Seeking Simplicity

Minimalism in Steps

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on February 21, 2010.

by: Leo Babauta

You can become a minimalist overnight, by not only changing your mindset but renouncing all possessions.

Of course, that’s not a realistic approach for most of us. We have families, jobs, lives, and unless we’re willing to give up those lives, our approach won’t be so drastic.

Slow change is best for most people.

And so I recommend you do it in steps, as I’ve done. Here’s what these steps might look like:

1. Stop buying unnecessary things. This step was important for me as I was trying to get out of a mountain of debt (achieved, btw). Only buy the necessities, and always ask yourself: is this truly necessary? Stop the bleeding first.

2. Get rid of the obvious things. Stuff that’s getting in your way, that you rarely ever use. You can often fill up a few boxes immediately, put them in your car, and donate them to a thrift shop or to friends and family the next day.

3. Get rid of more obvious things. Now that you’ve cleared up some of the clutter, you can take a look around and start seeing other things you rarely use. Box these up as well.

4. Clear the clutter on your floors. If your floors are barely visible because you have clothes and boxes and different items all over the place, start clearing your floors.

5. Clear other flat surfaces. Shelves, table tops, counter tops. They don’t have to be completely clear, but should only have a few essential objects.

6. Start going into closets and drawers. One place at a time, start clearing out clutter.

7. Cut back another third. At this point, you should have simplified drastically, but you can revisit what you still own and see things you don’t really use that often.

8. Start letting go, emotionally. For emotional reasons, there will be things that you “just can’t part” with — clothes or shoes or books or mementoes or gifts, childhood items. This is difficult, but given time, you’ll learn that such attachments aren’t necessary.

9. Get rid of another third. At this point, you’re pretty minimalist, but you can cut back more.

10. Et cetera. The process will never end, until you actually give up everything. I’m not there yet.

These steps are just a rough outline of what I went through, but it’s a look into a process that might help.

Check out Leo’s site: mnmlist.com

Slaying the Filing Monster

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on February 19, 2010.

At the Office: Slaying the Filing Monster

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your filing?  Well the other day I attacked the filing monster and defeated it. It can be a simple process to defeat file clutter and disorganization, it just takes a little time and patience.

Some of these ideas I got from reading Get Things Done by David Allen, but most of it is just common sense. A tightly controlled filing system will make you more efficient and create a stronger professional image. In addition, you will just feel better every time you open a file drawer and know exactly where everything is located.

1. Take everything out of one drawer and evaluate what is in these files. Is anything outdated and no longer needed? Are some of these papers just copies that are being kept elsewhere? Be merciless and get rid of anything that is not needed.
2. Replace worn out files and folders. Don’t be cheap on this step. Worn and ugly folders not only look unprofessional, they create a negative sense of the files’ contents.
3. Get a label maker. I know this does not sound very minimalistic, but it is an awesome tool. Neatly labeled files are easy to find and create a polished look.
4. Don’t feel trapped by files that you have to keep, but are very rarely used. Put them into file cabinets that are less frequently utilized or send them to storage. If practical, scan them and dispose of the originals. Desk file drawers are prime real estate and should only contain what is used frequently.
5. Beware of the miscellaneous folder. It is easy to shove things into this folder since almost everything qualifies as a miscellaneous. Go through this folder and try to find proper homes for these papers. Sometimes you will have create new files to accommodate what you find in this folder, but do it. Nothing is more frustrating than digging through a phone book sized file while someone is waiting.
6. Try not to let filing get back logged. Stacks of disorganized papers can be nightmare and make the ultimate process of filing something that becomes dread filled.
7. Alphabetize your files. Sounds too simple? Trying to arrange by any other method has always just brought me confusion later. Trying to keep most frequently used files in the front, etc. has never worked for me.

iPhone a Tool Towards Minimalism?

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on February 12, 2010.

When is a phone not just a phone? When it is an Apple iPhone.

Honestly, I love gadgets and always have, but the iPhone is something special. I believe it can be a tool towards minimalism. How? By using various apps and features of the iPhone to replace other things.

First off, it is of course a phone. This is something I would carry with me anyway. I also read email, send text messages, and surf the internet. All of these things are common uses of almost all smart phones. However, I am able to do even more with the iPhone.

