I decided that I had one too many large tables this week thats primary function just served to collect plates and trash.
I got rid of it and sort of had an existential moment of realization. I’m scraping the barrel on minimalism. Last year I moved into a small tent full time. Downsized my bed to a cot, made my own solar system, pump my water, and got rid of all my trinkets and toys.
I just don’t have much left to get rid of. Not much left to store or organize. No need for large tables, my smaller collapsable tables do what I need. All thats left is bare essential appliances, clothing, bedding, and daily use devices. just a little more I wouldn’t even need a shelf anymore.
I feel free. Like a weight is being lifted off of me. Possessing means maintenance and emotional attachment to objects. Each thing I get rid of feels like a win, like I’m letting go of something that I didn’t really need. The few things that stay I truly appreciate for what they provide me in life.
But I feel like I’m kind of weird for feeling these way. Its the societal norm to collect things, compare social status with objects, show off your ideaologoies and interest by decorations. The ‘dream’ for most people is a big home to fill with a spouce, kids, and things.
People get mad at the idea of ‘pod life’ and ‘owning nothing and being happy’, which I understand its about being g forced into poverty not minimalistic zen type letting go of attachment. But I personally feel like theres too much hoarding and consumerism in daily life.
I wish that nomadic minimal lifestyles were looked better upon by society and not equated to homelessness. I don’t have any stuff tying me down I want to explore my country without monthly apartment rents in an old van. Why is that wrong? Because I’m not making taxable property income or stimulating the economy with constant purchase?
Thanks. Talking about this stuff has been getting me weird looks from other people. Modern civilization is so ingrained that people haven’t thought to recognize the water they’re swimming in, and forget that the lifestyle we have today is less than 200 years old, and that’s it’s all escalating in an unsustainable way….
My friend, I take care of the people at the bus station near me, I have just decided they are my community and I show love for them
I go every night with hot water, cold water, medical provisions, hygiene, and some food
I make sure everybody’s okay, and I see what’s going on in their lives
It has built an insane amount of support in my community, I couldn’t even see it coming, I did what I did because that’s me, and then the results were profound?!
I walk down the street and people say hi and give me things. They know me as the guy with the rainbow hat.
Whattttt
I’m learning that everything you said in your comment is true
Edit, oh and yes, I actually feel that when I show the “normal world” the way that I live, I actually get a form of quasi-abuse back. It’s so bizarre to me