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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: rowdy on Wed, 08 March 2017, 03:09:40

Title: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 08 March 2017, 03:09:40
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/04/minimalism-conspicuous-consumption-class

I am not rich - far from it.  Can't even afford to enter the latest Bro sale.

I am a hoarder - all my spaces are full of things I might need one day and can't bear to throw out.  Always have been, ever since I can remember.

But I like the idea of minimalism, although definitely not for the reasons stated in that article.

I have been in a minimalistic situation in my past for reasons that I won't go into here, but that was about 20 years ago and since then I've accumulated a huge amount of possessions.

I like the idea of having just what you need to hand, and nothing else to distract or clutter the work space.

But I can't bear to part with any of my "treasured belongings" (or "old crap", as my other half would have it - she is almost equally as guilty of hoarding btw).

Is anyone else into minimalism?

If so, why?  Was there a traumatic event in you life that triggered minimalism?

Are you just rich, and can afford just one of a few very expensive things to live your life?

How did you transform from "normal" (or "hoarding") into a minimalist?
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Mechboards on Wed, 08 March 2017, 03:25:39
I've never had an abundance of money per se, so I kept my possessions to what I needed, as that's all I could afford. I created items that I couldn't normally just buy (think coffee table, chest of drawers, etc..) and through that I had a greater understanding of what I "needed" as I had to justify either spending money on an object, or spending a couple of weeks creating something which was half as good.

Nowadays anything that I haven't touched heads into the attic. I understand this isn't exactly the correct term for minimalism as I hoard just as much as anyone, but objects that are no longer needed, are no longer "around" unless one day they become purposeful again. I still have boxes packed from when I moved 15 years ago.

But around in me in everyday life is a clean desk, a small car, my house is pretty "sparse" and that's what I got used to, and that's how I like it.

Organisation is key.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 08 March 2017, 03:42:08
Most of my possessions have cost me nothing, or not very much.  They just seem to accumulate.  I've thrown out more old servers than most people have ever owned (and still have far too many).

Stuff I don't use tends to get put in the garage or the shed, where it seems to accumulate because I might need it one day.  Or will put it on eBay when I get around to it.

I am fairly organised, although on the surface it might not seem like it.  Just there is so much stuff to organise.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: algernon on Wed, 08 March 2017, 04:32:22
Interestingly, the desktop of my computer is quite minimalist, there's like 3 applications running, all full screen, every one of them with useless distractions removed:

(http://i.imgur.com/b21nEj2.png)

The rest looks similar. No toolbars, no menus, no top or bottom launch bars or anything of that sort. No window decorations, either. This is, I believe, fairly minimalist.

Now, my desk... at work, that has cables and whatnot all over the place, but it's reasonably tidy. At home, eek. Gadgets all over the place. The rest of the house is orderly, but that's all thanks to my wife.

Thus, I'm a minimalist when it comes to computer user interfaces. Quite the contrary otherwise.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: fanpeople on Wed, 08 March 2017, 05:31:55
currently living a minimalist life. I have three plates, a few sets of knives and spoons a few pans, sandwich maker and a bar fridge in the kitchen. in my bedroom i have a double matress (no bedframe), my computer and a desk + chair. One other room has my tools and modding stuff. A pile of clothes and thats it.

Its kinda refreshing not having so much clutter but my other house is filled with crap.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: xondat on Wed, 08 March 2017, 07:57:44
I will one day, I've been saying for the past several months. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 08 March 2017, 08:10:52
I think there's certainly a need for clean and orderly aesthetics when you're trying to do certain types of work.. to help you stay focused..

But, you can't build anything without lots of tools and material.. NOTHING,

There are no machine shops without lots of STUFF..  These are the places work happen..


I think very generally, it comes down to staying organized.. rather than to void oneself of physical possessions.



Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: dgneo on Wed, 08 March 2017, 08:16:40
http://robrhinehart.com/?p=1331

how2becometruminimalist
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: xtrafrood on Wed, 08 March 2017, 09:03:35
When I lived out of my car for two months in SFL my mind was completely clear of all excess thoughts. I hated myself (still do) but I experienced a good amount of tranquility.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 08 March 2017, 20:03:23
currently living a minimalist life. I have three plates, a few sets of knives and spoons a few pans, sandwich maker and a bar fridge in the kitchen. in my bedroom i have a double matress (no bedframe), my computer and a desk + chair. One other room has my tools and modding stuff. A pile of clothes and thats it.

Its kinda refreshing not having so much clutter but my other house is filled with crap.

I was living pretty much like that about 15 years ago, but it took a pretty traumatic event to get me to that stage.  Not sure I could go through it again.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 08 March 2017, 20:04:08
http://robrhinehart.com/?p=1331

how2becometruminimalist

A great story, but I'm not in a position to make those sacrifices.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Leslieann on Wed, 08 March 2017, 21:40:08
Of all the pictures in that article, only one of them is or even looks remotely lived in, the rest are all completely staged pictures (the last is staged as well, no one's bike looks like that for long if they ride it).

If you want to see the ultimate in this style of staging, go look at magazines such as Good Housekeeping or Country Living, you will see homes which are impeccable, even though the family may have 4 young kids. Do you honestly expect me to believe that house with 4 kids is going to look perfect and un-lived in at all times?

