Discussion minimalism

[willitpass]

i have been entertaining the idea of minimalism for a while for sustainability reasons, financial reasons, and just because i think it will help my mental health. i was a very very bad shopaholic in 2020, like burn through a paycheck the day i got it and then have other people buy me even more things kind of shopaholic. ever since i came back from my residential, i've been doing MUCH better with my spending, my biggest issue now is buying food and coffee a lot. however, i still have a lot of things. some are left over from my excess spending days, some are just things everyone ends up accumulating.

last night something finally clicked and i basically tore my room apart within a few hours. i got rid of most of my clothes because i had so so many and i never wear most of them. i still have a little more than i need but it's not excessive by any means. i cleared out almost all of my books on my bookshelf because if i'm being honest with myself, i don't read anymore and if i ever do again, that's what the library is for. i went through all of my desk drawers and cleaned out all of the shit that i didn't know i had and definitely don't need. i've turned my room upside down. currently it's all sitting on my floor in bags or just laying around which is pretty overwhelming, but i'm excited for when i get it all out of my house and to the thrift store. it will be very relieving to not have the weight of all of those things around me. by no means am i going completely minimalist but i feel much more confident in my amount of items and they seem much more manageable now

 

[motel rooms]

I'm cheap, so yeah.

 

[timf]

Sometimes an abrupt change does not provide a lasting relief. For example, if the excessive shopping was keeping anxieties at bay, a cleaning house can be a substitute control mechanism. However, once the cleaning and reducing are done, the anxieties might return.

If this happens, it might be worth exploring what activities can be taken to provide a sense of control and reduce anxiety.

 

[willitpass]

Sometimes an abrupt change does not provide a lasting relief. For example, if the excessive shopping was keeping anxieties at bay, a cleaning house can be a substitute control mechanism. However, once the cleaning and reducing are done, the anxieties might return.

If this happens, it might be worth exploring what activities can be taken to provide a sense of control and reduce anxiety.

I no longer have excessive spending, and haven't for about a year now. It makes me feel very wonderful when I don't buy unnecessary things, and I have been wanting to declutter for awhile just haven't had the motivation to actually physically do it. It is an abrupt change in the sense that I am decluttering all at once but it is something I have been wanting to do for awhile

 

[StarryStarry]

I'm on the same path as you are. I'm becoming a minimalist also. But I'm doing it because I have to. I don't see anything wrong with having too much food or coffee in your house. With the way the world is today you never know when food will becoming a luxury. Make sure you have lots of canned goods. I think it's great that you're donating your things to a thrift storef. You would be amazed at how many people have nothing (I'm talking in the U.S.), the government is useless and they rely on the generous donations of people like you. I'm donating a bunch of books too. I LOVE the library. Just wanted to give you a pat on the back. Great job.

 

[TooConscious]

I do think, definitely for myself a tidy, organized environment helps my mental health substantially, trouble is, when yu have alot of stuff, gimic stuff people clutter you with at Christmas to pretend they care, you can put your hand on a fluffy pink keyring but can't find a fucking pencil.

 

[Mixo]

I totally subscribe to the idea of minimalism. I spend very little money on clothing and focus on health products and better quality food. That and of course, bills. If I was more physically healthy, I think I would have more seriously entertained living in an RV full time.

Congrats on culling the objects around you you don't need anymore. That is more than most people can do. I did that when I had too much stuff and used the Marie Kondo method. It was fun.

 

[Snake of Eden]

I think minimalism is really healthy and the default setting after novelty of aquiring things gets old. What ever you use and you do need while meeting the societal standards so not to appear any less acceptable than average then you should live a decluttered full life. All nicknacks and decorative stuff are unnecessary and decadent imo. Stuff that impress you as a kid and teenager

 

[uienringptr]

Good for you! It's okay if you don't end up sticking with it too, life is all about trial and error. Other people are going to benefit from the things you've donated as well! I wish I had the willpower to try minimalism. My mother was always a hoarder growing up and a weird part of me thinks that living with a normal amount of stuff makes me like her. Its suffocating honestly. You've inspired me to do a little bit of cleaning I think. I hope all goes well for you.

 

[lobster salad]

I am also minimalising my space, I give and sell a lot of my things away. I feel so much less stressed from doing so, and I feel better that people who like what I cannot appreciate anymore are getting what they want, it makes me feel worthwhile. Also I love this because if I successfully ctb soon, there's a lot less clutter for my family to sift through which is better. Less work for them. And if they choose to keep some of my things for them it is undoubted they'll remember me. Having less things reduces that on them. It's a win win :)
ctb or recovery

 

[ThriveOrDie]

Clutter is a big trigger for my depression. IDK how that works but I lived with a hoarder and felt a big energy shift when she moved out.

I lived with my hoarder mom for the last year. She was talking about getting a bigger house for her stuff . There was no space for me. She had 3 bedrooms and wall to wall crap...and she just keeps buying more. She would buy a new suitcase every time she went on a trip which is regularly. I got the eff out of her house a few weeks ago. I hope all her stuff is making her happy. I dread going through her stuff when she dies.