Looking back on my adult life, I try to remember the times I was most satisfied. Some of those times were when I did not have many possessions. Like the time we were "camping" out in a house after moving to Virginia from California and the moving truck was not going to be there for another week.
I remember looking around the spacious living room and smiling, thinking to myself that I would like to keep it like this and not have all the furniture and belongings, that it was easier to keep clean and it was relaxing for the family not to have so much stuff.
At other times I would sell everything except sentimental things and move somewhere and start over. I would vow to keep it simple and then as time went on I would find just the right chair or table and eventually have a house full of furniture.
The latest adventure of two back to back floods in my basement apartment forced me to see every single thing I own except items on top shelves in the apartment, moved and temporarily stored in my garage, then the barest essentials eventually being brought back into the apartment. As I sit at my computer I look around and smile at the empty spaces. I have decided to call it my minimalistic lifestyle and have a clean, uncluttered look. Two big chairs, a small table, a side table, a file cabinet and a table for my computer and printers. That is the living room. Simple and comfortable. In the bedroom: Bed, wrought iron shelves for sweaters and shoes, smaller wrought iron shelves for more shoes, and a long bookcase that fits into closet for the clothes.
I am realizing the dream I had so many years ago of less furniture and fewer belongings. Am I turning into a, well, what is the word for a female monk?
10 comments:
I like the minimalist feeling, too. Fortunately I am married to a man who doesn't want to buy anything that cannot be easily picked up by the two of us. We don't actually have the usual furniture in our home, and I like it very much. Congratulations, Ms. Female Monk! :-)
My house needs a yard sale just get rid of the all the junk.
It seems to be a fact of life that empty spaces insist on being filled. When we moved into our present residence we loved all the great storage space and empty cupboards and drawers. Today ever nook and cranny is filled with stuff.
Sounds exactly like my place and that is precisely how I like it. Mind you, my house is so small I don't have much choice but I think it looks bigger when it isn't cluttered. Welcome to Female Monk-ness.
Nothing wrong with your lifestyle my dear...I envy you. Without going into a lot of detail, I thought my path was going in a particular direction so I put many projects on hold and now I find, I am not going in that direction any longer, so I am starting in on my projects. One of which means posting on my blog and taking each room, one at a time, and completely cleaning and purging whatever is not needed, functional or gives me great enjoyment. Good for you!
Oh, you're preachin' to the choir here! I love the minimalist lifestyle and have gotten my husband to see the light too. Our kids however, are a different story!
What a smarter way to live. The essential chair, computer , table and bed make senses, may you be happy.
I too like to keep life simple and streamlined. My mind is free and calm when there is less clutter within and without. Regarding female monks — the female counterparts to Buddhist monks are the nuns. Are you familiar with Pema Chondron? She is a Buddhist nun. You can check her out and listen to her teachings on youtube.
i hear you...we just purged a bunch before vacation, but i could purge more...i tend to hold onto books...but i am trying to think the herd...ha
Because we live in a tiny home, we keep things to the minimum but still have too much furniture until it's time to entertain, then there is no where for people to sit! lol So, I too am in this quandary. Do I get rid of more things? Never invite anyone over? I have decided to not buy more outdoor furniture as we seldom have guests out there any more.
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