Personally, I think a clean desk is the sign of an insane mind.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: sth on Wed, 08 March 2017, 21:44:42
one thing that really started me on my way towards owning less was this:
i used to keep everything. any present someone got me, even birthday cards, whatever, junk, i hated throwing stuff away especially stuff that was given to me. it made me feel guilty to even think about throwing it out. but someone sat me down and told me that those emotional attachments i had to that stuff would stay with me even if i got rid of the stuff, and if it didn't, well then I never really had a true attachment to it anyway.
just think of the last pair of jeans you threw out was - it's almost hard to think of a specific pair because even though you had them for a long time, once they're gone, they're just another pair of jeans you used to wear.

i'm definitely not a trve minimalist but i have pared down my entire life to about 4-5 boxes of stuff plus musical equipment. feels pretty good to be able to get up and go with just a pickup truck or a van.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 08 March 2017, 23:32:26
Of all the pictures in that article, only one of them is or even looks remotely lived in, the rest are all completely staged pictures (the last is staged as well, no one's bike looks like that for long if they ride it).

If you want to see the ultimate in this style of staging, go look at magazines such as Good Housekeeping or Country Living, you will see homes which are impeccable, even though the family may have 4 young kids. Do you honestly expect me to believe that house with 4 kids is going to look perfect and un-lived in at all times?

Personally, I think a clean desk is the sign of an insane mind.

 
one thing that really started me on my way towards owning less was this:
i used to keep everything. any present someone got me, even birthday cards, whatever, junk, i hated throwing stuff away especially stuff that was given to me. it made me feel guilty to even think about throwing it out. but someone sat me down and told me that those emotional attachments i had to that stuff would stay with me even if i got rid of the stuff, and if it didn't, well then I never really had a true attachment to it anyway.
just think of the last pair of jeans you threw out was - it's almost hard to think of a specific pair because even though you had them for a long time, once they're gone, they're just another pair of jeans you used to wear.

i'm definitely not a trve minimalist but i have pared down my entire life to about 4-5 boxes of stuff plus musical equipment. feels pretty good to be able to get up and go with just a pickup truck or a van.



hahaha.. some people are sentimental... don't overlook your ability to entangle your external realities with emotional ones.

It's never one way or the other..  You'd want to hang on to as much stuff as can be usefully catalogued..  if the possessions become hindrances, then you must stop
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Leslieann on Thu, 09 March 2017, 00:23:21
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 09 March 2017, 00:29:33
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.

as in live in a yacht ? with the champagne bar and bubble tub, and the bikini females ?
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Puddsy on Thu, 09 March 2017, 00:52:58
i'm a pretty serious minimalist

storage space is my number 1 priority when thinking about living spaces

everyone who comes into my dorm room always remarks on how clean it is

but they don't know about the drawer full of keyboards
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 09 March 2017, 01:24:29
i'm a pretty serious minimalist

storage space is my number 1 priority when thinking about living spaces

everyone who comes into my dorm room always remarks on how clean it is

but they don't know about the drawer full of keyboards

that's cuz you live in a dorm room though..  If you get a larger place, the mindset changes.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: SBJ on Thu, 09 March 2017, 02:40:15
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.

as in live in a yacht ? with the champagne bar and bubble tub, and the bikini females ?
Party at Leslie's place!
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 09 March 2017, 20:10:32
Of all the pictures in that article, only one of them is or even looks remotely lived in, the rest are all completely staged pictures (the last is staged as well, no one's bike looks like that for long if they ride it).

If you want to see the ultimate in this style of staging, go look at magazines such as Good Housekeeping or Country Living, you will see homes which are impeccable, even though the family may have 4 young kids. Do you honestly expect me to believe that house with 4 kids is going to look perfect and un-lived in at all times?

Personally, I think a clean desk is the sign of an insane mind.

I have a 10yo daughter, so no environment would be anywhere near as sterile as those.  My thoughts were more about my personal spaces, and how they seem to be getting smaller due to the increasing number of accumulated things.  If the philosophy can spread to other parts of the house, so much the better.

one thing that really started me on my way towards owning less was this:
i used to keep everything. any present someone got me, even birthday cards, whatever, junk, i hated throwing stuff away especially stuff that was given to me. it made me feel guilty to even think about throwing it out. but someone sat me down and told me that those emotional attachments i had to that stuff would stay with me even if i got rid of the stuff, and if it didn't, well then I never really had a true attachment to it anyway.
just think of the last pair of jeans you threw out was - it's almost hard to think of a specific pair because even though you had them for a long time, once they're gone, they're just another pair of jeans you used to wear.

i'm definitely not a trve minimalist but i have pared down my entire life to about 4-5 boxes of stuff plus musical equipment. feels pretty good to be able to get up and go with just a pickup truck or a van.

This is good - I like ideas like that.  I'm still trying to find an incentive to actually get rid of some stuff.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iri on Thu, 09 March 2017, 20:11:39
I am a poor **** so I don't own many things.

I want to move into a boat to avoid paying council tax.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 09 March 2017, 20:48:56
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.

as in live in a yacht ? with the champagne bar and bubble tub, and the bikini females ?
Party at Leslie's place!

Tp4 am invited ? Tp4 can't fordz champagan.. but willing to spring for industrial box wine.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: digi on Thu, 09 March 2017, 20:57:14
Minimalism sounds good (makes us feel good temporarily) but we can't escape the inevitable, we'll re-horde after we purge..its in our nature (humans)... we all need Korean customs at one point its just whether you're in denial or not. :D
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: noobas4urus on Thu, 09 March 2017, 21:04:18
Minimalism sounds good (makes us feel good temporarily) but we can't escape the inevitable, we'll re-horde after we purge..its in our nature (humans)... we all need Korean customs at one point its just whether you're in denial or not. :D

I'm in the re-horde and purge boat.  My first boss had owned his business for 25 years when I started with him and kept everything.  After spending a few years cleaning out his old stuff, it really ingrained in me that while I think I might use something one day, it also might sit in a storage container for 15 years and I'll forget where it is and buy another.  Seeing that happen so many times made me think about an object in a realistic way, not just a sentimental one.  I have crutches I hold onto, sure, but I try to limit them.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Leslieann on Thu, 09 March 2017, 22:39:37
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.

as in live in a yacht ? with the champagne bar and bubble tub, and the bikini females ?
Party at Leslie's place!
I said small boat, not a yacht.

