My Life - My Travels

The minimalist lifestyle sounds great doesn’t it? No debt, no house payment, being able to pick up and move at a moments notice, etc, etc. Some people call it downshifting, some call it being an urban minimalist, and some call it being anti-consumerist. I call it being smart and getting back in touch with what I personally think life should be about.

I got laid off from work about 6 months ago. I was in IT and that is one of the worst markets to be in at this moment. I’ve had a few odd jobs here and there but nothing of any real value. I poked and prodded at my savings to get me by so I can eat and pay the important bills.

Things went from bad to worse as I lost my house and my credit card debt grew. I was getting calls everyday from the credit card companies. I wasn’t able to take much more. I started selling off my belongings in order to hopefully pay down my debts.

I sold my motorcycles, video games, and just about everything that I could make a buck off of. It helped more than I thought and it felt good. Before I knew it, my house had an echo. I had started to live a minimalist life style by force.

I had begun to enjoy the feeling of not having very much to my name and from that moment I decided I want to try and live as a minimalist.

I’m not much of a fan of work and the 9 to 5 rat race. I don’t like working 51 weeks a year to have 1 week of vacation. That ratio just doesn’t work for me.

I quickly made a list of what is important to me in life. What is it that I enjoy the most and puts a smile on my face. From that point, everything started to fall into place. My list was short but sweet. I had a plan, kinda. My first order of business was to continue on the path I had stumbled upon and get rid of everything I didn’t use or want.

My goal was to get a 1400 sq ft house full of stuff down to 10 mid-sized boxes which were to be stored at my parents house.  Downsize what I wanted to take with me as much as possible. And figure out the rest of my plan.

Minimalist Lifestyle - Theory