The iPhone has a GPS which allows you to navigate to different places while in the car. The same GPS features allowed me to use it as a replacement for my Garmin 305. It is an incredible tracking tool for running. The app I use is called RunKeeper. It does everything that my Garmin used to do.

I also use it as a food diary and fitness tracker. I plan to discuss this topic in more depth in another post, but this alone has made a huge difference in my overall health and fitness.

In addition, I have replaced my iPod, PSP, alarm clock, and wallet with the iPhone. How did I replace my wallet? I use the case-mate ID and credit card case.

When approached with a minimalist mindset, the iPhone can replace:
• iPod
• Garmin sports watch
• cell phone
• GPS
• PDA
• food/fitness journal
• alarm clock
• wallet (using case)
• camera
• portable game system

Overall, it is one of the most versatile products available easily doing the job of 10 different things! Since I got my iPhone my pockets have become so much less cluttered. Now if I can only figure out a way to open doors with it…

Simple Design: Kitchens

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on February 11, 2010.

Inspirational images of modern minimalist kitchens:

What is simplicity? Why is it worth seeking?

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on February 9, 2010.

Simplicity is defined by Dictionary.com as:

1. the state, quality, or an instance of being simple.
2. freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts: an organism of great simplicity.
3. absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness: a life of simplicity.

Simplicity represents a pure state that does not require extras. It is the removal of unnecessary things. This approach allows us to live more fully and be engaged in what really matters to us, instead of mundane details.

Examples of unneeded complexities that hinder us include clutter, unnecessary obligations, too many projects, too many magazines, etc. American culture has been obsessed with having the biggest and most of everything. Turning on any television program can instantly point out the destructive nature of this cycle. The desperate seeking that plagues Americans (and now other countries) has sent us down a road of rampant consumerism, obesity and debt. A return to measured simplicity might be the antidote for many of the ailments of modern life.

Our goal is to highlight ways seeking simplicity can improve our lives and how we can remove needless complexities.

How many days have we spent absorbed into nothing while other tasks that truly mattered were left undone? By taking action to seek out simplicity we begin to focus on the core of who we are and what we wish to achieve. Layers of complexity can be cast aside allowing us to be more effective and more fulfilled.

Rethinking Necessities

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on February 9, 2010.

by Leo from mnmlist.com

One of the basics of minimalism is that you eliminate as many non-necessities as you can, to make room for what’s important.

If you don’t need a ton of clothing, you get rid of much of it. If you don’t need that new gadget, you don’t buy it. Within reason, of course.

You learn to be content with what you already have, with the necessities, with doing things you love rather than having things.

But it’s funny, because often things we assume are necessities are not necessarily so. The problem is that we categorize things as necessities because we’re used to them, and we can’t see how to live without them. And it’s difficult to make big changes.

Some examples:

A car. Cars are seen as necessities, but amazingly, people lived without them for quite awhile before the 20th century. Even today, some people manage to go carless. And it’s not impossible — especially if you live in a place with a decent public transportation system. And there are car sharing options now in many cities, so you can use a car when you need it, for much less than actually owning a car. It’s possible to bike and walk most places, and take public transit and shared cars everywhere else.

Meat. Many people believe they can’t live without steaks and burgers. And I was one of them. These days, I’m not only vegetarian, but mostly vegan. And it’s not that hard to change, if you do it slowly. It’s also healthier and better for the environment — meat and dairy animals are tremendously harmful to the environment and a huge waste of our natural resources.

Lots of clothes. While I don’t advocate going naked (though some do it) nor do I recommend just owning one outfit, it is possible to own less clothing than most people have. We don’t need to constantly buy clothes to stay fashionable — we can buy quality, timeless clothing, with colors and patterns chosen so that all our clothes go with each other.

A big house. Have less stuff, you need less house.

These are just a few examples — think about all the things you consider necessities. Are they really? What’s really needed, beyond food, shelter, basic clothing, and loved ones?

The Art of Being Minimalist eBook

Posted by SeekingSimplicity on February 9, 2010.

Download your free copy today for 24 hours.

The Art of Being Minimalist tells the story of how Everett Bogue was able to leave his job successfully during a recession and set out on his own. It explores how living a minimalist life can help you achieve your own ideas of success. It explains how being minimalist can help you live a life that revolves around activities that you enjoy.

Download your copy now!