Anyhow, yes, party at my place anytime, day or night... Don't worry about knocking, just come in through the back, don't worry the dogs won't bite. Guaranteed to be a life changing event.
Address is 1600 Pensylvania Ave. Washington, DC.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 11 March 2017, 07:04:26
My great grandparents lived through both world wars and the crisis after them. I've helped clean/rebuild/decorate places, where they (or people their generation) lived and it's always been a humbling experience. I'm not sure how many people (in first-world countries) can imagine manually making their own planks with primitive tools or reusing _nails_, and not only because they weren't affordable, but because weren't _available_ at all. Keeping stuff comes handy then.

…and **** will hit the fan again, rather sooner than later.

I'm not opposed to owning/using relatively few high-quality things, but even those require maintenance, that you can either outsource, or it's necessary to keep tools and what not.

And really, that's the failure of Rob Rhinehart mentioned above (http://robrhinehart.com/?p=1331).
Quote
Now I don’t need any of them [power plants]. I am electrically self reliant. My home life runs comfortably on a single 100W solar panel, which cost $150 and was available on Amazon Prime.
No, you idiot. How do you think your solar panels are made? How does Amazon run? How is your soylent made? …

Being self-reliant is great. Buying soylent (and forgetting how to cook) is not that, though.

It's even more apparent with backpackers. The guys that always go lightweight look cool… until they start asking everyone around to lend them basically everything.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 11 March 2017, 07:10:20
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: suntorywhisky on Sat, 11 March 2017, 07:30:58
Think about the things that truly add value to your life. That motto has helped me de-clutter and decrease the mental weight of possessing things I don't really need or use.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 11 March 2017, 11:54:02
Think about the things that truly add value to your life. That motto has helped me de-clutter and decrease the mental weight of possessing things I don't really need or use.

The problem is less simple than that,


Because the dynamic of LIFE is that nothing can be ADDED to it..   because nothing makes you live longer.


You're always spending life despite any and all choice..

And because regardless of whether you're a poor man when you die at 70 or if you're a rich man when you die at 70,  You've spent the same amount of your worth of LIFE, 70 years, to get there..


So, when people want to ADD value, or Accumulate..  This entire concept may need re-examining.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: digi on Sat, 11 March 2017, 13:26:25
The guys that always go lightweight look cool… until they start asking everyone around to lend them basically everything.

I was gonna ask to borrow $5..
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: fanpeople on Sat, 11 March 2017, 16:50:07
The guys that always go lightweight look cool… until they start asking everyone around to lend them basically everything.

I was gonna ask to borrow $5..

hey can i borrow your toothbrush.... and $2.5 of that fiver
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: digi on Sat, 11 March 2017, 17:06:40
The guys that always go lightweight look cool… until they start asking everyone around to lend them basically everything.

I was gonna ask to borrow $5..

hey can i borrow your toothbrush.... and $2.5 of that fiver

iGoTcHuFaM
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Leslieann on Sat, 11 March 2017, 18:53:39
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.
Vid
Yup, sh*t happens.
You get those same problems with RVs and houses down in valleys, excect they don't sink when things go wrong... Usually.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 11 March 2017, 20:12:02
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.
Vid
Yup, sh*t happens.
You get those same problems with RVs and houses down in valleys, excect they don't sink when things go wrong... Usually.


amphibious rv..  or idk.. do they make luxury submarine homes ?
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: xtrafrood on Sun, 12 March 2017, 05:01:57
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.
Vid
Yup, sh*t happens.
You get those same problems with RVs and houses down in valleys, excect they don't sink when things go wrong... Usually.


amphibious rv..  or idk.. do they make luxury submarine homes ?

Florida has a bunch of those. But over here they just call them houses :))
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 12 March 2017, 16:50:34
I'm not saying people can't compress, I considered moving onto a small boat, but that's still a far cry from the sterile environment shown in the photos.
Vid
Yup, sh*t happens.
You get those same problems with RVs and houses down in valleys, excect they don't sink when things go wrong... Usually.


amphibious rv..  or idk.. do they make luxury submarine homes ?

Florida has a bunch of those. But over here they just call them houses :))

From google it seems dubai has an actual house / boat in the works..

Comes with its own coral garden.

only 10-15 million.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 15 March 2017, 21:11:49
I used to work with someone who actually did live on a boat.

However that was while he was in Melbourne - I gathered that he had some sort of mansion up in QLD.

No idea how big the boat was.

I have not got any boats.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: digi on Wed, 15 March 2017, 21:51:48
I used to work with someone who actually did live on a boat.

However that was while he was in Melbourne - I gathered that he had some sort of mansion up in QLD.

No idea how big the boat was.

I have not got any boats.

Just remember that every time he goes poop, he drops his fecal matter into our oceans. PROTECT OUR BEACHES!!!
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: digi on Wed, 15 March 2017, 23:12:06
Recently I've been buying WAY more stuff then I usually do and I feel GREAT!! :D
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 16 March 2017, 04:48:16
Recently I've been buying WAY more stuff then I usually do and I feel GREAT!! :D

then the bill comes...

