"What would you replace if it were all gone?"
I found this a very interesting thought experiment in helping let go of unnecessary items. It flips giving-away on its head. For example, I have an iPod I rarely use. I didn't quite want to sell it, but thought "would I replace this if everything was gone?" and my answer was a resounding "no!"
This is probably only useful for people like myself who've only been considering the ERE mindset for about 30 days, and not so much the longer-term people.
"What Would You Replace..."
I went through the transformation (getting rid of my piles upon piles of crap) long ago and now have very few possessions. Still, the vast majority of what I have left wouldn't get replaced if it were all lost.
Among the possessions likely to be replaced (aside from things like a wardrobe and toiletries) would be my golf clubs, my rolex watch, my traveling backpack, and a small library.
I have other things I like owning (small coin collection, tiny baseball card collection, a few vintage pocketknives, etc) but wouldn't spend the money to replace just to own them again.
This is an interesting thought exercise. When I first started questioning my possessions and getting into minimalism, I wanted to have as few as possible; only the essentials. The closer and closer I got to that level (I had fewer than 100) I started to feel like I was living like a traveling businessman or a jetsetter rather than a man who owns a home and loves his roots. There were a certain number of possessions I wanted (but don't need) to keep around just to give the home the feeling of a home rather than an empty shell. I still don't own much, and I could pack up and move out in with an afternoon's notice, but I do have things I don't need.
Everyone who appreciated living small, minimalism, having few possessions interestingly enough, enjoys a different level of minimalism to suit their needs.
Among the possessions likely to be replaced (aside from things like a wardrobe and toiletries) would be my golf clubs, my rolex watch, my traveling backpack, and a small library.
I have other things I like owning (small coin collection, tiny baseball card collection, a few vintage pocketknives, etc) but wouldn't spend the money to replace just to own them again.
This is an interesting thought exercise. When I first started questioning my possessions and getting into minimalism, I wanted to have as few as possible; only the essentials. The closer and closer I got to that level (I had fewer than 100) I started to feel like I was living like a traveling businessman or a jetsetter rather than a man who owns a home and loves his roots. There were a certain number of possessions I wanted (but don't need) to keep around just to give the home the feeling of a home rather than an empty shell. I still don't own much, and I could pack up and move out in with an afternoon's notice, but I do have things I don't need.
Everyone who appreciated living small, minimalism, having few possessions interestingly enough, enjoys a different level of minimalism to suit their needs.
champ0608: "The closer and closer I got to that level (I had fewer than 100) I started to feel like I was living like a traveling businessman or a jetsetter rather than a man who owns a home and loves his roots. There were a certain number of possessions I wanted (but don't need) to keep around just to give the home the feeling of a home rather than an empty shell".
Wonderful sentence!
Yes, it is about balancing and seeking one's optimum. I am not so far as you jet but I am slowly growing to my/our optimum. That means for me still diminishing stuff.
Wonderful sentence!
Yes, it is about balancing and seeking one's optimum. I am not so far as you jet but I am slowly growing to my/our optimum. That means for me still diminishing stuff.
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Laura Ingalls
- Posts: 788
- Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:13 am
We had a fire so this is not hypothical for me.
I have replaced only a couple of books , no movies, and almost no music.
We replaced the tv (dh is a big tv guy) the sofa, and end tables as soon as we could.
Clothes have stayed pretty bare bones.
We jetsioned the hand me down bed after a short trip because when we returned we realized how terrible it was.
I have replaced only a couple of books , no movies, and almost no music.
We replaced the tv (dh is a big tv guy) the sofa, and end tables as soon as we could.
Clothes have stayed pretty bare bones.
We jetsioned the hand me down bed after a short trip because when we returned we realized how terrible it was.