When first reading your article, I thought maybe you had been living in LA and were now homeless! Glad to see that this was your choice for a while (and so sorry for all those whose choice this was not).
Although I absolutely agree with you about the anchors that 'things' put on us and the need to limit them, there are also categories of 'things', such as artwork one has done oneself or journals that one has written from the age of 16 (now in my mid-70s), that don't allow for answers that I can find comfort in. The thought of a future absence of the voluminous number of notebooks in which I've written my life, and some of the clay sculptures I've made through the years that express my joy and my pain, is hard to contemplate. Even though as others have said, in the end we will be leaving it all behind, to be deprived of these while living would be like living without memory. Yes, I am that anchored by them.
I commend your ability to adapt and withdraw from material things. It's a burden I struggle with too. I just like my home, my garden, trees, and the necessary tools and stuff to maintain a simple lifestyle. I know I have too much stuff but I try not to waste too much and I like to be frugal. Eventually we have to give up everything anyway which puts this in perspective.
It's sad thinking about losing everything but life is paradoxical. Material things and wealth aren't all they're cracked up to be in the end. You need to be grateful for what you have, which helps to free us from always wanting more.
Interesting that this article came up during a period I was binge watching hoarder cleanout videos. One lady had 16 storage units full. In response to the hoard videos, I have cleaned out my spice cabinet, the cleaning closet, the front hall closet and our clothes closet, taking pathetically few articles to the garbage can or the thrift shop. It is a good exercise to do this now and then. Thanks for the piece. It allowed more reflection on my part and stirred the urge to keep going.
Yeah, those hoarder cleanout videos are a great motivator! Well done for tackling your spice cabinet. That's always a tough one... Me: "What if I need this Chinese 5 Spice someday soon?" It sounds like you’re making great progress—keep going!
I enjoyed reading this, having down sized and up sized several times especially when we bought a farm. We quickly filled a big empty barn with all the equipment and tools we needed. We have now downsized, left self sufficiency and prepping , as it’s not sustainable or secure. As I am in my 70’s , it’s easy for me to say and do this.
Although I have been preparing for collapse for over 20 years and we are still living a privileged life. The only difference is more people are talking about collapse now…
Good luck with all your travels and new adventures .
It’s funny how different life stages can change what we view as essential, isn't it? Thank you for sharing your wisdom—your story speaks to the balance between readiness and adaptability.
The freedom from objects is a modern luxury in itself. Unless you are going to stop and chip out petroglyphs on the rocks you pass by, you only have access what knowledge you and any companions have amassed. Survival was a matter of chance. It was feast or famine. Most places were uninhabitable. The worst punishment imaginable was to be cast out without any companionship and shared resources. It was a slow and painful death sentence. The return from the proverbial 40 days and 40 nights alone without the resources necessary for survival was miraculous in itself.
As pensioners in our late 70s, my wife and I had already downsized to a smaller house. To ease the burden on our 3 sons when we exit this life, we’ve been shedding a lot of detritus in the form of unused furniture, knickknacks, and the like. It’s hard at first, but ultimately liberating.
Letting go of the "detritus" of life is never easy, but your focus on easing the transition for your family speaks volumes about your thoughtfulness. Kudos to you and your wife for taking those steps.
It's a nice article. You may be interested to hear - ordained Buddhist people in the tradition I know were advised, never own more than you can put in a car. Not always practical but I love it as a simple guide. It also makes it less scary when we're having to downsize. We're passing through this life briefly. Why weigh ourselves down with so much stuff? Well done for making such an authentic change.
The "collection" of useless stuff by society is mindless. Gotta go buy it and put it in the closet only helps our consumer economy, it does nothing for the individual.
I'm as guilty as anyone, but at least I have recognized it.
Same. Minus the dogs.
Let us know if you want one! (Just kidding... they are what keeps us going!)
When first reading your article, I thought maybe you had been living in LA and were now homeless! Glad to see that this was your choice for a while (and so sorry for all those whose choice this was not).