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: fanpeople on Thu, 16 March 2017, 04:59:17
Recently I've been buying WAY more stuff then I usually do and I feel GREAT!! :D

then the bill comes...

(Attachment Link)

what the police?
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 16 March 2017, 06:20:48
Recently I've been buying WAY more stuff then I usually do and I feel GREAT!! :D

then the bill comes...

(Attachment Link)

what the police?

Are you a cop...  you must answer.... if asked..

does that apply online.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: kolec94 on Thu, 16 March 2017, 08:10:44
I think that is somewhat of a misconception that minimalism means less stuff It is just a cleaner look of the stuff you have because a lot of the minimalist design have storage and storage that is described as other items
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: digi on Thu, 16 March 2017, 09:03:56
I think that is somewhat of a misconception that minimalism means less stuff It is just a cleaner look of the stuff you have because a lot of the minimalist design have storage and storage that is described as other items

So minimalism is still having the same amount of stuff, just keeping in storage and out of view?

I call that "organzied". :D
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: kolec94 on Thu, 16 March 2017, 09:44:05
I think that is somewhat of a misconception that minimalism means less stuff It is just a cleaner look of the stuff you have because a lot of the minimalist design have storage and storage that is described as other items

So minimalism is still having the same amount of stuff, just keeping in storage and out of view?

I call that "organzied". :D
Yes pretty much having evrything clean and organized and not having it look cluttered is all minimalism is

Sent from my LGLS755 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: bmmcwhirt on Thu, 16 March 2017, 10:10:38
If I could be a minimalist it would solve so many problems in my life. I've never been diagnosed with ADD, but I currently have about 20 hobbies, I have over 40 tabs open in Chrome covering at least 15 different topics and my work spaces are all cluttered with unfinished projects.

In Techno there is a sub-genre called minimalism where there are very few layers. Usually just a TB-303 and a TR-909 or TR-808. Some very amazing music comes from this simple 2 track (unless you record each drum out to a track) method.

Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: kolec94 on Thu, 16 March 2017, 11:10:58
If I could be a minimalist it would solve so many problems in my life. I've never been diagnosed with ADD, but I currently have about 20 hobbies, I have over 40 tabs open in Chrome covering at least 15 different topics and my work spaces are all cluttered with unfinished projects.

In Techno there is a sub-genre called minimalism where there are very few layers. Usually just a TB-303 and a TR-909 or TR-808. Some very amazing music comes from this simple 2 track (unless you record each drum out to a track) method.
you should try taking a look at what you have actually done with that hobby after same a month and see if it is still just as enthusiastic about that hobby as you were before
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 16 March 2017, 12:31:44
I think that is somewhat of a misconception that minimalism means less stuff It is just a cleaner look of the stuff you have because a lot of the minimalist design have storage and storage that is described as other items

So minimalism is still having the same amount of stuff, just keeping in storage and out of view?

I call that "organzied". :D

/zerg rush, kekeke,   

/just messed up ur ****..

//wha wha....
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: digi on Thu, 16 March 2017, 12:46:41
I think that is somewhat of a misconception that minimalism means less stuff It is just a cleaner look of the stuff you have because a lot of the minimalist design have storage and storage that is described as other items

So minimalism is still having the same amount of stuff, just keeping in storage and out of view?

I call that "organzied". :D

/zerg rush, kekeke,   

/just messed up ur ****..

//wha wha....

I learn new stuff every day here!
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: romevi on Thu, 16 March 2017, 12:54:36
Yeah I feel like people stuff their crap into storage and then take pics of their clean setups and call it minimal.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: vivalarevolución on Thu, 16 March 2017, 13:07:44
I used to be quite the minimalist.  Everything that I owned could fit into my car. 

Then I got started with these hobbies and actually bought some furniture.  Now I feel like I have too much stuff and I'm currently going through a purge phase.  Modern Life is an endless battle with stuff.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: bmmcwhirt on Sat, 18 March 2017, 13:43:07
If I could be a minimalist it would solve so many problems in my life. I've never been diagnosed with ADD, but I currently have about 20 hobbies, I have over 40 tabs open in Chrome covering at least 15 different topics and my work spaces are all cluttered with unfinished projects.

In Techno there is a sub-genre called minimalism where there are very few layers. Usually just a TB-303 and a TR-909 or TR-808. Some very amazing music comes from this simple 2 track (unless you record each drum out to a track) method.
you should try taking a look at what you have actually done with that hobby after same a month and see if it is still just as enthusiastic about that hobby as you were before

That's just it. As soon as I start thinking about it I go off and start working on that hobby and forget about eveythig else I was doing till something else pops into my mind.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 11 April 2017, 21:59:13
I think that is somewhat of a misconception that minimalism means less stuff It is just a cleaner look of the stuff you have because a lot of the minimalist design have storage and storage that is described as other items

So minimalism is still having the same amount of stuff, just keeping in storage and out of view?

I call that "organzied". :D

My out of sight storage spaces are overflowing, and there's more stuff to go in there.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 17 April 2017, 16:42:20
I've always been a minimalist from as early as I can remember. Even when I was a kid, I tried to order my room, give everything a place, box stuff, sort stuff, throw stuff out ruthlessly, etc.

I feel minimalism has to do with order in the mind and efficiency, optimizing your life. My life is busy now, if my workplace is a mess I can't work. I have to clean op and order first. My desk is as clean as it gets: white, monitor, kb+mouse, and studio monitors. That's it.

My kitchen only has kitchen counter, stove and fridge + wood carve board.

