Obviously, I have a huge interest in improving my life and yours too. As I stumble drunkenly through the blogosphere, I am drawn to great sites that offer tips on how to simplify and lead a minimalist life.
I get inspired by these sites but it is very easy for me to fall into the Simple Consumerism habit. If I read a tip on clutter and freeing my life from it, I think of the 1000+ books lining a wall of my bedroom. I think of how impractical it is to have so many in a one-bedroom apartment. I think of how much they cost me when I purchased them new. I think of how much they cost me when I pay to have them moved. Convinced that my life would be better, or at least no worse, without them, I commit to getting rid of them. Once this decision is made, I promptly fire up my web browser and begin lusting after a new product that will solve my book storage problems while giving me my book-fix. Similarly, I have been lusting after the new MacBooks all day. As soon as I saw them, I thought how nice it would be to get rid of my larger desktop computer and my netbook and simplify into one, small, streamlined device.
Sometimes I use my desire for simplicity and minimalism as a crutch for consumerism. Not only is this process self-defeating – I am NEVER going to buy my way to simplicity – it is just stupid. Sometimes, the easiest path is the one that is hardest to see. We have all been trained to be consumers. In fact, almost our entire economy runs on consumer spending (mostly debt-fueled spending). Simplifying and minimalizing your life is easy and can be achieved in one step. Are you ready for it? Here it is:
- STOP.
See? That was easy wasn’t it. You didn’t even have to buy a new book to learn the answer. STOP worrying. STOP obsessing. STOP buying. Rather, start utlizing all of the tools that you have at your disposal right now. Be smart and inventive with those resources rather than blaming your inability to STOP on lacking the perfect tools.
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