on a piece of paper.

I must read every day. Whether it be a work of fiction or nonfiction, a book must be picked up every day.

I must choose a healthy lifestyle every day. Making healthy decisions, like drinking water and foregoing coffee, picking up an apple rather than a bowl of chips, choosing healthy carbs and fats sparingly.

I must connect substantially with people every day. This means making a true connection with someone and having an impact on their day. For example, today I gave an old friend an honest compliment and suggestion.

I must eat healthy foods at every meal. Holding myself accountable at every meal must become a habit.

I must exercise four times per week, for at least thirty minutes. This is something that I struggled with because I am overweight and working to become a healthier weight. Setting this small goal made it much easier.

I must finish my degree in the spring. I am set to graduate next summer if I finish the last semester in the spring. I must finish this to make a future for myself and my husband.

I must empower others every day. I have to make sure I'm reinforcing the strengths of others every day.

I must pay off my debts. I encourage you to develop a two year plan, as I have, or three year or six months or five year, whatever it takes to make sure that ALL debts are paid. (This includes school, car, credit cards, home, whatever. You can do it, I promise.)

I must work towards these goals every day. The ramp up period was tough, but there is no wiggle room towards success and freedom.

I must live in the moment, every day.

It is really an empowering feeling when you change all of the items on your "should" list to must. That word in and of itself is powerful and driving. Without it, the things on your should list can easily be overlooked. With the drive that must inspires, you can do the tough things in order to free up life and live the way you were designed.

[dytmin]

day 1

Four weeks ago, I purchased my first minimalist text.

I had picked up a copy of the text (found here http://www.theminimalists.com/lml/) and began to read it at my favorite coffee shop approximately six months ago. The first few chapters spoke to me, but I placed the book down and continued on my way, not giving the book another thought until four weeks ago. 

When I first made my way through this book, I had the feeling that what I had read struck a chord in my life. But then I read the text again, and again, and again. And every time I found something new that had been missing from my life. Or something that I had been spending far too many waking hours worrying about.

Then I realized that the solution is to get rid of all of the distraction, the stuff, and start devoting time and energy into things that are really important, so that I can be sure that my life is not lived in vain, and that I am spending my time doing something worthwhile to myself and to others.

This is the beginning of the journey for me to live a more meaningful, deliberate, and dedicated life.