My living room is functional: two pieces of furniture, one for printer + crap behind doors, one for TV + electronics. Then just a siting corner with a couch, table, and a kampfy chair.

I need order, I need to remember by hard where I put stuff. If I'm at the office and my significant other calls me where something is, I just know it. I can visualize it. I can tell her exactly where to look (exceptions apply of course, I'm not a saint).
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Sylvester on Tue, 01 August 2017, 02:08:54
is cool.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 01 August 2017, 21:49:42
is cool.

And perhaps something to attain to.

Looks like I'll be moving house again in about a year, so I've got that long to try to dispel my attachment to my many treasured belongings, perhaps some within the next two weeks which is when the next hard rubbish collection is.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iLLucionist on Sun, 08 October 2017, 10:17:37
Having stuff makes me anxious. I always try to justify what I have, and disregard things. Of course, occasionally, I regret throwing or giving stuff away.

I want to be able to count the objects around me in categories (computers, keyboards, furniture, etc.) under below 10.

Except for tableware, because I like to cook.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Shapey Fiend on Mon, 09 October 2017, 17:50:25
I think if you take minimalism to an extreme like this it's really sterile. A house should have some form as well as function and if you're going to have less stuff it should be eye catching by itself, not ikea plywood ****e.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iri on Mon, 09 October 2017, 17:52:21
Having stuff makes me anxious. I always try to justify what I have, and disregard things. Of course, occasionally, I regret throwing or giving stuff away.
If I were like you I'd have to throw away ~200 writing instruments
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Zobeid Zuma on Mon, 09 October 2017, 19:18:29
It's time like this when I'm glad I live in rural small-town Texas where we never even hear about these fads and trends until they've already run their course and the backlash has begun.  That makes it easy to just shrug and keep on doing what we're doing.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Duckyreddy on Mon, 09 October 2017, 19:28:13
My idea of minimalism is keeping your favourite things and asking yourself What do I need, what are things that I can't live without...  :thumb:

Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 09 October 2017, 23:03:46
My idea of minimalism is keeping your favourite things and asking yourself What do I need, what are things that I can't live without...  :thumb:



hai , i'm a drug addict..  I need drugs.. I can't live without drugs..   /Minimalist ??
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Duckyreddy on Mon, 09 October 2017, 23:50:34
My idea of minimalism is keeping your favourite things and asking yourself What do I need, what are things that I can't live without...  :thumb:



hai , i'm a drug addict..  I need drugs.. I can't live without drugs..   /Minimalist ??

Yes, that is minimalism at its finest.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iLLucionist on Tue, 10 October 2017, 17:41:07
My idea of minimalism is keeping your favourite things and asking yourself What do I need, what are things that I can't live without...  :thumb:



hai , i'm a drug addict..  I need drugs.. I can't live without drugs..   /Minimalist ??

What kinda drugs tp? TELL ME
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iLLucionist on Tue, 10 October 2017, 17:43:56
Having stuff makes me anxious. I always try to justify what I have, and disregard things. Of course, occasionally, I regret throwing or giving stuff away.
If I were like you I'd have to throw away ~200 writing instruments

It also has a downside. Whenever I need to jot something down, I can't. Coz I have 2 fountain pens, the best one and the semi-best one. And the are locked up in a predestined place. Like they SHOULD BE. I'm always swearing where the F my pen at.

Same goes for post-its. They are "where they should be", which is a rather impractical place. So yes, it looks tidy. But it's not always practical.

The only redundancy and abundance I have in my house is with food and tableware. And alcohol.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 11 October 2017, 21:07:46
I've recently been told that the main wardrobe is TOO FULL and we need to have a clear out.  Granted most of the clothes in there are not mine, but the CD/DVD collection is, the Bro Caps boxes are also mine, I'd have to admit, and there might even be a couple of keyboards stashed somewhere in there.  There are definitely a few keyboard boxes on the top shelf.

*sigh*
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iLLucionist on Thu, 12 October 2017, 15:11:04
I've recently been told that the main wardrobe is TOO FULL and we need to have a clear out.  Granted most of the clothes in there are not mine, but the CD/DVD collection is, the Bro Caps boxes are also mine, I'd have to admit, and there might even be a couple of keyboards stashed somewhere in there.  There are definitely a few keyboard boxes on the top shelf.

*sigh*

1. Sell half wardrobe for moneys
2. Buy keyboards
3. Takes up less space
4. ???
5. Profit!
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Duckyreddy on Thu, 12 October 2017, 15:14:24
I've recently been told that the main wardrobe is TOO FULL and we need to have a clear out.  Granted most of the clothes in there are not mine, but the CD/DVD collection is, the Bro Caps boxes are also mine, I'd have to admit, and there might even be a couple of keyboards stashed somewhere in there.  There are definitely a few keyboard boxes on the top shelf.

*sigh*

1. Sell half wardrobe for moneys
2. Buy keyboards
3. Takes up less space
4. ???
5. Profit!

+1
Did exactly that, clean wardrobe and more boards.
Sold my guitar and some camera gear, you see what this community does to you?  :p
(rip wallet)
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iLLucionist on Thu, 12 October 2017, 15:17:02
I've recently been told that the main wardrobe is TOO FULL and we need to have a clear out.  Granted most of the clothes in there are not mine, but the CD/DVD collection is, the Bro Caps boxes are also mine, I'd have to admit, and there might even be a couple of keyboards stashed somewhere in there.  There are definitely a few keyboard boxes on the top shelf.