Although I absolutely agree with you about the anchors that 'things' put on us and the need to limit them, there are also categories of 'things', such as artwork one has done oneself or journals that one has written from the age of 16 (now in my mid-70s), that don't allow for answers that I can find comfort in. The thought of a future absence of the voluminous number of notebooks in which I've written my life, and some of the clay sculptures I've made through the years that express my joy and my pain, is hard to contemplate. Even though as others have said, in the end we will be leaving it all behind, to be deprived of these while living would be like living without memory. Yes, I am that anchored by them.
Thank you, Zahra, for your heartful articles.
I commend your ability to adapt and withdraw from material things. It's a burden I struggle with too. I just like my home, my garden, trees, and the necessary tools and stuff to maintain a simple lifestyle. I know I have too much stuff but I try not to waste too much and I like to be frugal. Eventually we have to give up everything anyway which puts this in perspective.
It's sad thinking about losing everything but life is paradoxical. Material things and wealth aren't all they're cracked up to be in the end. You need to be grateful for what you have, which helps to free us from always wanting more.
Aaron Clarey School of Economics: https://theclareyschoolofeconomicphilosophy.teachable.com/p/achieving-minimalism-theory-and-practice-1
Zahra and Stephen,
Good luck on your move. May Our Blessed Lord guide you and keep you safe through what is a trying time. God bless you and your doggies!
Thanks David! Your kindness shines through—thank you for sharing it.
Interesting that this article came up during a period I was binge watching hoarder cleanout videos. One lady had 16 storage units full. In response to the hoard videos, I have cleaned out my spice cabinet, the cleaning closet, the front hall closet and our clothes closet, taking pathetically few articles to the garbage can or the thrift shop. It is a good exercise to do this now and then. Thanks for the piece. It allowed more reflection on my part and stirred the urge to keep going.
Yeah, those hoarder cleanout videos are a great motivator! Well done for tackling your spice cabinet. That's always a tough one... Me: "What if I need this Chinese 5 Spice someday soon?" It sounds like you’re making great progress—keep going!
I enjoyed reading this, having down sized and up sized several times especially when we bought a farm. We quickly filled a big empty barn with all the equipment and tools we needed. We have now downsized, left self sufficiency and prepping , as it’s not sustainable or secure. As I am in my 70’s , it’s easy for me to say and do this.
Although I have been preparing for collapse for over 20 years and we are still living a privileged life. The only difference is more people are talking about collapse now…
Good luck with all your travels and new adventures .
It’s funny how different life stages can change what we view as essential, isn't it? Thank you for sharing your wisdom—your story speaks to the balance between readiness and adaptability.
The freedom from objects is a modern luxury in itself. Unless you are going to stop and chip out petroglyphs on the rocks you pass by, you only have access what knowledge you and any companions have amassed. Survival was a matter of chance. It was feast or famine. Most places were uninhabitable. The worst punishment imaginable was to be cast out without any companionship and shared resources. It was a slow and painful death sentence. The return from the proverbial 40 days and 40 nights alone without the resources necessary for survival was miraculous in itself.
yep, and that wasn't THAT long ago.
As pensioners in our late 70s, my wife and I had already downsized to a smaller house. To ease the burden on our 3 sons when we exit this life, we’ve been shedding a lot of detritus in the form of unused furniture, knickknacks, and the like. It’s hard at first, but ultimately liberating.
Letting go of the "detritus" of life is never easy, but your focus on easing the transition for your family speaks volumes about your thoughtfulness. Kudos to you and your wife for taking those steps.
It's a nice article. You may be interested to hear - ordained Buddhist people in the tradition I know were advised, never own more than you can put in a car. Not always practical but I love it as a simple guide. It also makes it less scary when we're having to downsize. We're passing through this life briefly. Why weigh ourselves down with so much stuff? Well done for making such an authentic change.
Interesting! That's a refreshing way to think about possessions. Thank you for sharing that insight!
Wonderfully articulated.
Thank you for the kind words.
I think the ability to be rather nimble physically will become a true asset. At least I have found that to be true the last decade.
Absolutely. I'm betting that letting go of "stuff" — along with staying physically and mentally fit — will turn out to be the ultimate prep.
The "collection" of useless stuff by society is mindless. Gotta go buy it and put it in the closet only helps our consumer economy, it does nothing for the individual.
I'm as guilty as anyone, but at least I have recognized it.
For sure! Recognizing the tendency to accumulate is the first step toward change.