Wealthy Gorilla

So, I went ahead buying things, because I thought it was the thing to do. Thankfully at some point in the last decade I got introduced via internet to guys from The Minimalists, then shortly after to your writings, Joshua.

And then, I realize I was not alone. I am so Thankful. You know there are some people like me, that needs that push, that start, that guidance, yes even in their later years. I am looking at your book right now, The More of Less. Thank you Joshua, I hope for nothing but the best for you and your family. My wife and I made this move a year ago, but the beginning happened 5 years ago as I approached my 60th birthday. The result was an hour of purging and over 4 large trash bags of clothing going to Charity.

The sense of liberation kept flowing, and now we are homeless and living in our van, down by the river…….. That would be extreme. But we have left the home behind and spent a year traveling. Oddly, the more we have given away, the more we have realized how important we are to each other, and that is, by far, the best part of the process for us. I think your blog has been a jumping off point and a crystallization of so many thoughts and desires swirling in my mind before I found it.

Three shirts, four pairs of trousers: meet Japan's 'hardcore' minimalists

I have a long ways to go to become truly minimalist, but I have seen you and Ryan speak in person at a bookstore in my area, and I love your philosophy. You inspire me each and every day. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Joshua- Thanks for your writing and encouragement. Congrats on a decade of less.

The minimalism you espouse is minimalism with a purpose.

6 Proven Ways Minimalism Can Change Your Life in 2 Weeks

That is the real end goal, not a sparsely furnished apartment, but a rich life of more time and resources to devote to the important things. Thanks again to you, and to your family for sharing you. Hi Joshua, Congratulations in your first ten years of minimalist journey. Thanks to my year old son Joshua who asked me to read your articles, I am on my second year of the same journey.

Your insights have helped us regain though slowly the most important perspective — our real purpose in life. Being exposed to aggressive consumerism and to culture of materialism brought us to a lifestyle of working for the sake of earning and accummulating temporal wealth. I encourage you to be courageous in writing about minimalism and your spirituality. I trust your readers will be greatly influenced to seek more of what is true, good and worthy of praise rather than be turned off by your disclosure. I like the whole list, but 4 really speaks to me. I want to be a minimalist but I have no idea where too start.

And the rest of the house stays messy. Where do I start? Do I just box up everything and give it to charity or do I take the time to try to sell it? I could sure use the money from selling things to go towards my cancer treatment but on the otherhand as a Christian I get great pleasure in being able to give to those in need and be an example to others, to take up my cross and follow Jesus. Only bother about selling valuable stuff and donate the rest: You probably are creative, prudent, not wanting to waste, caring about the future, having had your handsful of caring for others, and on top of all that grief and health issues crossed your path.

Be gentle with yourself! Prayers for peace in your journey! I love to hear that life is beautiful and beautiful more and more. I also admit that: Thank you very much for the post. Own less, live more, and create space for the things you love. Get new posts delivered right to your inbox:. On this day, ten years ago, I was introduced to minimalism. Here are some of the most significant ways minimalism has improved my life—and can improve yours as well: I have more intentionality in my life. I have more time and money than ever before.

I have more passion for living. I compare myself less with other people.

6 Proven Ways Minimalism Can Change Your Life in 2 Weeks

I was a natural hoarder of knickknacks that I thought made me an interesting person. At the same time, though, I was always comparing myself with other people who had more or better things, which often made me miserable. Most I had thumbed through once or twice, thinking that I would read them when I had the time. A guitar and amplifier, covered with dust.

How Minimalism Can Change Your Life

Even a fabulous antique camera, which of course I had never once put a roll of film in. Meanwhile, I kept comparing myself with others. A friend from college lived in a posh condo on newly developed land in Tokyo.


  • Goodbye things, hello minimalism: can living with less make you happier? | Books | The Guardian.
  • WHEEZERS WORLD?
  • Goodbye things, hello minimalism: can living with less make you happier??
  • Cry of the Wolf Singer (Wolf Singer Saga Book 1)!
  • Ten Ways Minimalism Will Improve Your Life.

It had a glitzy entrance and stylish Scandinavian furniture. When I visited, I found myself calculating his rent in my head as he graciously invited me in. What had happened, I thought?

How did our lives drift so far apart? I bought lottery tickets, hoping I could catch up in a flash. All the while, I carefully hid my inferiority complex and acted as though there was nothing wrong with my life. But I was miserable, and I made other people miserable, too.

In relation to learning to keep and what to put away, minimalism can actually help you prioritize not only your mess, but also your tasks. Learning how to prioritize also means getting rid of any unnecessary sentimental clutter. These are items that are only there because you feel bad about throwing them out, or because they were given to you during an important time in your life.

However, not all things are worth keeping. Learn to draw the line and say you no longer need some things to help you move on. A cluttered lifestyle is also often the result of a tech overload. Although the millennial generation and those who later adapted to the tech boom in the 21 st century are proudly called multi-taskers, taking on too many things at once can actually be detrimental not only to your output, but also your health. Get a much-needed break from the demands of a tech savvy individual. Make use only of one gadget at a time as much as possible.