*sigh*

1. Sell half wardrobe for moneys
2. Buy keyboards
3. Takes up less space
4. ???
5. Profit!

+1
Did exactly that, clean wardrobe and more boards.
Sold my guitar and some camera gear, you see what this community does to you?  :p
(rip wallet)

Yes it is horrible great. Unfortunately, I'm also into digital photography, lenses, and cooking. So I'm basically triple broke all the time.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Duckyreddy on Thu, 12 October 2017, 15:23:47
I've recently been told that the main wardrobe is TOO FULL and we need to have a clear out.  Granted most of the clothes in there are not mine, but the CD/DVD collection is, the Bro Caps boxes are also mine, I'd have to admit, and there might even be a couple of keyboards stashed somewhere in there.  There are definitely a few keyboard boxes on the top shelf.

*sigh*

1. Sell half wardrobe for moneys
2. Buy keyboards
3. Takes up less space
4. ???
5. Profit!

+1
Did exactly that, clean wardrobe and more boards.
Sold my guitar and some camera gear, you see what this community does to you?  :p
(rip wallet)

Yes it is horrible great. Unfortunately, I'm also into digital photography, lenses, and cooking. So I'm basically triple broke all the time.

Triple broke hahaha, that makes two of us
Managed to sell some gear that I no longer need but still kept my main body and some good glass though.

The hard part of cleaning up is deciding to keep or not to keep...
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: _cramil on Thu, 12 October 2017, 15:44:35
Interesting doc on the subject https://www.netflix.com/title/80114460 (https://www.netflix.com/title/80114460)
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: digi on Thu, 12 October 2017, 16:06:00
The 1st rule of minimalism is to buy as many clacks as possible..
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 12 October 2017, 20:56:20
Interesting doc on the subject https://www.netflix.com/title/80114460 (https://www.netflix.com/title/80114460)

Might have to look in to that ... thanks.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: 9999hp on Thu, 12 October 2017, 22:55:41
I'm not a pure minimalist in execution, however I do apply certain abstract tenets to my life in order to keep distractions minimal and control what I think is add/adhd.

Tmi, but a few years ago I both left the military and went through a divorce, I sold all of my possessions save for what could fit inside a couple tuff boxes (like floor lockers, maybe 3x1.25' or about so), my ps4, a laptop, my cat; I piled all that into my truck and moved across country to be closer to family. Once I was on my feet again in my own apartment, that was probably the most reduced my life had been. When I initially moved into my apartment I was sleeping on the floor which sucked, so I went to goodwill and bought an old recliner for 12 bucks and was sleeping in that for awhile. Mom complained about my sleeping situation, so a bed came next. That event there kind of catalyzed the slow accumulation of **** again, the quest for "necessities". My brother gave me a tv with a busted pixel he was going to through out, so I had a tv, a bed, some clothes, a recliner, a laptop, and a ps4. Plus whatever other stuff the apt provided.

While I was living sparsely,  I picked up art again and with as little distraction I had I was painting all the time. It was really nice, there was some kind of purity of experience in it; something that I feel like the west loses in when participating in a material world. Probably the healthiest I've felt mentally (Less negative thoughts) in a long time. I worked, however once that was done I left it at work, and would just paint until I had to sleep. On weekends, I would paint all day.

That didn't last long, as I acquired things over time to improve "QOL", not only material things but pets, SO.

Material minimalism is an extremely hard thing to accomplish the more living beings that participate in your life unless everyone is on board. And there is a balance that I think can be achieved without sacrificing common sense. 

Now, I've limited myself to two general hobbies and only participate in a particular aspect two at a time. One being art, the other being electronics. Then specify further, currently its keyboards and sculpting. Both are fairly disposable(or sell) when/if I need to.

I don't buy clothes, but however I like hats. I tossed a lot of my wardrobe and rotate through <10 items of shirts and pants combined.

My house is fairly empty and unimpressive by normal standards. It's generally fairly (relatively) unkempt because of ADD/too may things going on at once (as I perceive it). So the fight to stay organized is ongoing. However, not being in an apartment is such a win for my sanity. However, I can now sleep through the end of the world thanks to an apt next to a busy intersection.

I apply aspects to my thought processes as well, I don't waste time on thinking about anything other than what I mentioned above. SO/family, pets, hobbies. I very much am into awareness of thought and I've gotten fairly good at it, but again improvement is ongoing. I figure if something will make me better than yesterday, then it's okay. The idea/timing/resource expenditure must align. For example, I want to woodwork. It fits my category of Art, but I don't have money for it, and I am busy doing sculpting. It doesn't meet the requirements, I'm not gonna pursue it at this moment. However, what is free is info so I may look stuff up or do general research so if I ever do start it I'm not trying to do everything at once. I guess my thing is I'm accountable for my time. The stuff I don't do, I write down in a notebook (This is a recent change, so I can let myself forget about it.) More things = less time. I am more frugal with my time than money. The way I figure it is that I have an infinite amount of money, I just don't get it all at once.

I liken my life at an attempt as an ever adapting efficiency machine(meatbag). I spend less time/no time on negligible stuff and and utilitize the extra time to spend on stuff I do give a damn about.

My current "retirement" plan involves a converted van and national parks if they're still there. I should mention that I consider my income bracket to be low middle class on my own, less so with an SO.



Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: xtrafrood on Thu, 12 October 2017, 22:59:02
I have 10+ years of paycheck stubs I need to get rid of ffs. I have much to learn
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 12 October 2017, 23:03:24
At least you guys haz females..


