my struggle with minimalism

One of my favorite blogs to read is The Minimalists. Josh and Ryan are truly visionaries and their posts are simple, straightforward…dare I say “minimal”? One of their most recent posts really struck a cord with me. A post titled “My Minimalist Work Space”. Truth be told, this  post could have had no words, just the single photo of the Minimalist Work Space and I would have been enraptured, and it has inspired me to jump into this idea of Minimalism. But, as much as I admire their passion and as much VALUE that I see in this way of living….I just can’t seem to get this monkey off my back.

Would you like to know what my monkey’s name is? I thought you might. His name is “STUFF”. He is not cute, or cuddly, or house broken. He leaves a trail wherever he goes and never, ever cleans up after himself. I mean seriously, “stuff” is everywhere! And it’s driving me and my family nuts. I think George Carlin said it best when he commented “you ever notice how your stuff is stuff but other people’s stuff is shit?” Yeah, well…my “stuff” is shit too. It’s just taken me a really long time to realize it. I’ve got “stuff” that hasn’t even seen the light of day in more years than I care to admit to. I’ve got “stuff” I don’t even know I got, but one day I’ll find it and I guarantee that I will find a way to justify keeping it.

But no more. It’s time to roll up the sleeves and really do something about “stuff”. “Stuff” has to go. He ain’t gotta go home, but he can’t stay here. Know what I’m sayin’? I know you do, you’re so understanding, such a good listener. Would you like to take some “stuff”? I promise, it’s “stuff” not shit.

Right about now you’re wondering if I forgot to take my meds. Could  be possible. But no. The truth is I’m embarking on a journey. A journey of Minimalism (yes, it DOES have to be written with a capital M). Over the next few weeks I will raid my attic and get rid of “stuff”. And I will try to take pictures of the “stuff” that is getting kicked to the curb, quite literally. I think we’ll all be amazed at just how large a shit pile of “stuff” I will end up with.

But I’m excited! I’ve come to hate “stuff”. I don’t want it, I don’t need it, it’s never been terribly useful and so, it’s gotta go.