Ready for the Feast
I’ve been drawn to simplicity and even minimalism for a really long time now.
I totally get the concept of living lighter on the earth. And of streamlining your life so that you can do more of the things that are important to you and leave out the stuff that doesn’t matter.
It’s exciting to watch as the Simple Living Movement evolves and morphs into the Lifestyle Design Movement, as people try to make their lives more meaningful. We realize that we cannot, any of us fit into anyone else’s mold, whether that be the mainstream lifestyle mold, or the simple living or lifestyle design molds. We are, each and every one of us, unique individuals, with our own unique needs and desires and ways of looking at the world.
Most of the reading I’ve done about minimalism and lifestyle design excites and thrills me. A life with less crap to weigh me down – Yay! A life without debt – Woo Hoo! A life without feasting and having dinner parties and eating in great restaurants – You’ve lost me completely.
And I’m not saying this to criticize anyone else. If eating simple, basic food and avoiding restaurants gets you to where you really want to be, then take that step. There are lots and lots of ways to do this. But for me, giving up the dryer, the TV, new clothes and shopping in general is what I cheerfully do so that I can afford to host four-course dinners for six several times a month, drink wine with dinner and, once in awhile, spend a lot of money on a really great dinner in a really great restaurant. It makes Alan and me truly happy. And I feel so, so fortunate to be able to make all the other choices that allow us to do that.
So, if you’re feeling weird about your shoe fetish, or the fact that you just can’t grow your own vegetables or you don’t want to give up your book collection and move to a smaller place, don’t worry about it! You’re among friends here. I applaud your desire to be true to yourself. And I look forward to hearing how you reconcile limited resources (time, money, energy) with the almost unlimited choices that life has to offer.
So, please, join the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts, to find out what you’re giving up and what you’re gaining from it. I’d love to know what your minimalism is for.
“We are, each and every one of us, unique individuals, with our own unique needs and desires and ways of looking at the world.”
YES! Thank you for the permission in this post to look within for what’s important. I write about that all the time, and it’s still good to hear it from someone else.
Me, I live happily without car, TV, movies, alcohol. In what I guiltily think of as a big (3-bedroom) house, which I share with a housemate, my bodywork business, and a weekly dance group. I look forward to the day when I don’t feel defensive about my need for space.
Just as it’s possible to ignore what we already have and keep looking for the next thing to acquire, I’m noticing that it’s possible to ignore what we’ve already gotten rid of and look for the next thing to eliminate. Maybe the present moment is enough, in both directions.
Thanks for the food for thought, and enjoy your feasting!
Sonia
I love that, Sonia! The present moment is enough, in both directions. Very cool.
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I am 100% on board with that philosophy!
Giving up everything and living with nothing is NOT the goal of Minimalism for me.
For me, it’s basically organizing and setting priorities about what makes you happy, and what doesn’t.
Wonderful blog!!
I’m glad you like it!