Minimalism is not Starving

Getting Started: Netflix Minimalism Documentary. There are lots of articles and blogs online on Minimalism, so I am not gona give any gyans on it. Just my two cents on its interpretation and how it has helped me in a few ways.

Let’s begin: Every time I bring up minimalism in a conversation, the initial (read, instinct) reaction has been - come ‘on I work really hard and earn money to be happy and happiness is definitely in getting the best of the things I like - Ok, I agree, the only question I have is - how many of each?

There is always this strange dilemma of need vs. want. We always want something - not because we need it, just because either it looks good or someone gave good reviews on it.

Its hard to acknowledge the fact that we all buy more than our need - unless we go through a declutter exercise. Below is the list of my declutter exercise - Not is any specific order… just the dump.

Gadgets:

Oculus VR headset and Echo Show - BTW, I didn’t buy them both - received as a gift for presenting at an engineering conference. I used the VR headset only once (yes, just once). We never felt good about using it, but neither was I reluctant to give it away. I thought someday I will use it, and after ~1.5yrs - that day never showed up and it was still eating dust. Thanks to minimalism; I had the courage to sell it and bought something I would use every day for my new house. Same with Echo Show, its on it way out.

Stationary:

Just the intent of de-clutter; i realized - I actually had a pack of pens 10nos (arg! my Frugal Instinct) + pencil(s) + sharpener(s) + rubber(s) lying on my desk - btw, they were my own stock and not my daughters 😉. Similarly, with notebooks: 3 + 1 (rough + Journal) + sticky notes etc..

Question: Do I need all of them? Obviously NO!. Now - I just have 1 notebook + 1 pen Period!! If my pen stops working or I lost my notebook - I will write it down on some digital platform (desktop or mobile -which doesn’t feel good), until I buy a new one. Thats Ok.

Headset(s):

There is a sense of guilt as I type this - I had accumulated almost 5 headsets (all working) and all for the same purpose - attend meetings. Minimalism enabled me to take a note:

OnePlus; Anker Soundbuds Slim; JBL Reflect Mini; Sony WH-1000XM3; Bose SoundSport

All 5 of them were lying on my desk. There were times; I kept juggling around with each one - as I wasn’t sure which one had charge. On hindsight - I couldn’t convince myself, what was so motivating to buy (read upgrade) a new one. It could have been some fancy ad or one bad experience.

Now I just use ONE and I have the discipline to ensure I charge it each and every day at night - so that it is ready and available for the next day. For now the remaining ones are packed together and tucked away - I might sell it soon.

Shoes:

I had 5 (2 Running and 3 Badminton) - I don’t remember the last time I had played badminton; and about Running? Stop joking. Donated 3 of them and I am left with 2nos (1 each).

Question: Why did I buy 3 Badminton shoes? Well, if you have been playing in a club - this is bound to happened (depends on your will power) -as your fellow mates might advise 1) Cushion in your shoe looks very slim, it might not take the impact and damage your knee 2) The grip doesn’t look good, you might slip and hurt yourself etc..They were right, but the point is - There is ALWAYS something better out there; and you will never feel the sense of satisfaction…

Only Keyboard:

No mouse? Seriously?- Agree, this might sound a bit weird. I started with putting my mouse in the drawer. It was pretty challenging when starting off - but it’s possible.

What did I do? Started learning and using VIM extension - like For Chrome and For VSCode. Browsing without mouse is a strange feeling, but its awesome - try it out, you might not go back to using a mouse! - also, makes you feel a bit geeky 😁. BTW, how is this related to Minimalism? Well, I had 3 mouse (fear of - it stops working and lockdown 😟)

How VIM helped me as a developer (read, coding)? I will write a separate blog. BTW, VIM is 30yr old.

Clothes:

I don’t think anyone can escape this. Buying new clothes for a festival is not optional, and we have quite a few of them + sale. A Sunday evening declutter exercise - to my surprise I was able to get rid of ~60% of my wardrobe (donated), esp. the once which I thought would fit me (read, I will slim down) someday - and it’s been years. Now my cupboard looks very familiar (read neat) - I know exactly how many clothes I have and I can actually see each one of them 😍.

I have just started off with Minimalism, not sure how far and long - I would get along - But, for now the change it has brought it… I am really liking it and esp I am NOT STARVING!!