Tp4 has ALL of your problems,,  but 0x females..
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: fanpeople on Sat, 14 October 2017, 07:39:55
I have 10+ years of paycheck stubs I need to get rid of ffs. I have much to learn

....... I still have payslips from when I worked part time at Woolworths as a cashier......... getting $5 an hour...... when I was 15



.... also did someone say drugs....... :cool:
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: xtrafrood on Sat, 14 October 2017, 12:19:28
I have 10+ years of paycheck stubs I need to get rid of ffs. I have much to learn

....... I still have payslips from when I worked part time at Woolworths as a cashier......... getting $5 an hour...... when I was 15



.... also did someone say drugs....... :cool:

Gonna Minnimalism my brain too!
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: 9999hp on Sat, 14 October 2017, 13:38:17


Tp4 has ALL of your problems,,  but 0x females..

Well do you want more of our problems? That's how you get more of our problems.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 15 October 2017, 01:09:46
I like the comments above about time.

Time is one thing that you can't buy any more of.

I might try to organise my things so I have more time.  More time to play with the things that I already have.

But still so many things ...
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: 9999hp on Sun, 15 October 2017, 07:06:11
An added to difficulty to getting rid of stuff is that there is too many steps in the actions of disposal. The easier it is to get rid of something, the easier it will be to let it go, for me.

You might try making lists in a notebook. May sound silly but it really is helpful. Design the list around what you want it to be. I would really avoid turning it into a strict schedule as that's mentally offputting for alot of people.

Maybe make a list of things you want to do on the weekend throughout the week. Which then, you can go through maybe the day before or that morning over coffee and cross off **** that you didn't want to do as much as other stuff. Keep quick, dirty, and simple.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 15 October 2017, 20:57:15
An added to difficulty to getting rid of stuff is that there is too many steps in the actions of disposal. The easier it is to get rid of something, the easier it will be to let it go, for me.

You might try making lists in a notebook. May sound silly but it really is helpful. Design the list around what you want it to be. I would really avoid turning it into a strict schedule as that's mentally offputting for alot of people.

Maybe make a list of things you want to do on the weekend throughout the week. Which then, you can go through maybe the day before or that morning over coffee and cross off **** that you didn't want to do as much as other stuff. Keep quick, dirty, and simple.

I tend to have a huge list of things to do, and just play it by ear.

I'm not fully in control of external influences on my time during the weekend, for example yesterday (Sunday) I went out bike riding with my daughter, an activity that was a spur of the moment thing.

But when I am at home, I've got so many things to do I can often just do whichever one appeals the most at the time.

Which is probably better than having a list of things to do that you really don't want to do and keep putting off.

I also try to balance or select activities based on how long they will (probably) take to complete.  For example finishing my M122 keyboard project will take at least half a day more, and I simply don't have half a day spare.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 16 October 2017, 13:50:11
An added to difficulty to getting rid of stuff is that there is too many steps in the actions of disposal. The easier it is to get rid of something, the easier it will be to let it go, for me.

You might try making lists in a notebook. May sound silly but it really is helpful. Design the list around what you want it to be. I would really avoid turning it into a strict schedule as that's mentally offputting for alot of people.

Maybe make a list of things you want to do on the weekend throughout the week. Which then, you can go through maybe the day before or that morning over coffee and cross off **** that you didn't want to do as much as other stuff. Keep quick, dirty, and simple.

But then I will end up with a ridiculous collection of lisps..lists..
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: 9999hp on Mon, 16 October 2017, 18:14:52
An added to difficulty to getting rid of stuff is that there is too many steps in the actions of disposal. The easier it is to get rid of something, the easier it will be to let it go, for me.

You might try making lists in a notebook. May sound silly but it really is helpful. Design the list around what you want it to be. I would really avoid turning it into a strict schedule as that's mentally offputting for alot of people.

Maybe make a list of things you want to do on the weekend throughout the week. Which then, you can go through maybe the day before or that morning over coffee and cross off **** that you didn't want to do as much as other stuff. Keep quick, dirty, and simple.

I tend to have a huge list of things to do, and just play it by ear.

I'm not fully in control of external influences on my time during the weekend, for example yesterday (Sunday) I went out bike riding with my daughter, an activity that was a spur of the moment thing.

But when I am at home, I've got so many things to do I can often just do whichever one appeals the most at the time.

Which is probably better than having a list of things to do that you really don't want to do and keep putting off.

I also try to balance or select activities based on how long they will (probably) take to complete.  For example finishing my M122 keyboard project will take at least half a day more, and I simply don't have half a day spare.

Yea that goes back to when I mentioned that the more living beings in your life the more flexibility you'll have to have. Like Bruce Lee has said, "..Become like water, friend..".

I hear you though, my list isn't at all about deadlines, since life is on going. Things continually rack up, I'm just getting used to this house life so I'm constantly adding to this master list, and I just kind of fit things in there as I can based on requirements (money, time, necessity.).

Also, things like chores are forever on that list. So I pretty much set a time for myself that I'm only gonna be doing chores, maybe an hour or  more depending; and using that hour I accomplish what I can. A system helps as well. Like cleaning one room a day, which forever rotates and over time hopefully I'll just stop being a messy ass.

I go through the same thing as the last item you said, it definitely is difficult to have to move a few other items around to be able to wipe your slate clean. However, I say if none of those items are necessary, move them. I don't think you'd regret putting them off a day. Do you have PTO? lol just take a sick day and handle that biz. Balance like you said.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: 9999hp on Mon, 16 October 2017, 18:26:38
An added to difficulty to getting rid of stuff is that there is too many steps in the actions of disposal. The easier it is to get rid of something, the easier it will be to let it go, for me.

You might try making lists in a notebook. May sound silly but it really is helpful. Design the list around what you want it to be. I would really avoid turning it into a strict schedule as that's mentally offputting for alot of people.

Maybe make a list of things you want to do on the weekend throughout the week. Which then, you can go through maybe the day before or that morning over coffee and cross off **** that you didn't want to do as much as other stuff. Keep quick, dirty, and simple.

But then I will end up with a ridiculous collection of lisps..lists..

lol the trick is to keep them in a single notebook, however you can start collecting different note books for different things.. That happens too  :'(. Well.. They can be stacked on a book case so it's not that bad.

Right now, aside from sketch books which I refuse to count; I have a graph paper notebook for thumbnails for projects, a composition notebook for abstract ideas, one for particular lists to set up if I'm keen on doing a lot of things on a single day and not forgetting to do something. And a brown paper notebook for sketching. Included is a travel pencil case which includes everything to take a sketch up to finished line work with a few markers. None of the note books are full size either, they're all the smaller than a composition notebook.

I carry that stuff everywhere I think I'll have a place and a moment to write something.

People carry all that stuff in their phone at all times, however a phone is too distracting for me and tethered to a battery. Also the feedback of a paper and pen(cil) is much better than electronics. However, for something like novel writing or long form notes, keyboard and comp are significantly faster and less tiring.  And maybe take up less space, not in my case.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: Shapey Fiend on Mon, 16 October 2017, 18:52:35
I've got a list of all the things I have to do in my head and I don't generally have huge problems getting them done because they have to be done. A lot of them are things I need to do for other people, the best motivator.

Beyond those I don't generally do a lot of stuff under my own steam. I'm taking up and old hobby again, writing and performing a thing in December, and that I can do it because after opting in I now feel I have to put in a good effort or I'll let people down.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: iLLucionist on Wed, 18 October 2017, 14:41:56
An added to difficulty to getting rid of stuff is that there is too many steps in the actions of disposal. The easier it is to get rid of something, the easier it will be to let it go, for me.

You might try making lists in a notebook. May sound silly but it really is helpful. Design the list around what you want it to be. I would really avoid turning it into a strict schedule as that's mentally offputting for alot of people.

Maybe make a list of things you want to do on the weekend throughout the week. Which then, you can go through maybe the day before or that morning over coffee and cross off **** that you didn't want to do as much as other stuff. Keep quick, dirty, and simple.

But then I will end up with a ridiculous collection of lisps..lists..

lol the trick is to keep them in a single notebook, however you can start collecting different note books for different things.. That happens too  :'(. Well.. They can be stacked on a book case so it's not that bad.

Right now, aside from sketch books which I refuse to count; I have a graph paper notebook for thumbnails for projects, a composition notebook for abstract ideas, one for particular lists to set up if I'm keen on doing a lot of things on a single day and not forgetting to do something. And a brown paper notebook for sketching. Included is a travel pencil case which includes everything to take a sketch up to finished line work with a few markers. None of the note books are full size either, they're all the smaller than a composition notebook.

I carry that stuff everywhere I think I'll have a place and a moment to write something.

People carry all that stuff in their phone at all times, however a phone is too distracting for me and tethered to a battery. Also the feedback of a paper and pen(cil) is much better than electronics. However, for something like novel writing or long form notes, keyboard and comp are significantly faster and less tiring.  And maybe take up less space, not in my case.

A year back I decided to go back analog with some things. I cannot go back analog with my calendar, is I literally share it with all my colleagues.

But todo lists, scrabbles, notes, and writings are now on paper first, even some code snippets.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 20 October 2017, 22:06:12
An added to difficulty to getting rid of stuff is that there is too many steps in the actions of disposal. The easier it is to get rid of something, the easier it will be to let it go, for me.

You might try making lists in a notebook. May sound silly but it really is helpful. Design the list around what you want it to be. I would really avoid turning it into a strict schedule as that's mentally offputting for alot of people.

Maybe make a list of things you want to do on the weekend throughout the week. Which then, you can go through maybe the day before or that morning over coffee and cross off **** that you didn't want to do as much as other stuff. Keep quick, dirty, and simple.

But then I will end up with a ridiculous collection of lisps..lists..

lol the trick is to keep them in a single notebook, however you can start collecting different note books for different things.. That happens too  :'(. Well.. They can be stacked on a book case so it's not that bad.

Right now, aside from sketch books which I refuse to count; I have a graph paper notebook for thumbnails for projects, a composition notebook for abstract ideas, one for particular lists to set up if I'm keen on doing a lot of things on a single day and not forgetting to do something. And a brown paper notebook for sketching. Included is a travel pencil case which includes everything to take a sketch up to finished line work with a few markers. None of the note books are full size either, they're all the smaller than a composition notebook.

I carry that stuff everywhere I think I'll have a place and a moment to write something.

People carry all that stuff in their phone at all times, however a phone is too distracting for me and tethered to a battery. Also the feedback of a paper and pen(cil) is much better than electronics. However, for something like novel writing or long form notes, keyboard and comp are significantly faster and less tiring.  And maybe take up less space, not in my case.

A year back I decided to go back analog with some things. I cannot go back analog with my calendar, is I literally share it with all my colleagues.

But todo lists, scrabbles, notes, and writings are now on paper first, even some code snippets.

I went digital to get rid of old manual things.

I can still remember copying calendar entries from last year's diary to this year's year after year.  Now that it is online, I don't have a growing stack of old diaries and can just search stuff.
Title: Re: Minimalism?
Post by: 9999hp on Fri, 20 October 2017, 22:25:25
That's pretty awesome tbh, and I'd like to do the same in theory, but it's just not effective for me. There's not enough of a ritual for me.